How fast do plants grow in Florida? Take a look.

15 years ago

This is a photographic study of a Washingtonia robusta - Mexican Fan Palm that we grew in New Jersey for almost 20 years before moving it to Florida and putting it in the ground. The palm grew in a 24" terra cotta pot in our livingroom and was moved onto the deck, facing south, as soon as the weather turned warm.

The palm grew from 4' to almost 30' in seven years before it was struck by lightning and killed.

The first picture - July 1998 - shows the palm a week after it came off the moving van and went into the ground.

The second - April 2001 - really gives you an idea of how these things grow in the correct climate.

And the last - May 2005 - was taken about 5 weeks before it was hit by lightning in the middle of an afternoon thunderstorm.

Take note of the Bismarck to its left, by the way. That palm is now over 25' high with a 20' spread.

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Comments (10)

susieq07
15 years ago
Absolutely, we live here 28 years, and have seen many people come from other area's like the NE and plant, plant, plant, not knowing in a short time they will have a jungle to contend with....we know we live in a natural hothouse! they learn the hard way...we have always done our own landscaping, and start with little trees, plants etc. they are fun to watch grow!
jerzeegirl
15 years ago
When I moved here from NJ, I brought a ficus (I am embarrassed to say) with me in the car and one of those tiny desk Christmas trees (Norfolk Island Pine). How silly, right? We put them in the ground for fun and only a few years later had to pull both of them out because they became obnoxiously huge (over 15 feet at least)! But then the things I want to grow - like Hosta - bite the dust.
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hehe thank you brandon... well obviously these grew quite a bit more than 20" in one year. I don't know what is awkward about the way they are growing though. I will google some images. I like they way they are forming. Nice low branches that I may just have to climb one day to pick some cherries. I will be 55 and climbing trees, never put it past me. I like unique anyway. I released them from the ties today. I only tied them because earlier this Spring, we were getting constant heavy winds and storms from the northwest and they were beginning to all lean toward the southeast. I kind of wanted them to grow nice and straight before I started shaping them. When I planted them, which is in red sand, I dug a large hole in a low point where a tree was once before. The previous owner of this place removed a lot of trees years and years ago. So I let these spots of low ground be my planting points... back in our woods, my husband pushed up a bunch of brush and decaying matter in a pile... it sat for about 3 years... I added 2 wheelbarrow loads of this semi compost to the red sand. Last year, when I watered, I would just let the hose barely trickle at the base and soak in really deep. I will contribute that to the extremely fast growth. The very tall one was actually just 2 straight stalks. I topped it this year before it sprouted in hopes that it would branch out, in which it did. Awkward or not, I just love the way they are turning out. I will learn about pruning. I always apologize to them when I ever have to cut a plant. When I plant things, I welcome them home and wish them luck. If they make it, wonderful, if not, I plant something else.
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In the Poconos, rhododendrons will be hardier for you than evergreen azaleas. Deciduous azaleas are hardy also. The plants are usually rated as to their height after 10 years. Low is 3', Medium is 4-5', and 6' or more is tall. There is a good website where you can look them up to see their height and their hardiness. You want a hardiness of at least -15F and -20F to -25F is better. Also, since you get late frosts, I would not select an early blooming plant. Late frosts will kill the flowers. Select a plant that is mid-season or late blooming. Now is too early to buy plants that are blooming. The frosts we are getting will kill the flowers. Wait until around May 15 and check the weather forcast. The ones that are blooming will have their flowers killed by late frosts. Azaleas give a mass of color, but after the flowers fade, the plant is not as attractive as a rhododendron. Rhododendrons have larger flowers that are spectacular close up and make an excellent shrub when they are not in bloom. The nursery prices are good. The larger plants will always be a year or two ahead of the smaller plants. Locally grown plants do best. The big box plants were grown in a warmer climate and will struggle for a couple years. For some suggestions on plants check the ones listed for Central PA in the following list: Proven Performers Here is a link that might be useful: Plant Data (select either Rhododendrons or Azaleas)
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It depends on how big they were when you receive them, the length of your growing season and the care they get. You do not have to feed them much fertilizer as they are not heavy feeders like roses. They can get 8' tall though. I will see if others in Z5 will comment on how fast theirs got to 4' (and from what starting size); it should be interesting. Most Macs that I have reach 3-4' in two years from a 5g pot but I have a slower growing Glowing Embers that is still about 2-3'.
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suegrew
15 years ago
Whoa Ricky!!!!!! It really did take off! Of course you have the green thumb and not pure luck so I'm not that surprised. I'm so tempted to send your post to old friends up in NJ, but why bother? We all know and love how quickly our "plant buddies" adapt to the abundant sunshine, warmth and humidity, so let's just keep it our secret.
Thanks for the before and after,
Sue
wanna_run_faster
15 years ago
Wow, Ricky, was picture one really what it looked like before you got started?

You should post a picture of the tree you have in the backyard that also came down on the truck from Jersey.
acoreana
15 years ago
That is amazing! I'm wishing I had thrown some palms in the ground on the day we closed :).

Your home is absolutely beautiful.

Could you please share what that plant is right in front of the Bismark?
tannatonk23_fl_z9a
15 years ago
Fantastic palms! Too bad lightning took out the fan palm. That's a little too close to home!!!
~Betsy
fawnridge (Ricky)
Original Author
15 years ago
Helen - I'll have to search through my photos for one of the Yucca.

acoreana - That's an Agave americana "variegata". It bloomed a couple of years ago and was removed.
mistiaggie
15 years ago
In the past two weeks I have noticed a considerable amount of growth and with the rains this past week, wow! I am going out of town this weekend but I know I will be working in the yard after work next week!!
acoreana
15 years ago
Thank you.

Off to do some reading up on'em right now.
tony_k_orlando
15 years ago
What happened to the GRASS??????

Nice work Ricky!

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How fast do plants grow in Florida? Take a look.

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How fast do plants grow in Florida? Take a look.

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