Growing date palms in Puna (1000')

[Malapuaao]

Phoenix roebelenii is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, so I think this is a variety of date palm that might actually grow in Puna, has anyone tried it ~1000'?

(I think there is a batch of clones growing in Kona, posted on CL).


aloha

[leilaniguy]

I live at 950'. I have one in my yard, a neighbor has a row of them across his frontage, they seem to grow fine here. Note that they have very sharp spines, you may not want them where you might bump into one.

[Malapuaao]

Thanks, that's great news. How do you like its fruit?

aloha

[leilaniguy]

The fruit is just a skin over the hard seed. I've never tried eating it.

[holeinursery]

aloha,
Phoenix robelinii is known as the dwarf date palm and grows well in Puna at that elevation 1000'. It is planted quite often in yards in Hilo. In Hamakua I have tended rows of the palm at about 300'. Leilani and Pahoa area should be fine, up to Kurtistown area. It can handle more rainfall than the Date Palm, Phoenix dactylifera, which likes to grow in arid dry, areas, such as Puako,Hawaii Island, Haleiwa,Oahu, and Kekaha,Kauai.