All Activity

I think anyone would even the most rudimentary understanding of genetics would know that a tropical species transplanted into a marginal subtropic environment isn’t going to automatically produce offspring that are more cold hardy than it would if it had remained in the tropics. Could the question be how many generations would it require for a species in a marginal environment to develop higher cold tolerance than its forbears in a milder climate?

It is true , they do better in shade . My climate is probably not quite as hot and dry as yours but mine has been in full sun since it was smaller than the one you bought. It is planted on a south facing hill , full sun at about 34 degrees north latitude. I am inland from the ocean about 20 miles. I water the slope twice a week in the summer or any warm spells. Good mulch helps . Harry This was taken a couple of years ago during winter on a cloudy day . We were mulching the palms . When the sun is out , it is very hot on this slope.

Latania loddigesii seed cross section.

Yea from my research I think im in the ideal climate. Riverside is about 35-40 miles as the crow flies to the coast. Valencia is 25-30 miles as the crow flies from the coast. It’s definitely a lot cooler than Arizona, and unlike the true desert it has a green season where the hills turn green and the wild flowers bloom. I believe to be considered a true desert you have to average less than 10 inches of rain a year. We average about 15, but we get 25-30 inches in wet years. Our true desert areas like palm springs still stay under 10 inches. The beccariopheonix alfredii native climate from my understanding was in full sun, high wind and seasonal fire. Antsirabe in Madagascar where they’re from has a wet season from November to March and dry season from May to October. Virtually identical to ours. Im getting this from AI so anyone feel free to correct me if im wrong. If you replaced the alfredii’s with California fan palms, it would look just like So Cal in the summer with golden hills and a few evergreen shrubs. Our palms grow naturally in creeks just like this one.

Kentia take at least a year to sprout here . Patience grasshopper! Harry✌️

Most probably overwatering . In the ground , it is nearly impossible to overwater a Howea F. , but potted palms can get waterlogged easily. I usually let the top 1” or so of the soil dry out before I water my potted plants . I also put Orchid mix and perlite in the soil to encourage faster drainage . Also , I put a 1-2” layer of smooth beach pebbles in the bottom of the pot before putting the soil mix in. Drainage is critical! Harry the soil in this young Kentia is very coarse and it drains very well . It has been grown from seed here and gets watered a lot but the drainage is rapid. Orchid mix has chunks of crushed lava and other media and the perlite keeps the circulation of moisture from stagnating. The larger palms are a bit more soil to orchid mix for more moisture retention . As they get bigger they will need more available water . The pot should start drying out after a few days , if not it is getting too much water or it has a drainage problem. Also , if weather permits , put it outside in a shady position with a light breeze ….they love it.

Where are you located FL? Im in So Cal, I think its iffy in my area. But I might buy a smaller one.

I don't believe where you source seeds makes a lot of difference in cold hardiness for a given species unless it is a variable species like pindos or queens which have unique native populations at different latitudes. And considering what hemisphere you're talking about - Syagrus romanzoffiana (queen palm) are native to the southern hemisphere so seeds sourced from a more southern population in Uraguay are more cold hardy than those from a more northern population in Brasil. You're most likely referring to seeds collected from cultivated palms in the northern hemisphere. If I had a Uraguay queen palm planted in my yard in deep south Texas and another person had a Brasil queen planted in Houston, seeds collected from my queen would be more cold hardy than those collected in a more northern spot.

Nice try, lol.. Nothing remotely close to " Mid - summery looking " ....on the the map on the right at least.

John , you’re gonna be fine once it catches on and you’re selling more. Spring is right around the corner and folks will want to buy plants , reducing your inventory problem . Hopefully a balance will occur. 🙂 Harry

Picture of a mule and also a coconut queen which is a little harder to find!!

I’m late to the discussion but in my opinion there is one choice that is a royal hands down!!!! My royals in Phoenix love heat grow fast trim themselves what’s not to like???

It looks like a mid summer map. Could it be?

Chrysalidocarpus loucoubensis sowing some color after a frond drop. Tim

Mazat my 'Mitleid' for the second specimen😮‍💨

The ‘ole’ Chrysalidocarpus paucifolius, aka ‘orange crush.’ Love the scale that growing in almost solid rock dictates. Tim

DrZnaturally here we will be unwrapping the Sabal palmetto ‘Bridgeport CT’ in late March if anyone wants to come help it was a brutal winter 🥶 so I hope it did ok RSVP DrZnaturally

I do know as someone from maryland in delmarva my Sabal minors didnt need any protection even in its younger years so its totally possible wild populations could exist in virginia

Seeds arrived in the UK today. Many thanks, Richard!!

If you can source one, Medemia argun would do great there, it's habitat is similar to that area and it has a cool color to it, especially slightly cared for (trimming dead fronds and some fertilizer). You could irrigate there a little bit but if it hits water table you won't have to. Handles extreme heat by growing lol.

list of palms and plants currently thriving Washingtonias, no brainer they grow like weeds here Phoenix (Date), no brainer, I have 5 currently growing and doing well Mule, I have 4 in the ground, one store bought, the others seed grown. The store bought one got a little burned last year, but is recovering with deep green growth coming up. Phoenix Roebelenii I learned how to buy and care for them, the less root bound the better, also fewer to a pot is better and then lots of water, if I can get them to survive the 1st summer, they seem to make it Med Palms, another no brainer, they have grown very well. Mexican Blue (Brahea Armata), purchased from AZtropic in a small 3" pot, it is now 1' tall and putting on growth. Bismarkia, purchased from AZtropic, wasn't sure it would make it, but is now healthy and turning gray/green I have tried others and will keep trying, I currently have several Thatch Palms and Sabal Palmettos grown from seed brought back from Florida. I am trying to germinate some more Mules, Sugar palms and Royals. I just ordered some Triangle and Sabal Causiarum

As with all living things, there are genetic parameters. Some palms of the same genus & species survive in more marginal conditions, but doesn't assure it's characteristics are passed along genetically via it's seeds. Having said that, I'd be inclined to include those seeds with measured optimism, knowing the uncertainty. Palms evolve over many millennium to adapt to suitable conditions or extinction.

One of my Washingtonias, was 3' tall in Oct 2023, now 5' with a massive trunk You can also see the Seabreeze bamboo behind it is doing great

update: Here is my date palm, started from a seed in Seattle, in Oct of 2023 it was 2.5' tall, it now stands over 10 feet tall, 7.5 feet of growth in 2.5 years

From what I can see( no photo) , Palmatum Invisibellum. Harry😂