Here is the biggest one. It's planted in a concrete planter that extends down into the groundwater, so it never needs watering, though it still gets irrigated just by being in the garden.

This picture gives you both an Idea of where it is and why we not only planted it here, but also why we built this(LOT of CONCRETE).

And this is the neighbor, just up the steps. I posted this one for Stevetoad--he said he's on a Pinanga binge right now... Usually this maculata goes through winter and looks horrible, but this looks like the first winter it has liked(or it has gotten big enough to handle it). I love the blue and yellow in the leaf.

Here is the next biggest one we have, followed by a few smaller ones that have not found any color yet.

Notice how the palms right above, are already clustering heavily? They also have new green leaves and are pretty darn slow.

Now these are some of the reputed 'cold hardy' Lipsticks. Not only are these palms quite a bit faster than the standard, but they have not seemed to want to pup at all, yet.

You may have also noticed, but in case you didn't, these hybrid palms also flush a new burgundy leaf. This trait is slowly getting more pronounced as they get larger. I really can't speak on how they do in the cold, since we don't really get too much cold very often at all.. please feel free to add comments or personal experiences with these palms. The more you grow these palms, the more you begin to understand why they are so coveted.

Nice, thats a cool idea to extend the concrete planter down to the water level. A most like a well....did you fill it with real organic mulch?

For the most part, yes; we dug down till we hit water. Then we removed all the rock and filled the hole with water. The planter never truly drained and at that point, we knew it was gonna be a great spot. After that, we measured the right depth for the plant and backfilled it with peat, then saturated the peat. Once that was wet and the wick effect in place, we planted and aside from a space heater on a few cold nights, it's carefree and quite the site, while kayaking.

I believe success with this palm has far more to do with low temperatures rather than being grown in swamp like conditions.My largest one at my beach place is almost 12 feet tall and has been planted there for over 12 years.It is growing in almost pure sand.I mixed peat moss in the planting hole when first planted and have mulched it with rice hulls almost every year.It is hand watered two or three times per week - thats it.

We get no rain,zero for six months but my lowest temps are in the upper 60s for a few hours and then its low 90s for highs.Blazing hot sun for six months as well.

I think growing them in standing water (cold water) is not the way to grow this palm.

This one has been planted here for about six years and gets some shade.The soil stays moist a little longer than the one planted in full sun.

we lost the biggest trunk during the 2010 freeze but the palm survives

Scott, that's a real nice orange form. Are you implying that your Lipstick is drought tolerant? I personally don't believe such a thing is possible--I would guess there is some ground water very close and your palm has tapped into it. Have you ever dug down deep to see if this is so? I have definitely seen this palm growing in water on more occasions than not, but cold water sounds like a very bad idea.

Mike, I remember that trip--good times!

Scott, that's a real nice orange form. Are you implying that your Lipstick is drought tolerant? I personally don't believe such a thing is possible--I would guess there is some ground water very close and your palm has tapped into it. Have you ever dug down deep to see if this is so? I have definitely seen this palm growing in water on more occasions than not, but cold water sounds like a very bad idea.

I am not saying they are drought tolerant,but I am saying they are far more tolerant than any of the articles Ive seen concerning this palm state.

It is possible my largest palm has tapped into some ground water.My wells are only about 6m deep so it is possible.

If I lived in Coral Gables or even better Key Biscayne I would plant one on a south facing wall(ideally with sun during the winter months).I would plant it in a mix of native soil(sand) and peatmoss 50/50 and would use one of those reptile heaters that can be buried under the rootball.Just to keep the soil a little warmer during those few weeks when it can stay below 60 for more than a few days.They also respond very well to Amonium Sulfate 3x per year.

You may have also noticed, but in case you didn't, these hybrid palms also flush a new burgundy leaf. This trait is slowly getting more pronounced as they get larger. I really can't speak on how they do in the cold, since we don't really get too much cold very often at all.. please feel free to add comments or personal experiences with these palms. The more you grow these palms, the more you begin to understand why they are so coveted.

Hey Andrew been growing one on my pool deck for the last 2 years with minor issues. It has been a steady grower I wouldn't say fast but steady. It did have some leaf tips that looked boron deficient but seems to be growing out of it. Curious what your using for your potting mixl for these guys. No issues with the cold so far its probably seen low 40's no problem.

Thanks, Dominic

Dominic, if you go by the books, we should all be using straight peat moss, but I am always testing various claims; if you see in my photos, I have a few different soils I am trying--one I am even testing limestone rock with--so far no issues. I believe, as long as water and warmth are given, this palm should be reliable.