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Archontophoenix alexandrae


Jim in Los Altos

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26F minimum, very little frost. My unprotected almost 3' tall one is showing about 40% leaf burn.

Jim in Los Altos, CA  SF Bay Area 37.34N- 122.13W- 190' above sea level

zone 10a/9b

sunset zone 16

300+ palms, 90+ species in the ground

Las Palmas Design

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Elegant Homes and Gardens

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Here is a typical leaf on one of my small A. alexandrae after 34F and very light frost.  This photo was taken about 10-12 hours after the frost.  A week later this leaf was a torched and krinkled up mess.

These are not frost tolerant palms!

100_2820.jpg

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

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Guys-

As long as the damage is just to foliage....have no fear with these palms.  They will come back hard.

Here is a photo of some of mine that were hammered last Feb 14th (see my post above).   At the time, these palms were maybe 3 ft tall.  They were my smallest alexandrae and were thus good "testers".

Today, they are over 6 ft tall and any damaged foliage is gone.   Growth rate was not affected at all.

Yard_27.jpg

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

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Well, the news from Guada la Habra no look so beuna.

Here's some A. alexies, KFC'd  a couple of weeks after they were exposed to three nights of 24.8 F (-4.4 C) and a fourth consecutive night at 27.8 F.

Sigh.

But, they're starting to recover.

Time'll tell.

post-208-1170010922_thumb.jpg

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Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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No end of misfortune for this one.

First, slashed, now freeze-damaged.  No frost, though.

Four nights of about 28-29 F.

post-208-1170011025_thumb.jpg

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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  • 2 months later...

Mine suffered about the same amount of damage as my A. cunninhamianas at 26F with 50% leaf burn. The good news is that it is recovering at a higher rate of speed than A. cunninghamiana, a pleasant suprise.

  • Like 1

Jim in Los Altos, CA  SF Bay Area 37.34N- 122.13W- 190' above sea level

zone 10a/9b

sunset zone 16

300+ palms, 90+ species in the ground

Las Palmas Design

Facebook Page

Las Palmas Design & Associates

Elegant Homes and Gardens

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Interesting Jim; I thought A.cunn was hardier of the Kings according to all my books but there doesnt seem much in it.

I would vey much like a King so maybe I will go with my first choice but I dont know yet.

I am going to have a "Royal Family" in my back yard!

Queen planted last September is laughing away with no problems and I will soon be piling on the Nitrate.

Then it will be a King and a Royal the latter of which is difficult to source in UK but then like all of us here I wouldnt be in palms without patience!

Regardez

Juan

Juan

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  • 3 months later...

(Bilbo @ Apr. 24 2007,06:48)

QUOTE
Interesting Jim; I thought A.cunn was hardier of the Kings according to all my books but there doesnt seem much in it.

I would vey much like a King so maybe I will go with my first choice but I dont know yet.

I am going to have a "Royal Family" in my back yard!

Queen planted last September is laughing away with no problems and I will soon be piling on the Nitrate.

Then it will be a King and a Royal the latter of which is difficult to source in UK but then like all of us here I wouldnt be in palms without patience!

Regardez

Juan

I am not an authority on kings, but on the internet multiple sources claim the cunninghama are "not more frost tolerant than the alexandre, they are just less sun tolerant and tend to be planted under canopies which tend to hold the heat better".  I have no personal experience, was just reading about kings in general.  I have seedlings in the greenhouse of purpea, alexandre, and maxima and so far the alexandre are definitely the fastest growing, though I know the maxima are regarded as the fastest by palm authorities.  Since they are all small yet, my observations may not mean much.

Formerly in Gilbert AZ, zone 9a/9b. Now in Palmetto, Florida Zone 9b/10a??

 

Tom Blank

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All 5 of my A. cunninghamianas endured 25-26F low, with several hours over a few nights subfreezing, with 50%-75% leaf burn. My one A. alexandera was 100% defo'd, and finally succumbed to "The Pink" 2 weeks ago. Geof rates it at 30F in the SoCal book, which seems right to me.

It's possible they are hardier once mature, but I'll go with any other Archo before trying another alex.

