Archontophoenix ID

[LakewoodPalm]

Hi all. Can anyone ID this archontophoenix? Is it an Alexandrae or possibly even Maxima? I do notice the larger trunk but not so confident in making an assessment of the fronds.  Someone is putting it up for sale and am considering it. Thanks!

 

 

[James B]

Looks like Alexandrae. Take a close up underneath the fronds. If there is ramenta it’s Cunninghamiana if not and it’s silvery it’s Alexandrae. But learning Alex based on the color of the internodes. 

[aztropic]

Just something to be aware of - Archontophoenix palms are not good survivors when roots get cut during digging and transplanting. Much safer,and cheaper in the long run to just plant one out from a pot.

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[Palmiz]

I agree, the trunk probably will get a deformed shape after transplant shock if it survives and you'll be stuck with it.  I would also go with a new palm like what aztropic said. They are easily found also, pm if you need some suppliers around. I live in the same city as you

Edited July 10, 2023 by Palmiz

[LakewoodPalm]

Thanks all. Not interested in getting it anymore.

[Darold Petty]

Yah, what aztropic said,  Archontophoenix is not a good candidate for transplant.  

[James B]

To put it into context: when I left my old house in October I wanted to take as many palms as possible. I dug up a Cocoa which survived only to keep fighting through the worst winter in years eventually succumbing in March.

I stopped trying to dig up palms after I killed a purple hued Archontophoenix Tuckeri that was 8 feet tall. It quickly died within 24 hours. 
 

That’s how root sensitive they are compared to Cocos Nucifera. 

[BayAndroid]

2 hours ago, James B said:

To put it into context: when I left my old house in October I wanted to take as many palms as possible. I dug up a Cocoa which survived only to keep fighting through the worst winter in years eventually succumbing in March.

I stopped trying to dig up palms after I killed a purple hued Archontophoenix Tuckeri that was 8 feet tall. It quickly died within 24 hours. 
 

That’s how root sensitive they are compared to Cocos Nucifera. 

24 hours... wow. 

They're so thirsty that once they lose so much of their root system, that's it... Luckily they are rocket ship palms.