Phoenix canariensis cv. Benchijigua

Phoenix canariensis is widely cultivated in the world. However, how well do we actually know this species and did you ever grow a 100% true to type canariensis? Nearly all Phoenix canariensis in cultivation today originate from the north of the island of Tenerife. From here large palms and seed was transported to the Mediterranean where they were planted as ornamental trees in the Victorian era. These trees multiplied and spread over the world, hybridizing with other Phoenix species. Nowadays it is safe to say that all Phoenix canariensis in cultivation have some hybrid ancestry in them. Even worse, even on the canary islands a recent genetic study has shown that all wild stands of Phoenix canariensis carry genetics of other Phoenix species except for some populations on La Gomera island. This can already be seen in the morphology of the wild populations (please also see our article on Phoenix canariensis). On La Gomera Phoenix canariensis palms are grown for the production of palm wine on ancient terraces. The Benchijigua cultivar originates from the agricultural town of Benchijigua in La Gomera and is used to produce palm wine. This Phoenix canariensis is morphologically distinct by having much longer and wider seedling leaves. These palms grow the largest of any canariensis. The climate is much more humid and much cooler throughout the year. Growth speed of this cultivar is insane compared to other canariensis, in our greenhouse we grew 2 meter high palms from seed in just 4 years! Growth seems to start a month earlier compared to other canariensis palms in our greenhouse and stops a month later nearing winter. Laboratory cold tolerance tests showed a similar cold tolerance to other canariensis but the fact that it grows well in colder summer temperatures and has great vigour makes it very interesting for colder climates.