Zone 9b/10a, Sunset Zone 22

7 miles inland. Elevation 120ft (37m)

Average annual low temp: 30F (-1C)

Average annual rainfall: 8" (20cm)

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I've got many species of Archontophoenix in the ground. For my money, I will take A. alexandrae any day vis-a-vis cunninghamina for cold/frost tolerance and recovery. From my experience alexandrae handles cold and frost better, but moreover, recovers more quickly than cunninghamiana. The difference is not night and day mind you, but somewhat more than subtle. At least that has been my experience.

To qualify the above, this assumes palms with at least several feet or more of trunk. I haven't tested potted specimens. I don't dare. I always keep them in a heated greenhouse if temps drop much below 40 degrees.

Mad about palms

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(Walt @ Aug. 04 2007,19:20)

QUOTE
I've got many species of Archontophoenix in the ground. For my money, I will take A. alexandrae any day vis-a-vis cunninghamina for cold/frost tolerance and recovery. From my experience alexandrae handles cold and frost better, but moreover, recovers more quickly than cunninghamiana. The difference is not night and day mind you, but somewhat more than subtle. At least that has been my experience.

To qualify the above, this assumes palms with at least several feet or more of trunk. I haven't tested potted specimens. I don't dare. I always keep them in a heated greenhouse if temps drop much below 40 degrees.

I had ordered cunninghamina then cancelled the order and ordered the alexandrae instead when I read that the cunninghamina has the same cold tolerance(28F).  The ref I read stated that cunninghamina were mistakenly thought to be more cold tolerant because they are more sun sensitive and are generally planted under more heat retaining canopies.  I have learned from this past winter that microclimate areas in my yard are up to 4F different in nightime lows.  Also I read that the height of the trunk heart(?) above the ground really determines survivability as the ground is really the source of heat robbing cold.  Heat transfer is a really tricky subject.  A 190 degree steam bath is much hotter than a 190 degree sauna.  Its really the temp attained by the palm, not the ambient temp, and this is determined by duration of cold, proximity of the ground, wind velocity(plants have windchill also), presence of frost, diameter of the trunk, etc.  I had 3 bizzies take a burn this past winter, and there was a wide range of damage.  The smallest one, that was also closest to thehouse was the MOST damaged by far.  But it was a 6'+ palm, not a little one at all.

Formerly in Gilbert AZ, zone 9a/9b. Now in Palmetto, Florida Zone 9b/10a??

 

Tom Blank

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(sonoranfans @ Aug. 05 2007,11:22)

QUOTE

(Walt @ Aug. 04 2007,19:20)

QUOTE
I've got many species of Archontophoenix in the ground. For my money, I will take A. alexandrae any day vis-a-vis cunninghamina for cold/frost tolerance and recovery. From my experience alexandrae handles cold and frost better, but moreover, recovers more quickly than cunninghamiana. The difference is not night and day mind you, but somewhat more than subtle. At least that has been my experience.

To qualify the above, this assumes palms with at least several feet or more of trunk. I haven't tested potted specimens. I don't dare. I always keep them in a heated greenhouse if temps drop much below 40 degrees.

I had ordered cunninghamina then cancelled the order and ordered the alexandrae instead when I read that the cunninghamina has the same cold tolerance(28F).  The ref I read stated that cunninghamina were mistakenly thought to be more cold tolerant because they are more sun sensitive and are generally planted under more heat retaining canopies.  I have learned from this past winter that microclimate areas in my yard are up to 4F different in nightime lows.  Also I read that the height of the trunk heart(?) above the ground really determines survivability as the ground is really the source of heat robbing cold.  Heat transfer is a really tricky subject.  A 190 degree steam bath is much hotter than a 190 degree sauna.  Its really the temp attained by the palm, not the ambient temp, and this is determined by duration of cold, proximity of the ground, wind velocity(plants have windchill also), presence of frost, diameter of the trunk, etc.  I had 3 bizzies take a burn this past winter, and there was a wide range of damage.  The smallest one, that was also closest to thehouse was the MOST damaged by far.  But it was a 6'+ palm, not a little one at all.

Everything you said I agree with. I've covered this subject years ago at this and other forums.

