Mediterranean Fan Palm Survived With No Protection

[PalmTreeDude]

I did not protect my Mediterranean Fan Palm at all this past winter (which was a really bad one here) and none of the suckers died. The middle trunk died the first winter I had it a few years ago. I just now got the idea to post a picture of it so here they are. 

Edited July 18, 2018 by PalmTreeDude
Added Pictures

[PalmTreeDude]

[Rickybobby]

We’re the lows and how long did they last?

[PalmatierMeg]

You should consider removing the turf in a 2' diameter circle around the palm and placing mulch. All that grass will suck up water and nutrients meant for the palm.

[PalmTreeDude]

On 7/18/2018, 4:08:48, Rickybobby said:

We’re the lows and how long did they last?

The low that I recorded at my house was 7 degrees F. We had the longest time below freezing that I have ever seen here for about a week. Most nights were around 14 degrees F during that. They got burned at around 15 degrees. 

 

16 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

You should consider removing the turf in a 2' diameter circle around the palm and placing mulch. All that grass will suck up water and nutrients meant for the palm.

Yes! I need to do that, I have been putting it off for a while but I'll probably do it this weekend. 

Edited July 20, 2018 by PalmTreeDude
Typos

[mdsonofthesouth]

On 7/19/2018, 6:01:35, PalmatierMeg said:

You should consider removing the turf in a 2' diameter circle around the palm and placing mulch. All that grass will suck up water and nutrients meant for the palm.

 

This, very much this! I have seen grass and weeds leech and stunt plants. My yuccas around the side are a testament to that. I went away for vacation for 2 weeks one yucca was engulfed in weeds while the same type next to it with only a few grew significantly more during a spurt. I am blessed with good soil and I don't herbicide the beds...yet. But Im seriously thinking of using preen or some kind of pre-emergent in light doses.

 

@PalmTreeDude Nice palm! Mine saw single digits but mostly defoliated this past winter and even pulled. Thankfully all trunks came back and even flowered. Chamaerops is far hardier than I originally thought. After its first winter seeing around sub 15f I thought it was tough, but after this past winter it has earned its spot in my gardens forever and cannot wait to plant the one I have in a pot. 

[PalmTreeDude]

I just cut around them this afternoon. 

Edited July 26, 2018 by PalmTreeDude

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

We lost a silver med fan with 6' of trunk at the entrance to the nursery this year. 

[PalmTreeDude]

44 minutes ago, TexasColdHardyPalms said:

We lost a silver med fan with 6' of trunk at the entrance to the nursery this year. 

Dang, that sucks. I heard the silver ones were less cold hardy, is this true?

[Neil C]

The silver ones are more cold hardy but they do need the soil to be dry. A cold, wet winter and they are probably toast.

Regards Neil

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

Silver are a LOT more cold hardy.  It got a fungus infection in February and never overcame it. 

[PalmTreeDude]

I had them mixed up, my bad. Maybe I would have been better off planting a silver form (but I would need to keep it dry). The center trunk of mine rotted away (and had some nasty looking bugs in it) after the first winter. The sucker's kept surviving the winters though. 

Edited July 26, 2018 by PalmTreeDude

[Brad Mondel]

My silver was always hardier but this past winter was too much for it to handle and it died, it was in a clay pot on the porch. I thought it being dry would help it live but it didn't because the rootball froze solid. I'm sure it would have survived if it were in the ground because I lost my sabal minor and rhapidophyllums that were potted also. 

Edited July 26, 2018 by Brad Mondel