Description
Archontophoenix – King Palm
There are 6 species of majestic single stemmed palms from rainforest in East Australia in this genus. They bear large pinnate (2 regular rows along either side of the fronds midribs) leaves are arranged in terminal tuft above a prominent crown shaft. It produces large panicles or racemes of separate female and male flowers on the same plant of fragrant cup to star shaped flowers that attract insects are borne beneath the frond. Old fronds fall cleanly from trunk so shouldn’t be cut and they leave ringed scars. Cherry sized red fruit follows flowers.
When grown indoors grow in soilless potting mix in bright filtered light with moderate humidity. During growing season water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Keep just moist in winter,
When grown outdoors grow in fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained soil in partial shade to prevent leaf scorch in frost-free site. Can tolerate boggy conditions.
Prone to spider mites, Helminthosporium leaf spot, and Phytophtora root rot and aerial blight.
Archontophoenix Cunninghamiana – Bangalow Palm – Illawarra Palm – Piccabeen Palm – Seaforthia Palm – This slender stemmed palm from Queensland grows 50-70’ feet tall and bears a crown 6-15’ feet wide. It has a less swollen trunk then Archontophoenix alexandrae thou, it has the characteristic ring trunk. From sheathed greenish bases bear arching pinnate leaves 6-12’ long consisting of many lance shaped gray-green or light green leaflets with green undersides. When mature in summer it bears small lilac flowers in large pendent racemes to 24-36” long followed by ovoid red fruit. More tolerant to extremely light frost and is more shade tolerant.
Zones 9-11