Some folks don't fully understand the physics of wintertime cold.

What you said about the bud being elevated is true, at least during a radiational freeze when the air becomes stratified, with the coldest air being at ground level and then getting warmer with each foot of elevation.

(Two winters ago a local weather station here recorded a 14 degree F difference from ground level to 30 feet during a radiational freeze!)

I. too, have read the same thing regarding A. cunninghamiana, that the reputed cold hardiness (more so than A. alex.) is due to canopy cover.

Years ago I took extensive under-canopy verses open yard temperature readings (using digital thermometers) during radiation cooling nights/mornings during the winter. I've recorded up to 7 degrees warmer under dense canopy verses the open yard. That was the maximum, but 3-4 degrees warmer was more the norm. Soil moisture, soil temperature, density of canopy, etc., infuenced what the actual temperature were that I recorded. For instance, under canopy readings where higher on the south side of a tree, than they were on the north side. This was due to higher soil temperatures going into the night because the soil got direct solar gain/radiation during the day, where the north side didn't.

Further, I always try to plant tender palms on the south side of high tree canopy because then it can get better sun.

Absolutely a 190 steam bath is warmer than a sauna, in terms of heat transfer to the human body, due to density of the water particles.

Just like there's more heat in a 110 degree cup of coffee than there is in a lighted match. The match has more intensity of heat but far less of it (volume).

And yes, just because the ambient air temperature might drop to 30 degrees at sun up, the palm bud might not see that low a temparture due to the fact that it hasn't lost all it's heat (it had going into the night) via conduction and radiation into the ambient air. That's why a simple insulative wrap may be enough during non hard freezes to protect the bud as long as the duration of the freeze isn't too long.

Mad about palms

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Hi

The A. cunninghamia is definitely more cold tolerant than A. alexandrae. In Australia where they are native you will find the A. cunninghamia growing in southern QLD and Northern NSW in areas where they get really cold Winters. The A. alexandrae are native to the warmer more tropical parts of QLD  however this year my A. alexandrae have been frosted and the ambient air temp was -3C. but fortunately it doesn't stay cold here for long once the sun appears! Some leaf burn but they'll recover in Spring.

Sunshine :)

Noosa Hinterland

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(Walt @ Aug. 05 2007,12:59)

QUOTE

(sonoranfans @ Aug. 05 2007,11:22)

QUOTE

(Walt @ Aug. 04 2007,19:20)

QUOTE
I've got many species of Archontophoenix in the ground. For my money, I will take A. alexandrae any day vis-a-vis cunninghamina for cold/frost tolerance and recovery. From my experience alexandrae handles cold and frost better, but moreover, recovers more quickly than cunninghamiana. The difference is not night and day mind you, but somewhat more than subtle. At least that has been my experience.

To qualify the above, this assumes palms with at least several feet or more of trunk. I haven't tested potted specimens. I don't dare. I always keep them in a heated greenhouse if temps drop much below 40 degrees.

I had ordered cunninghamina then cancelled the order and ordered the alexandrae instead when I read that the cunninghamina has the same cold tolerance(28F).  The ref I read stated that cunninghamina were mistakenly thought to be more cold tolerant because they are more sun sensitive and are generally planted under more heat retaining canopies.  I have learned from this past winter that microclimate areas in my yard are up to 4F different in nightime lows.  Also I read that the height of the trunk heart(?) above the ground really determines survivability as the ground is really the source of heat robbing cold.  Heat transfer is a really tricky subject.  A 190 degree steam bath is much hotter than a 190 degree sauna.  Its really the temp attained by the palm, not the ambient temp, and this is determined by duration of cold, proximity of the ground, wind velocity(plants have windchill also), presence of frost, diameter of the trunk, etc.  I had 3 bizzies take a burn this past winter, and there was a wide range of damage.  The smallest one, that was also closest to thehouse was the MOST damaged by far.  But it was a 6'+ palm, not a little one at all.

Everything you said I agree with. I've covered this subject years ago at this and other forums.

Some folks don't fully understand the physics of wintertime cold.

What you said about the bud being elevated is true, at least during a radiational freeze when the air becomes stratified, with the coldest air being at ground level and then getting warmer with each foot of elevation.

