Plant size

[Pachrian]

I have a bit of a stupid question, but I wasn't able to find an answer anywhere online.

I noticed that one of my dwarf palm trees is now quite a bit taller than it's predicted maximum height. That made me wonder, what happens to plants (hibiscus in particular) once they reach that maximum size?

[helixturnhelix]

Hi Ulli

Plants have what we call indeterminate growth, meaning that they will continue to grow as long as they are alive and healthy.  Your Dwarf Palms will continue to grow, but when they reach their predicted height their growing usually slows down significantly so you dont really notice it.  The same is true for Hibiscus.  They can reach a larger size than predicted but between pruning them to look nice and them slowing their growth down alot around their predicted size you should have a good idea as to what size the adult plant will be. 

Fish also are indeterminate growers, so what they say is true, the larger the fish, usually the older.

Hope this helps

[Doll]

I know what you mean about the dwarf palms. I have 3 dwarf rhapsis palms that I have had for 20 years. All 3 are over 10 feet tall now. It's hard to consider them dwarf any longer.

[Charlie]

Thanks for that explanation, Chris. I've seen the common red hibiscus 'Brilliant' grow to about 30 feet next to a hotel in Santa Monica about a half mile from the ocean. I guessed 30 feet because it was up to the top of the balcony of the 3rd story rooms before they pruned it back to about 10 feet. Many people have commented on the "trees" of Kona hibiscus that grow in similar situations near the ocean in Los Angeles. The call them trees because the trunks are a foot thick and you can stand under the lowest branches to get some shade! Most are at least 40 years old.

Charlie

[Pachrian]

Charlie, those are some serious hibiscus you're talking about. Can you imagine a 30 foot tall Bridal Path? That would be a sight to see... On the other hand some of us would be in a lot of trouble if we had to bring giants like this into the house for the winter 

Chris, thank you so much for explaining plant growth to me...very interesting stuff. It makes me wonder if plant growth slows down because it gets more difficult for the plant to transport the nutrients to the tips of the branches the further away the tips are from the roots. I would think that blooming slows down too?