Pritchardia Species, Fiji Fan Palm

Pritchardia pacifica evokes a true sense of the tropics- it's hard not to think of Hawaii, or other South Pacific locales when gazing upo...Read Moren this palm. It appears to grow well in the southern half of Florida, as long as it is grown relatively close to the coast. The interior portions of South Florida are likely to be too cold. Having said this, there is a matter of serious concern when choosing this gorgeous palm for the landscape. This palm is extremely susceptible to PLY, or "Lethal Yellow" which is so prevalent in Florida. This disease is apparently on the rise again, so you would most definitely be taking a chance in planting one. In fact, according to sources with the University of FL, susceptible species from Miami Dade as well as Monroe and Broward counties should not be planted elsewhere to help prevent the spread. The aforementioned region has been ravaged by this disease. There is a wealth of information regarding this disease, as well as a few somewhat effective means of preventing it's spread. There is no "cure" for this disease, only prevention. Hopefully, the many beautiful examples of this palm in Florida won't soon be history. As with many of the beautiful exotic palms, it is wise to check on the species' susceptibility to this disease. Many palm species are affected- more that the "Panama Tall" coconuts most associate with this disastrous disease.

This palm can survive Southern Ca, but not at the coast, and not too far inland. 8 - 20 miles away from the caost and you could have this...Read More palm survive, although you would have to wait double the time ot have it survive. In Fallbrook, one of these palms is surviving well.

This is one of the most beautiful Pritchardia species with large, nearly round, barely split, flat fan leaves with many leaves held in th...Read Moree crown. You can see these trees all over the Hawaiian public landscaping. This species is particularly tolerant of salty soils, making it an excellent choice for planting along the coasts in the tropics. You won't see any in southern California, though, as it is too tropical a species for us here. Too bad.

A lot of confusing exist in telling this species from another common non-Hawaiian palm, P thurstonii. The latter is a bit smaller in the leaf, a tad less 'perfect' looking, and has very long inflorescences that hang down like pompoms (often cut off by gardners), while the inflorescences in this palm, though similar in shape, are on much shorter stems that stay within the leaves. There may be other differences, but I am no expert on those.

It is erroneously mentioned below that there is one growing well in Fallbrook... another species sadly. I have seen one miserable seedling surviving in El Cajon (San Diego county) but hardly worth it. So many other species of Pritchardia grow well here so spend your time and effort on those.