Phoenix Rupicola Triple at 14 years

[sonoranfans]

When I was living in Arizona in 2008, I saw a really nice p. rupicola triple at treeland in chandler.  I was inspired by the curved trunks and nice green canopy.  When I moved to florida I found a nursery MB palms that carried 1g size rupicolas.  I liked the rupicola for its cold tolerance(26F) and its bright green foliage.  It also has thorns that don't hurt you, they bend at the base of the thorn.  Having been stabbed many times by my various phoenix species I grew in Arizona,  I was interested in a pain free trimming process.  This triple was planted in early summer 2011 and has been a slow, easy care grower.  I thought it might be a permanent hedge but now it looks as if its going to be exactly what I wanted, an attractive medium height canopy for filtering hot western sun.  It has fruited 3x the last one a full load of striking red fruits(sorry, no picture).  The three palms grew away from each other more than any triple I ever tried, no need to tilt a palm when planting.  Here is a pic taken today of the overall palm, and a close up of the trunks. just after a post hurricane Milton trim of the many(30-35) dead leaves  After many of my other palms have grown tall and more difficult to view into the crown this one still gives a nice crown view.  Anybody out there have phoenix rupicola pic/experiences. they would like to share.  For scale, the fence is 4'.

[gyuseppe]

 

[gyuseppe]

 

[Phoenikakias]

46 minutes ago, gyuseppe said:

 

You have to observe the spines. Spines of rupicola bend and do not spread much at different directions. For me it is pure rupicola. 

[Phoenikakias]

1 hour ago, sonoranfans said:

When I was living in Arizona in 2008, I saw a really nice p. rupicola triple at treeland in chandler.  I was inspired by the curved trunks and nice green canopy.  When I moved to florida I found a nursery MB palms that carried 1g size rupicolas.  I liked the rupicola for its cold tolerance(26F) and its bright green foliage.  It also has thorns that don't hurt you, they bend at the base of the thorn.  Having been stabbed many times by my various phoenix species I grew in Arizona,  I was interested in a pain free trimming process.  This triple was planted in early summer 2011 and has been a slow, easy care grower.  I thought it might be a permanent hedge but now it looks as if its going to be exactly what I wanted, an attractive medium height canopy for filtering hot western sun.  It has fruited 3x the last one a full load of striking red fruits(sorry, no picture).  The three palms grew away from each other more than any triple I ever tried, no need to tilt a palm when planting.  Here is a pic taken today of the overall palm, and a close up of the trunks. just after a post hurricane Milton trim of the many(30-35) dead leaves  After many of my other palms have grown tall and more difficult to view into the crown this one still gives a nice crown view.  Anybody out there have phoenix rupicola pic/experiences. they would like to share.  For scale, the fence is 4'.

Perhaps ot almost surely the most tricky exotic Phoenix in my garden. It hates salts, it hates too alkaline soil, it hates too wet but also too dry, it hates full summer sun in a dry environment but is also susceptible to scales during summer. I begin considering whether it hates me too and wants to depart...

[sonoranfans]

20 minutes ago, Phoenikakias said:

Perhaps ot almost surely the most tricky exotic Phoenix in my garden. It hates salts, it hates too alkaline soil, it hates too wet but also too dry, it hates full summer sun in a dry environment but is also susceptible to scales during summer. I begin considering whether it hates me too and wants to depart...

Mine seems to like the summer rains but its in high drainage soil.  My experience in Arizona was that in full sun with high heat and dry humidity will most palms will need plenty of water.   The low humidity plus intense sun plus heat each elevate evapotranspiration losses.  The one in treeland saw 110F+ days(~30 per year) and  very low humidity for the spring dry season as low as 6%.  Treeland has a water feature near it ensuring plenty of water and it  was somewhat protected by other palms from the western sun(the worst sun damage after a long sunny/dry day).  I think in the dry hot times, lots of water is necessary.   I do feel fortunate hearing of your challenges, perhaps summer florida rain and not my gardening skills are responsible for the health of my rupicolas.   

[Fusca]

Awesome palms Tom!  I bought this field dug rupicola in 2023.  Perhaps now I have a better understanding of why it didn't survive a full year for me in alkaline soil during a hot drought in spite of adequate irrigation.  I don't think it was 100% pure since the thorns were fairly rigid.  Interestingly last year I planted one that I grew from seed and it's doing fine - no damage at 27°F.

[gyuseppe]

1 hour ago, Phoenikakias said:

Perhaps ot almost surely the most tricky exotic Phoenix in my garden. It hates salts, it hates too alkaline soil, it hates too wet but also too dry, it hates full summer sun in a dry environment but is also susceptible to scales during summer. I begin considering whether it hates me too and wants to depart...

Konstantinos, they are doing great here, one of the best species to grow, I have 3 in the garden, I like them so much and they don't need any care

[Mazat]

On 3/5/2025 at 5:42 PM, sonoranfans said:

When I was living in Arizona in 2008, I saw a really nice p. rupicola triple at treeland in chandler.  I was inspired by the curved trunks and nice green canopy.  When I moved to florida I found a nursery MB palms that carried 1g size rupicolas.  I liked the rupicola for its cold tolerance(26F) and its bright green foliage.  It also has thorns that don't hurt you, they bend at the base of the thorn.  Having been stabbed many times by my various phoenix species I grew in Arizona,  I was interested in a pain free trimming process.  This triple was planted in early summer 2011 and has been a slow, easy care grower.  I thought it might be a permanent hedge but now it looks as if its going to be exactly what I wanted, an attractive medium height canopy for filtering hot western sun.  It has fruited 3x the last one a full load of striking red fruits(sorry, no picture).  The three palms grew away from each other more than any triple I ever tried, no need to tilt a palm when planting.  Here is a pic taken today of the overall palm, and a close up of the trunks. just after a post hurricane Milton trim of the many(30-35) dead leaves  After many of my other palms have grown tall and more difficult to view into the crown this one still gives a nice crown view.  Anybody out there have phoenix rupicola pic/experiences. they would like to share.  For scale, the fence is 4'.

Great🤗

[Mazat]

On 3/5/2025 at 5:42 PM, sonoranfans said:

When I was living in Arizona in 2008, I saw a really nice p. rupicola triple at treeland in chandler.  I was inspired by the curved trunks and nice green canopy.  When I moved to florida I found a nursery MB palms that carried 1g size rupicolas.  I liked the rupicola for its cold tolerance(26F) and its bright green foliage.  It also has thorns that don't hurt you, they bend at the base of the thorn.  Having been stabbed many times by my various phoenix species I grew in Arizona,  I was interested in a pain free trimming process.  This triple was planted in early summer 2011 and has been a slow, easy care grower.  I thought it might be a permanent hedge but now it looks as if its going to be exactly what I wanted, an attractive medium height canopy for filtering hot western sun.  It has fruited 3x the last one a full load of striking red fruits(sorry, no picture).  The three palms grew away from each other more than any triple I ever tried, no need to tilt a palm when planting.  Here is a pic taken today of the overall palm, and a close up of the trunks. just after a post hurricane Milton trim of the many(30-35) dead leaves  After many of my other palms have grown tall and more difficult to view into the crown this one still gives a nice crown view.  Anybody out there have phoenix rupicola pic/experiences. they would like to share.  For scale, the fence is 4'.

The various phoenix species are simply beautiful, I liked them even as a young boy on near the beach in Lanzarote, most of which were probably CIDP ...