Rainbow eucalyptus in Arizona

[ando.wsu]

Looking for some advice, and opinions

I purchased a small rainbow eucalyptus. It is a bit of an experiment and I read that it has been tried in the Phx area. However, we had a horrible winter when this occurred and it died, perhaps it was too small and that is why it perished.

I read the heat won't bother them as the one in AZ grew fine even in our 110 degree summer heat. Lots of water, which I can do and once it's established and sends roots deep into the ground in the long run will help with increasing drought tolerance.

My question, do you think I should attempt to plant it in the ground or just keep it as a potted up specimen to enjoy, even though it will not ever live up to its potential? And still possibly die after a few years since pots dry out so fast in high heat. Skip a day watering and it's done.

I planted a couple small species of eucalyptus trees (snow queens and one snow gum which can get big) and dug about two feet down in the grassy part of my yard and I was surprised it was wet down there. I irrigate the grass 2 times a week at ten minutes.

Summer time I typically irrigate 3 times a week at about 30 minutes at a time to allow the water to get deep in the soil keeping the Bermuda grass roots watered more deeply and keeping it growing strong.

This last winter didn't reach freezing in my yard, got close but stayed above 33 degrees. Only lost one banana leaf to cold, but they still look very green and even plants like crotons survived this winter with no foliage burn or leaf drop to my surprise.

I figured if I plant now, this will give the rainbow 10 months of growing before a freeze could hit Phx again.

I'm planning on planting the rainbow also where in the winter time it will get that first morning sun even when the sun is so low, planted about 15 feet from the houses foundation on south side east side. Hopefully that first morning sun will help with less exposure to the cold. I can also fire up the BBQ under it when temps are to get low, which is only a hand full of events. Maybe once it reaches a certain size it will be more tolerant of our cold spells we get, and react more like a ficus where the smaller branches die off on cold winters, but everything regrows by summers end. I have seen smaller ficus trees just die during some cold winters, but any of these trees with size to them seem to regrow fine.

I don't know, maybe it's a long shot, which I'm sure it is. Waste of time, or go for it?

I got it for 15 bucks, so it's not like I'm out a lot of cash, but I still hate killing stuff.

[stevethegator]

Plant it in the ground, eucs hate being kept in pots. Protect it from cold by covering it with a blanket, trashcan, mulch, or combo of all three during freeze events until it gets established. It should be hardy to a once it gains some size

Edited February 12, 2014 by stevethegator

[ando.wsu]

Awesome. That's what I'll do.

[stevethegator]

Here is an old thread with experience from other growers, seems like the tree can take a certain amount of freezing temps but will be damaged if it gets too cold

http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/21064-eucalyptus-deglupta-cold-hardiness-not-its-strong-suit/

[Karen]

Can't advise you on the temps the tree can take, but I would be very concerned about planting one so close to the house. As the tree grows, the branches get huge & are very brittle. A good wind will cause branches to snap off! The rainbow eucalyptus also has a very aggressive root system that can spread great distances & I think they would remain shallow if grown in a lawn area with the watering schedule you describe. They might create problems with the

foundation in the future?

I love these trees, the colors are unreal, but I don't think they are a good choice for planting any where near a house.

Aloha, Karen

[DoomsDave]

Aloha Karen!

Nice to meet you!

And, ando, I concur in Karen's advice. They can huge fast if happy. Give plenty of space.

[ando.wsu]

thanks everyone, I will for sure change planting spot to further away from house. I'll plan on it surviving for some time getting big someday. I'll keep everyone apprised. thanks again for your advise.

[fastfeat]

Never tried it in AZ. Heat shouldn't be a problem. Lack of humidity might be an issue.

Also, micronutrient deficiencies may be as well. So many tough species (E. camaldulensis, E. sideroxylon, others) tend to be very chlorotic on AZ soils. I don't think it's necessarily iron chlorosis (as Miami has very alkaline soils w/o chlorosis issues).

Good luck.

[Eric in Orlando]

They do get hardier with age/size. We planted one here at Leu Gardens back in summer 2000. It was about 3ft tall. Winter 2000-01 we had 2 nights at 27-28F. It killed the tree back to the roots but it sprouted back and grew fast. By Jan. 2003 it was maybe 8-10ft. In Jan 2003 we had a night at 27F and it suffered no damage. Since then it has grown to about 60ft and has never had any damage still. Even after the cold winter of 2009-10.

[Silas_Sancona]

Ando.wsu,

You ever try Eucalyptus {Corymbia} papuana?.. Saw several specimens of these around town when I was out there. Might be a nice addition along side a Rainbow, if you have the room.

Eric or Ken, any thoughts on how this species might perform here in Florida. Thinking of trialing it.

-Nathan-

[Eric in Orlando]

I have tried C. papuana a couple times here but with no luck.

The best growing Eucs so far here have been C. citriodora, E. deglupta and E. quadrangulata. E. polyanthemos grows nice too. We also had E. grandis and E. robusta but they blew over in storms.

[MattyB]

water water water water water and then water

[ando.wsu]

Ando.wsu,

You ever try Eucalyptus {Corymbia} papuana?.. Saw several specimens of these around town when I was out there. Might be a nice addition along side a Rainbow, if you have the room.

Eric or Ken, any thoughts on how this species might perform here in Florida. Thinking of trialing it.

-Nathan-

i've got two papuanas, i was thinking about planting the rainbow in fairly close vicinity to offer a little extra protection during our winters. Seems like a good idea.

[ando.wsu]

water water water water water and then water

point well taken. Ya think with lots of deep watering this will help the roots to grow deeper, instead of spreading out? It would be awesome if it could tap down to some ground water, or at least come in contact cooler/wetter soil. My 5 year old Coolibah Euc. planted as a seed now about 20 feet tall has no signs of surface roots. Seems it went straight down instead of out on the surface. Not sure if that is more of a characteristic of different sp. of Eucs. and native habitat adaptations.

[Silas_Sancona]

Thanks Eric, will have to research some of the species you mentioned.

Ando, id say go for it,, as long as everyone has enough room. Thinking the Ghosts (E. papuana) would add some protective canopy for a young Rainbow. Saw many of these while in Phoenix both last March after the freeze there.. and again in August. Specimens id seen in March looked untouched by any cold they endured, and provided a nice light shade in summer.

-Nathan-

[DALION]

water water water water water and then water

Would they grow in a river bed? I think they look cool but would not dare plant one in my yard but i live near a river bed and want to put one there.

[MattyB]

I bet they'd grow along side a river bed. They're from the wet tropics.