(Two winters ago a local weather station here recorded a 14 degree F difference from ground level to 30 feet during a radiational freeze!)

I. too, have read the same thing regarding A. cunninghamiana, that the reputed cold hardiness (more so than A. alex.) is due to canopy cover.

Years ago I took extensive under-canopy verses open yard temperature readings (using digital thermometers) during radiation cooling nights/mornings during the winter. I've recorded up to 7 degrees warmer under dense canopy verses the open yard. That was the maximum, but 3-4 degrees warmer was more the norm. Soil moisture, soil temperature, density of canopy, etc., infuenced what the actual temperature were that I recorded. For instance, under canopy readings where higher on the south side of a tree, than they were on the north side. This was due to higher soil temperatures going into the night because the soil got direct solar gain/radiation during the day, where the north side didn't.

Further, I always try to plant tender palms on the south side of high tree canopy because then it can get better sun.

Absolutely a 190 steam bath is warmer than a sauna, in terms of heat transfer to the human body, due to density of the water particles.

Just like there's more heat in a 110 degree cup of coffee than there is in a lighted match. The match has more intensity of heat but far less of it (volume).

And yes, just because the ambient air temperature might drop to 30 degrees at sun up, the palm bud might not see that low a temparture due to the fact that it hasn't lost all it's heat (it had going into the night) via conduction and radiation into the ambient air. That's why a simple insulative wrap may be enough during non hard freezes to protect the bud as long as the duration of the freeze isn't too long.

great info there walt on the temps, canopies and proximity of the bud to the ground.  the minimum ambient temps reported by a single thermometer or the weatherman are woefully inadequate for understanding the susceptibilities of palms in places with high overnight temperature transients.  Hopefully more palm growers willuse some of this info to their advantage in keeping healthier palms through the cold stuff.  My alexandrae seedlings are really gowing fast, outstripping my maximas and purpea.  Rapid recovery will be important to me in maintaining beautiful palms.  As per your discussion, I will be using more temp  sensors this winter and will work to better understand ways I can trap my heat from the exhaust vents to locate warm spots and then plant wind blocks to better control the thermals in my future planting areas for kings, royals.

Formerly in Gilbert AZ, zone 9a/9b. Now in Palmetto, Florida Zone 9b/10a??

 

Tom Blank

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I have lent Jones (of Australia) book "Palms throught the world I think) to a friend but unless my memory is playing tricks I think he wrote that the Bangalow was the cold hardier so I shall plant one in the next 12 months when Sue isnt looking.

She discovered my last palm bill and had a fit - even tho all palms are paid for by me out of my own personal a/c with one exception which was when we moved here and I took her to Architectural Palms where she fell for a Brahea armata because it had "a pretty colour."

I shall therefore inform her that the Bangalow has "pretty" lilac flowers that remind me of her.

That should do the trick!

Regardez

Juan

Juan

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She discovered my last palm bill and had a fit - even tho all palms are paid for by me out of my own personal a/c with one exception which was when we moved here and I took her to Architectural Palms where she fell for a Brahea armata because it had "a pretty colour."

I shall therefore inform her that the Bangalow has "pretty" lilac flowers that remind me of her.

:D Might work

Sunshine :)

Noosa Hinterland

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  • 1 month later...

Hi everybody.

I bought one in july this year, about 5 feet overall.

This will be the first winter to test her here on an island in adriatic sea.

island Vis, adriatic sea, Croatia. Zone 9b/10a

Temperature low last winter: -0.9°C/30.4 F

Temperature low this winter: -0.3°C/31.5 F

-Creating my own little palm heaven-

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Hi EuroPalm.

Are you in connection with europalm.be site?

I'll order some seeds from them next month...

Island is Vis in Croatia (Dalmatia)

14622272mc7.jpg

island Vis, adriatic sea, Croatia. Zone 9b/10a

Temperature low last winter: -0.9°C/30.4 F

Temperature low this winter: -0.3°C/31.5 F

-Creating my own little palm heaven-

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  • 3 months later...

