Anyone know of any updates on the ruschiana x butia???

 

a clustering mule hybrid would be pretty cool

On 4/20/2023 at 5:00 PM, ChicagoPalma said:

People in poland grow butias and i know a couple who grow queen palm

So you know of a queen palm growing in Poland?? That would have to get a specialist shelter and supplemental heating for 3-4 months of the year to survive. Even then it would be a challenge given the light requirements of Syagrus (they need a lot of sunlight and hate being wrapped up with poor airflow).

As of right now, there is only one proper pure Syragus Rom growing outdoors in the UK (unprotected) that I know about. That is in Falmouth/St Mawes, which is one of the mildest parts of Cornwall and a solid 9b Zone, where they actually get 10a winters a lot of the years nowadays. The absolute warmest hardiness zone in Poland is 8a really along the north baltic coast.

On 11/3/2024 at 2:02 PM, UK_Palms said:

So you know of a queen palm growing in Poland?? That would have to get a specialist shelter and supplemental heating for 3-4 months of the year to survive. Even then it would be a challenge given the light requirements of Syagrus (they need a lot of sunlight and hate being wrapped up with poor airflow).

As of right now, there is only one proper pure Syragus Rom growing outdoors in the UK (unprotected) that I know about. That is in Falmouth/St Mawes, which is one of the mildest parts of Cornwall and a solid 9b Zone, where they actually get 10a winters a lot of the years nowadays. The absolute warmest hardiness zone in Poland is 8a really along the north baltic coast.

People in poland have grown even less hardier stuff, using a box made of polycarbonate and c9 mini lights wrapped around the palm or some type of heater in the box. Some people also add vents or fans to keep airflow going. I also know someone on the zone-pushers facebook group who grows a queen palm in ohio using the good ol' foamboard box and c9 lights way.  Its very possible if you are interested in it.

On 11/7/2024 at 3:59 PM, ChicagoPalma said:

People in poland have grown even less hardier stuff, using a box made of polycarbonate and c9 mini lights wrapped around the palm or some type of heater in the box. Some people also add vents or fans to keep airflow going. I also know someone on the zone-pushers facebook group who grows a queen palm in ohio using the good ol' foamboard box and c9 lights way.  Its very possible if you are interested in it.

I don't doubt that they could keep a Queen alive through winter with a box and c9 lights in Poland or Chicago or wherever, but it just isn't going to grow or do well at all. In fact it will look like crap if that is the case. Syagrus needs a ton of light to grow well and depriving it of all winter sun is going to stop it growing and cause problems going into spring. I would say sunshine levels are the biggest obstacle with growing Syagrus in marginal zones. They also need good airflow and hate being wrapped for long periods.

Also there is a big difference between boxing up a queen and using c9 lights for only 1-2 weeks during a freeze event in say a marginal 9a zone like in southern England/PNW/Carolinas, parts of New Zealand etc... compared to having to box up a queen and use c9 lights for 3 months straight of winter in zone 6 or zone 7 for Poland and mid-west USA. They need to be getting sun and mild temps for about 11 months of the year if you want to see any appreciable growth. As opposed to just keeping the stump alive with a box and c9 lights.

Can you post any evidence of these Polish Syagrus, or the Chicago one? I don't doubt you but it would be interested in seeing how they are actually fairing in said zones, where they would need solid protection from December right through to March...? I have my suspicions that they are not even worth the time, but do prove me wrong...?? 🤔