Post #513194 by gonzo on Wed, Feb 24, 2010 1:39 PM

I know a thng or two about palms.

Kentia palm (Howea Forsterina) is a hands down favorite. Kentia palm will give you the minicoconut palm look. Kentias are tough. Kentia palm will flourish in the shade in a pot. If exposed to full sun would do better in the ground. Dont overwater especially in the winter. Overwatering palm tree is probably more common than under watering. They rot and turn yellow.

Kentias will do well near the coast in the ground full sun. Inland they will need shade.

I dont understand why there arent more of these grown in Califonia.

Miracle grow or the little time delay fertilizers (osmocote or dynamite) per the instructions. Palms are light feeders so dont overdo it.

Coconut palms predictably die at 45 degrees. Home depot used to sell coconuts. They may still do. If you can keep it warm in the winter go for it. Besides Home depot has the dead plant turn in program. Just go get another free.

google junglemusic.com for about 200 hundred other palms that grow here. Cycads are cool too btw.