Any one down here have any observations.

Is there a rule of thumb?

Any thoughts on where each Sabal species would rank in drought hardiness after the establishment period.

Are Sabal's ever completely self sufficient?

Dry climates up to 10b.

i can't speak for Southern California but I can tell you the answer is yes for Central California ONLY if the sabal can find groundwater. If the water table is below 30 feet, forget it. I hear the enormous sabal maritima downtown San Franciso finally took off after quite some years and the speculation is that it found water further down.

I have 2 Sabal Uresana i planted as seedlings 10+ years ago. Both still get supplemental water but not much. I bet i could shut off the water but have not tried it.

Like Gary said. I bet once established uresana. Could be ok on its own.

Uresana is the only desert sabal, it should have the same adaptation root-wise as brahea and will send roots deep down to find water. This is the one sabal that is bulletproof in California as far as climate is concerned. It can grow anywhere in California at sea level up to at least 3,000 feet elevation and not miss a beat. I can grow uresana in some of the driest parts of my garden where a lot of other plants have failed.

If you really want a good sabal your neighbor would have a difficult time killing, uresana would be it.

I have 2 Sabal Uresana i planted as seedlings 10+ years ago. Both still get supplemental water but not much. I bet i could shut off the water but have not tried it.

To the left as the driveway slopes down right? You said that the maintenance guy hacked them to clear the path. I remember that they were looking nice, maybe like 10' - 12'?

Uresana is the only desert sabal, it should have the same adaptation root-wise as brahea and will send roots deep down to find water. This is the one sabal that is bulletproof in California as far as climate is concerned. It can grow anywhere in California at sea level up to at least 3,000 feet elevation and not miss a beat. I can grow uresana in some of the driest parts of my garden where a lot of other plants have failed.

If you really want a good sabal your neighbor would have a difficult time killing, uresana would be it.

I have a seedling sized S. uresana, but I'd like it to get bigger before I plant it.

It seems that the neighbor can't even keep my Sabal blackburniana alive, the queen palms in their yard get all of the attention. I've been walking over with water several times a day, trying to revive it. What a pain.

How about S. palmetto?

Any new observations?

 

Here's a Sabal that I bought as S. maritima.  It's been pretty much on it's own for the last 15 months or so since I planted it as an 18" tall 5 gallon plant.  Maybe once every month I spill a few gallons of water on it.  It's approaching 5' tall.

looking good Steve. Is that the spot you removed your bizzy from?

Thanks!

Same position, but other side of the street.  Seems to grow a little better in the unamended clay.

I planted a Brahea Clara next to it that has struggled.