25 gallon Foxtails from HD

[Breaktheory]

I know, I know - greenhouse grown, won’t survive in the real world but is this always the case?

Saw some very healthy thick 25G foxtails at HD for $275 - will it survive if I plant in full sun immediately or does it require months of acclimation?

[aztropic]

It could make it. Some of them obviously do. If the fronds are currently dark green,it WILL burn when planted in direct hot dry CA full sun. It should be big enough though, to produce a few new acclimated fronds by winter. If you don't like the outcome,at least there's a 1 year guarantee to fall back on... 

Locally grown, is always your best bet for long term survival though. This species will never look as good growing in dry air,as opposed to the humid conditions it was raised in,in South Florida.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[James B]

This palm was planted 3 years ago as a 7 gallon from HD. In full blazing inland empire sun from 11-4. A little yellow like it always is coming out of winter. But puts out 4-5 frond a year and is medium to fast grower. Slower than Roystonea and a Archontophoenix but pretty much faster than most palms in my yard. Any initial burn was only temporary as I find these palms want full sun not shade and the two I have in shade are skinny and stretched out looking. I will be removing this palm when I do an addition of his year so I just bought another 7 gallon to replace it.

[Breaktheory]

1 hour ago, James B said:

This palm was planted 3 years ago as a 7 gallon from HD. In full blazing inland empire sun from 11-4. A little yellow like it always is coming out of winter. But puts out 4-5 frond a year and is medium to fast grower. Slower than Roystonea and a Archontophoenix but pretty much faster than most palms in my yard. Any initial burn was only temporary as I find these palms want full sun not shade and the two I have in shade are skinny and stretched out looking. I will be removing this palm when I do an addition of his year so I just bought another 7 gallon to replace it.

Looks good - most of the foxtails at HD are dark green but the ones in the sun are a lot droopier

[pohonkelapa]

8 hours ago, Breaktheory said:

I know, I know - greenhouse grown, won’t survive in the real world but is this always the case?

Saw some very healthy thick 25G foxtails at HD for $275 - will it survive if I plant in full sun immediately or does it require months of acclimation?

They are such fast growers, why spend so much on a big one?

[Matt in OC]

If you can find a local 5gal (or even 1 gal) that was grown here you’ll have a much healthier looking palm long term. And they do grow pretty fast here. 

[James B]

I planted my 7 gallon today in full blazing sun 50 miles inland. 

[Randall SD]

This Foxtail was planted in 2002. It was a 7 gallon purchased from a big box store. I planted it right into full sun, didn't think to acclimate it at the time. 

 In San Diego about 8 miles from the coast.

[pohonkelapa]

4 hours ago, Randall SD said:

This Foxtail was planted in 2002. It was a 7 gallon purchased from a big box store. I planted it right into full sun, didn't think to acclimate it at the time. 

 In San Diego about 8 miles from the coast.

Nice! I have heard from a few locals that foxtails are hard to grow here in SD, but yours looks great and mine are doing well. I think its an issue of well-draining soil.