Hardiness in Pots

[PaddyM]

This question isn't necessarily limited to palms, but it's more of a general "plants in pots" question. I planted some bamboo in very large pots a few years ago, and when picking the species of bamboo, the nursery said that planting in pots could cause you lose up a zone of hardiness (so we picked a species that is one hardiness zone below me). It makes sense to me, since the roots are much more exposed to colder temperatures. Would love to hear others' experience/knowledge on how hardiness is affecting by planting in pots.

Thanks!

[Allen]

For palms (and bamboo) It will make them grow much slower and be more susceptible to problems.  I have a large plastic pot that is double walled and has a 1" air pocket on all sides that helps.  Just think about it, the roots go up and down in temp very fast as opposed to being planted where roots stay stable temps.  I also have a lot of bamboo in containers and have lots of ideas on that if you ever need it as I've been perfecting it over the last few years.

Planters of bamboo disguised.

Walled plastic pot with air gap.

50 gallon planter disguised by a hill and mainly being covered with pine needles.  You don't want to bury bamboo pots.  

Edited December 17, 2020 by Allen

[PalmTreeDude]

I always consider any of my potted plants a zone less hardy than the actual plant is. I also try not to let them get cold and wet at the same time. 

Edited December 17, 2020 by PalmTreeDude

[Chester B]

8 hours ago, PaddyM said:

the nursery said that planting in pots could cause you lose up a zone of hardiness

I agree with this as well.

[Silas_Sancona]

Intriguing.. This must be a cold -climate/zone thing because in 25+ years working in the Nursery business, longer for growing stuff,  i have never heard of, or had to explain something like this to clients when they're purchasing plants to keep in containers.  The heat issue makes sense, -esp. here-.. but, besides that, have never felt they were more susceptible to the cold, simply because they were in pots, esp. while in FL. or back in San Jose..

 

[Allen]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Intriguing.. This must be a cold -climate/zone thing because in 25+ years working in the Nursery business, longer for growing stuff,  i have never heard of, or had to explain something like this to clients when they're purchasing plants to keep in containers.  The heat issue makes sense, -esp. here-.. but, besides that, have never felt they were more susceptible to the cold, simply because they were in pots, esp. while in FL. or back in San Jose..

 

it's pretty simple in freezing areas, pots above ground may freeze solid here while the ground usually wont freeze more than 6" where I live.  So if a plant can't tolerate it's roots being frozen then it may kill it in a pot vs the ground. 

[PaddyM]

I don’t have plans to expand my bamboo pots for now, but thanks Allen I’ll get your advice if I do! 

Sounds like everyone has similar experiences to me as far as growing in pots in colder climates. 

[Chester B]

Local palm nursery had a huge waggle in a 24” box three winters ago.  If I remember correctly it had over 10’ of trunk.  That’s when we had a historically cold week, it died. I’ve never seen a mature Trachycarpus in the ground take winter damage here. 

[Steve Mac]

Allen, your yard looks like a resort.  

[Allen]

24 minutes ago, gtsteve said:

Allen, your yard looks like a resort.  

exactly!  pandemic hotel.