Palm growth... How long is this gonna take?

Hello! I am about to purchase several palm trees: A Carpoxylon macrospermum, a Roystonea regia (Cuban Royal Palm), and a Wodyetia bifurcata (foxtail).

The foxtail is five- to six-feet, in a three-gallon pot (only $16). Same for the Roystonea regia (Cuban Royal Palm). The foxtail and Cuban royal are the largest that Palms & Gardens will ship, so I'm okay with that.

But I was wondering about the Carpoxylon.

The description lists the growth rate as 'Moderate.' I am 50 years old. Am I going to be DEAD before I see any real growth into anything resembling a mature tree?

I can get a one- to two-foot Carpoxylon for $90, a three- to four-foot one for $175, and a six- to seven-foot one for $500.

Some information as to the real rate of growth would help me decide which size to purchase.

Also, does anyone have any knowledge about the pricing of the Carpos? They are supposed to be rare -- almost extinct -- and come from one island in the Pacific. I have no idea if the Carpo prices are reasonable.

If anyone has any information, I'd appreciate hearing it. Thank you! -- Jean

Hi Jean,
We are traveling to New Iberia today to listen to several lectures. One of them will be by Grant Stephenson:"Bamboo & Hardy Plams for the Gulf Coast Region." I will print your question and let him answer it. I will post it for you either tonight or tomorrow. (We might be back late)

Did you get my email the other day? Would you like me to send you a veggie planting guide for your/our area? It lets you know when and what you can plant at the right times of the year. If you are interested, send me your snail mail addy, but be sure to put a subject on the line! :-)

Oh, Lisa, that is so kind of you. Thank you!

NO, I didn't get your e-mail, but Yes, I'd love to have the vegetable guide. The one I have on my Web site is from years and years ago, and is probably out-of-date.

I'll send an e-mail to you and my name, Jean, will be in the subject line. Again, thanks!

Jean-
Well, shoots, I am dressed up with no place to go...my hubby just called me and we are not going to make it to the lecture today...he is tied up at a job site..(just wish he would have called me BEFORE I ironed my shirt *grin*I hate ironing..lol)It is times like these when I wish I had a garden buddy near by to make these lectures with me.
If I were you, I'd email this question to: dgill@agcenter.lsu.edu That is Dan Gills email addy..he could answer your question. I think I remember him saying that Fox Tails were not a good choice for here, but I am not sure.

I will be looking for your snail mail addy!

Wodyetias are fast growers, especially in your heat.. .but they can't tolerate your cold in Lousiana, so bring in in cold weather. It should have trunk in 1-3 years, and look like an adult in 3-5. The royal palm will grow even faster, but again, worried about cold in your area. Royals don't like staying in pots, so if you have a south facing wall that is protected, plant it right against the house and pray it never freezes there. It can get huge in just 3-5 years (and I mean huge). The Carpoxylon is an extremely tropical plant and unless you have a greenhouse with lots of room I'd forget that one. No where in the continental US can that palm survive outdoors, except MAYBE the Florida keys. It is very slow, but one of the best looking palms you can grow in Hawaii. It is slow even in the tropics with a seedling taking about 5-10 years to even start showing a trunk, and another 10-15 years to look like an adult. Very touchy plant, too.

Looks like I missed my chance for a date!LOL!

Lisa, you have mail.

Palmbob, thanks for the information. I love the look of that little Carpoxylum, but would certainly hate to lose such an expensive tree. I AM willing to experiment though (I'm waiting for two lilac trees and a cherry tree to be delivered -- I like trying to grow things 'outside of the zone').

One of the local shopping malls has indoor trees resembling the Carpo. I called, many times, trying to ascertain information about the trees' name and where they were procured. No luck. Someone said the palms started with an "A" (gee, THAT was helpful).

I hate hot (so why am I living in coastal Louisiana???). I want to create a tropical setting in a corner of the yard, so that when I look out the window, I can see something soothing and cool-looking. I bought a little palm and a bunch of bird-of-paradise plants (have to go out and see if they survived the winter). Any plant suggestions?

Again, thank you for your help.