Strap leaves

[Jerrrod]

Hi guys, I’m sure that this has been asked numerous times but I guess I’m too lazy right now to look for it. I keep getting distracted by the different threads while trying. LOL. How long do palms usually take before they get mature leaves instead of the thin ribbons. I have European (4 leaves),  pindo or California (2 leaves, can tell which one but I think pindo because it’s growing slower than everyone), 2 cidp (5 leaves), 2 silver dates (5 leaves). Excuse the pindo/California, the grasshoppers got to it before I could spray.

[PalmatierMeg]

Depends on the palm species, location and climate. In zone 10a in FL they might throw adult leaves in 2-3 years. In your 7b climate that might take 3-5 years or more.

[Las Palmas Norte]

And just to add, there's transitional stage where the fronds in many cases are no longer strap or mature.  A mix of both forms exist for a period of time.

[SeanK]

1 hour ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Depends on the palm species, location and climate. In zone 10a in FL they might throw adult leaves in 2-3 years. In your 7b climate that might take 3-5 years or more.

To this I will add that Trachycarpus will probably show split leaves in year-3, but S.minor is very slow.

[Jerrrod]

Ok, thanks guys. One more thing, are they planted too low or high?

[Harry’s Palms]

It takes a while for the palm to get through the juvenile stage. Here in Southern California , the fastest one for me is Washingtonia . Syagrus , Butia , and others can take a few years. This Syagrus Schizophylla is 5 years old and starting to get out of the single strap phase. Harryyou can see the straps beginning to divide and window , eventually they will become more feather shaped. 

[Jerrrod]

Great, how do you know when to plant them in the ground? I know that makes them grow faster. All of them except for the dates spent last winter in an unheated room in the unheated part of my house next to a window. It got so cold that a pothos was in a water bottle and it froze solid. It’s actually growing like a weed now. All in all I was trying to harden them off, so they can stand the cold.

[Harry’s Palms]

They are still very young , too young to withstand a winter unless you have a way to keep them warm. You may want to wait a year at least. Harry

[Chester B]

I would wait until they are past the strap leaf stage in your climate to stick them in the ground.  Sabal minor might be the one you can get out sooner.

[Jerrrod]

Ok, but are they planted at the correct height? Also, I just got these two yesterday, when can I plant them outside? They’re about 3’ each.

[jwitt]

Strap leaves stop on the fifth leaf on filifera hybrid seeded in place or potted in my zone 7b.

Seeds started 6/22023

[Jerrrod]

Good, my European just started a 5th leaf. For some reason it’s growing way faster than anything else. At least as far as palms go.