r/palmtalk

It's so hard to know when you are actually dealing with a pure Washingtonia Filifera (California Fan Palm) when you are at the nursery or Lowe's or Home Depot. They're generally and almost always now Filibusta hybrids. I live in Palm Springs, the literal home both spiritual and literal of the California Fan Palm. In fact there's s as beautiful 75-80 year old one right in front of my gallery. I collected some fresh seed, actually let them dry out and then simply tried to recreate the dynamics in nature.

I planted them into soil in these party cups. I kept the soil moist and after a few weeks in the shade moved them into sporadic sunlight. The desert conditions I felt would give these a real chance. After about 60 days and when I thought there was no hope. I saw the first little head poked out. These are now 4 weeks after they sprouted. Someday they will be gentle giants with pure Filifera dna. Now I have to start thinking about where they will go! I live in a condo complex, I think I'll conspire with the property landscaper and have him help me plant these and watch out for them until they become safe on their own.

I’d like to clean up the base of my palms, but want to make sure I’m not doing any serious damage while doing so. Is exposing these vertical lines going too deep? I tested on an inconspicuous area just in case this isn’t right.

Hey everyone! I moved back to California—specifically inland in the SF East Bay Area—and I’ve wanted to start growing palms on my own since I got back. It seems like God heard my prayers and blessed me with a baby California fan palm growing in the tan bark strip right in front of my apartment.

In early January, I used a shovel to remove it from the ground and transplant it into a small pot. It lost two of its fronds due to transplant shock, but now its main spear is finally starting to grow again. I marked the spear with a green Sharpie to track its growth, and seeing the progress gave me the confidence to add one cup of Jobe’s palm fertilizer.

I was wondering if anyone has tips on how to help this palm start growing faster!

Removed a hedge that had been bugging me that hugged our driveway and added some Archontophoenix hybrids to join the 30 other palms in the front yard.

These hybrids prove very hardy compared to either parents here in Perth, Western Australia. The climate here is similar to Arizona for y’all in the states, most palms here get battered by the relentless summer heat..