Royal Palm Source?

Hello!

For YEARS, I have been looking for a source from which to buy a decently-sized Florida or Cuban Royal Palm (Roystonea elata or Roystonea regia) that wouldn't break the bank. I'm not talking about a 15-foot tree, just one about three feet tall. A good start to making my yard look tropical and cool (while sweltering in this Louisiana heat).

I recently paid $15.77 EACH plus $4.00 shipping EACH for these three pitiful specimens on eBay (NO - the plants were not pictured in the auction and were advertised as 6- to 12-inch seedlings). And the planter was not included (they arrived in a Baggie).

So I am disgusted. Perhaps someone in these forums knows of a source from which I can purchase a little palm tree?

Or, if you have had some experience with growing palms, perhaps you could let me know approximately how long it would take to attain a three-foot size if I grew some from seeds?

Thank you for any information and/or help you can provide.

well, I hope you described this in your feedback on ebay. There are ways to get your money back, this is false advertising.

I would sure go to them and complain. That was a real rip off.

I would go here and order the buyers guide. It might give you some places to order the palm.
http://www.pbwga.com/growguid99.htm

I'm still looking.

This message was edited Friday, Mar 28th 1:08 PM

How cold do you get there in Louisiana? I have never heard of a Royal palm surviving there, but that's not my area. If it ever gets below 28F, they could be a tough grow there. Usually they are easy to find in the climates they do well (like very Southern California and the bottom 1/3 of Florida). Royals are cheap and grow very fast, so even if you get a seedling and keep in warm and humid, it may surprise you how fast it will be a big tree.

PALMBOB: Once in a while we will get a "hard" freeze, whereby the temperature will drop to 28-degrees Fahrenheit and stay there (or lower) for four hours or more. But that is not common.

There is a house in my neighborhood with Queen palms in the front yard, and they seem to be doing well. Additionally, I have seen palm trees growing in and around the New Orleans area and they generally appear to be in good condition.

This probably is not the optimum growing area for palms but, evidently, you can "push the zone" here.

Thanks for the information and for letting me know that Royals are fast growers. I have recently purchased five Cuban Royal palm seeds and I've got to give them a try. They are SO beautiful. Again, thanks.

LAsweetp, you might also try these palms:

Mediterranean Fan Palm
(Chamaerops humilis)
Chinese Fan Palm
(Livistona chinensis)
Canary Island Date Palm
(Phoenix roebelenii)
Lady Palm
(Rhapis excelsa)
Windmill Palm
(Trachycarpus fortunei)
Sabal Dwarf Palm
(Sabal minor)

If you get a chance, maybe call the Botanical Gardens of New Orleans, ask them to give you the number to the Palm Soc. of New Orleans, there is a man named Joe that heads the soceity, he is very knowledgeable about palms for our area. I've talked to him already when I had a question and he was very helpful.

~The beautiful plams you see gracing most of New Orleans are the Canary Is. Palms, they are by far my favorite.

Hope this helps. ~ Lisa

http://www.palmsandgardens.org/catalogv3/

http://www.utopiapalmsandcycads.com/

http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/index2.shtml

http://www.cycads-n-palms.com/

Adam.

LISA: Thanks! I'll give Joe a call. Might turn up something local. I appreciate the suggestion.

ADAM: THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I had already contacted Cycads & Palms and one of the other links shows that I CAN purchase a reasonably-sized palm tree! I am delighted!

Thank you both so much!