Went below 32F at 330am, went back above 32F by 830am. 5 total hours of freezing temperatures. Ultimate low of 29.7F with 7.6 "freezing degree hours" calculated as discussed in the weather forum. Moderate winds varying from NNW to NNE all night, dewpoints in low teens, no frost. No overhead canopy in my yard. No protection provided. Photos from 4 days after the freeze event.

North side of house:

IMG_4165Custom.jpg

IMG_4164Large.jpg

IMG_4163Large.jpg

Parrish, FL

Zone 9B

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  • 3 weeks later...

Var. Beatrice

3 plants, 7' OA height

22f, multiple hours and nights below freezing

Defoliated...slowly recovering

  • Like 1

If global warming means I can grow Cocos Nucifera, then bring it on....

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  • 1 year later...

the palm is maybe 2.5 feet and its not even an year in the ground planted in spring of 08 the 2 nite in the mid 30's

light frost Palm is about 70% leaf burn but there's a new spear opening as i write this when small like this they are very tender to frost

but not to the temperature.

Matthew Albach

Pinellas Park FLorida

USDA zone 10a

sunset zone 26

heat zone   10

mostly frost free most years.

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  • 1 month later...

Here's a soon to be extracted plant exposed to several nights in the mid 20's, some with heavy frost. Pure wimp!

post-192-1236377228_thumb.jpg

post-192-1236377237_thumb.jpg

Land O Lakes FL, a suburb on the North Side of Tampa, FL

Summers are great, 90f/32c in the day & 70f/21c at night with plentiful rain & sun

Winters are subtropical with occasional frosts and freezes. Tropical cyclones happen.

We have a few Royal palms in the warm microclimates but Coconuts freeze.

I am a Kayaker, Hiker, Bicyclist, and amateur Photographer that loves the outdoors.  

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Hi everybody,

I am a portuguese friend of palms, since I got a new home and needed to buid a landscape.

I have some cocos plumosa, and archontophoenix alexandrae.

The weather here is not so good as in other places in wich you live, but we have temperatures, medium, betwen 5 and 25 degrees.

In Winter, sometimes we have -5 degrees, and this winter we got there, and my specimes became almost totaly burn. Two small have the center burn, and i thing they wont recover, but another bigger has few parte green, however the new part growing is burn at the top. I dont know what to do, must i have some special care? I will wait for the spring effects. I will upload some fotos later

Rafael, from Furadouro, Portugal

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Rafael-

Id say your smaller ones are not coming back, but the larger one has a chance.

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

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Hi again, here there are some photos of the bigger alexandrae palm. What do you think? Will it recover? As you see the most recent spear is parcialy damaged. I do not know if there is any chance at all. Could that spear grow? And if not, could another spear appear?

post-3292-1237156630_thumb.jpg

post-3292-1237156647_thumb.jpg

post-3292-1237156739_thumb.jpg

Edited by rafael
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  • 9 years later...

I have seen depressed-looking Archontophoenix around St. Pete. Their foliage is almost entirely brown. That is after a low of 32F.

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@Palmsbro I'm surprised that there was so much damage in St. Pete!

My observation: 

Mine got some (~50%) leaf burn over here in Lakeland.  I recorded a low of 28F on my property on 2 thermometers.  My plant is sheltered with overhead canopy from a mature avocado tree and a PVC fence to the north.

  • Like 1

Lakeland, FL

USDA Zone 1990: 9a  2012: 9b  2023: 10a | Sunset Zone: 26 | Record Low: 20F/-6.67C (Jan. 1985, Dec.1962) | Record Low USDA Zone: 9a

30-Year Avg. Low: 30F | 30-year Min: 24F

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On 3/26/2018, 8:52:21, Palmsbro said:

I have seen depressed-looking Archontophoenix around St. Pete. Their foliage is almost entirely brown. That is after a low of 32F.

Really? My cunninghamiana didn't have any damage from 28 and the other archontophoenix I've seen over here have looked fine for the most part. 

 

Edited by RedRabbit

Westchase | 9b 10a  ◆  Nokomis | 10a  ◆  St. Petersburg | 10a 10b 

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 They weren't dead, but definitely not happy. UPDATE: They are coming back and I see new fronds call the ones I see.

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