Are any Trachycarpus possible FL?

[empireo22]

I was thinking of trying a few different Trachycarpus is it possible to grow them in shade? or will they just rot during from the summer humidity?

[Jim in Los Altos]

I would think that T. martianus would work for you in the shade. They're very pretty too and more tropical in appearance than the other varieties.

[willo68]

I have a Martianus i bought March last year in a gallon pot. Just repotted it a couple weeks ago for the third time to a 5 gallon pot.From 3 leaves im up to 7 and a new pretty thick spear coming out. Its grown beatifull here in Orlando partial sun.

[NorthFlpalmguy]

Yes it's very possible with all of the species I've tried.

[Eric in Orlando]

It is but you have to find the right spot. I have tried them for over 20 years with many losses. They don't like our loose sandy soil as it is usually nematode infested. They might grow well for several years but they eventually succumb to nematodes. Here at Leu Gardens I found a spot they love. It gets bright filtered light, good air circulation and the soil is heavier with lots of humus, acidic, and stays constantly moist. That is where I plant all the Trachycarpus now.

[NorthFlpalmguy]

It is but you have to find the right spot. I have tried them for over 20 years with many losses. They don't like our loose sandy soil as it is usually nematode infested. They might grow well for several years but they eventually succumb to nematodes. Here at Leu Gardens I found a spot they love. It gets bright filtered light, good air circulation and the soil is heavier with lots of humus, acidic, and stays constantly moist. That is where I plant all the Trachycarpus now.

x2. Find a clay loam or (even better) clay-based soil with a high water table preferably- less nematodes. I've tried trachys in many soil types and the only place they thrive is in a heavier clay soil.

[Cikas]

I was thinking of trying a few different Trachycarpus is it possible to grow them in shade? or will they just rot during from the summer humidity?

For Trachycarpus, shade is not a problem ( these ones are in shade most of the time ).

And there is many different species of them. Some of them are very rare in cultivation. Some of them look very tropical, and they are not very cold hardy.

Martianus and latisectus are the most cold tender ones and the most tropical looking. And they are the best Trachycarpus species for humid subtropical climate.

[tank]

It is but you have to find the right spot. I have tried them for over 20 years with many losses. They don't like our loose sandy soil as it is usually nematode infested. They might grow well for several years but they eventually succumb to nematodes. Here at Leu Gardens I found a spot they love. It gets bright filtered light, good air circulation and the soil is heavier with lots of humus, acidic, and stays constantly moist. That is where I plant all the Trachycarpus now.

x3. Bright filtered light, avoid long exposure to the afternoon sun. Look great under a live oak canopy. I have a couple of standard fortunei planted in an extremely mucky area in my yard and they are doing phenomenal. In the right spot these things grow like rockets. 3 gal plants 4 years ago without any trunk. Now about 8' overall with about 4' of trunk.

[Tropicdoc]

Clay soil must be why trachycarpus do so well down here. We are just as humid and hot in the summer so they don't mind that at all. It's must be the soil. There are plenty of 30 to 40 footers around town.

[Cikas]

Trachycarpus love humid climates. They hate sand, drought and dry heat.

Edited April 1, 2015 by Cikas