Pseudophoenix vinifera cold hardiness?

[Kostas]

Hello

I am interested in the cold hardiness of P. vinifera. Is it as cold hardy as P. sargentii? Can it withstand a brief(at the coldest part of the night,just before sunrise and then fast temperature climb to above 10C) -4C with just some leaf damage? Can it stand some frost with brief -1C or -2C at most,1-2 nights a year without damage or does it need canopy protection from frost?

Thank you very much in advance!

[George Sparkman]

Hi Konstantinos,

P. vinifera does not take as much cold as P. sargentii in California. Actually I think there is quite a cold hardiness difference between the two species.

But keep in mind that we here in California have prolonged periods of cool weather which can kind of suck the happiness right out of the plants.

I do not have any info regarding actual temperature differences between the two species but I am sure there will be some other members posting in that regard.

[MattyB]

My P. vinifera has taken down to 36F with no problems.

P. sargentii grows about 3 times faster in my experience.

[aztropic]

Hello

I am interested in the cold hardiness of P. vinifera. Is it as cold hardy as P. sargentii? Can it withstand a brief(at the coldest part of the night,just before sunrise and then fast temperature climb to above 10C) -4C with just some leaf damage? Can it stand some frost with brief -1C or -2C at most,1-2 nights a year without damage or does it need canopy protection from frost?

Thank you very much in advance!

My experience over several years has been that P. vinifera is only slightly less cold hardy than P. sargentii. This winter season,I had a very unusual cold blast for 4 nights in a row (26F,25F,25F,and 28F were the minimum temps.) Over a dozen P. sargentii planted around the yard were totally unprotected and received little to no damage. A 10 ft overall P.vinifera in the middle of the yard (unprotected) took 50% freeze burn but has already pushed 1 inch of new spear over the last 3 weeks.A smaller 6 ft overall P.vinifera close to the house only took 10% burn and has also pushed a new inch of spear.

I live in a desert with humidity often only 5 - 10% and don't remember seeing frost on any plants,although cars and the roofs of houses will get frost a few times each year.

In my opinion,they are pretty darn hardy as other palms around the yard like triangles,foxtails,and cuban royals were completely defoliated!

(first pic is the smaller vinifera,second pic is a sargentii - both taken today)

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[Kostas]

Thank you very very much for your replies!

aztropic,you made my day,thanks a lot!!!

Pyrgos doesnt usually have prolonged cool periods and the daily highs are above 10-13C even in the worst of winter. The planting spots i have in mind receive more than 3/4day full sun and are very warm,so hopefully good for faster Pseudophoenix growth! I am definitely going with P. vinifera now I know it can take my lows easily,much more beautiful than P. sargenti!