Know nothing about Caribbean palms

[Ben in Norcal]

I know nothing about the following Caribbean palms, but thinking about giving one or more a try.  (Below is a list of the ones I have ready access to.)  I'm wondering which one or two would be the best place to start.  I'm borderline 9b/10a, with cool, wet winters, and blazing hot, dry summers (lots of days above 90 and probably a dozen or more above 100.)  These palms seem to have similar cultural requirements and hardiness, but for those of you that know something about these plants - where would you start?

Coccothrinax miraguama
C. fragrans
C. spissa
C. readii

Thrinax radiata
T. morrisii
T. parviflora

Thanks in advance for any views/advice!

 

[SHEP]

Ben, have three T. Morrissi, it was a nice lookin cluster with one large, and two small ones at base.  Transplanted early summer.  Have done well, until this winter.  I didn't do any soil modifications, except added compost to my clay. 

They are next to house, get morning, early afternoon sun.  I protected them this winter with my tripod of pvc, and then Agribond AG70, which is 30% light transmission, and supposedly gives up to 8 degrees protection, and they are lookin punky.  Spears are coming, but, they aren't happy.  So, I don't know if its our clay, cold, or moisture from all the rain.  Spears are coming up, but, I am not optimistic.  My yard is in a colder than yours.  My kings next to them look great, but, they were in front of a window, but, I am not sure if there is that much heat transfer with dual pane.  They, also, had a different set up for the cold. But, they are "Inge Hoffman" type as well.  We made a roll of Agribond above them, kind of like a window shade, and lowered it down to ground. 

We took pictures to for my cold setup, but, I never got around to posting them on PalmTalk. 

I am jealous, I really wanted that R. Cycadafolia from that guy in Lafayette,  it was very cute.  I didn't want to throw my money out the window without knowing anything about them.  How is it doing?

I got my T Morrissi from Kevin Weaver, and they were beautiful, healthy plants. Cecile 

[Sabal Steve]

Ben, 

I grow the following, and after a few years, they all seem to be doing fine:

Copernicia macroglossa, Thrinax radiata, Cocothrinax fragrans, and Cocothrinax miraguama.  The Sabals I planted do fine as well.

My nights can hover around 40 for brief periods, on the coldest nights.

[Ben in Norcal]

Thank you, Cecile and Steve!  Anyone else with experiencing these in marginal/non-native climates?  Any other recommendations appreciated!

[Hilo Jason]

Coccothrinax Spissa has done great for me. It's seen as low as 29 and as high as 110 and never shown any stress. Planted in full sun. 

Readii also seems tough. Miraguama has been a bit more sensitive for me, showing some cold damage, but not too bad. Another great one for me, but harder to find is Coccothrinax Montana. 

[Ben in Norcal]

Thanks, guys, this has been helpful.  I am thinking that between the above and pictures on the web, I will give C. readii and T. radiata/morisii a try up here.  I'll have to keep you informed as to how they do!

[JasonD]

Hi Ben,
 

I have seen Coccothrinax montana languish in a couple of different locations in San Francisco, a disappointment considering the high-altitude origins (1800m - 1900m ASL in the Dominican Republic) of this species. I suspect you would have greater success with it thanks to your heat. C. montana doesn't quite die, but it barely grows here in the fog belt.

C. scoparia, from moderate elevations in the DR, also languished in the fog belt and died out.

Sabal domingensis and S. causiarum should work well for you. You might also try Coccothrinax argentata, whose habitat reaches Palm Beach County (with an acaulescent habit there).

[Ben in Norcal]

5 hours ago, JasonD said:

Hi Ben,
 

I have seen Coccothrinax montana languish in a couple of different locations in San Francisco, a disappointment considering the high-altitude origins (1800m - 1900m ASL in the Dominican Republic) of this species. I suspect you would have greater success with it thanks to your heat. C. montana doesn't quite die, but it barely grows here in the fog belt.

C. scoparia, from moderate elevations in the DR, also languished in the fog belt and died out.

Sabal domingensis and S. causiarum should work well for you. You might also try Coccothrinax argentata, whose habitat reaches Palm Beach County (with an acaulescent habit there).

Always appreciate your local advice, Jason - even if our climates may be more different than folks hundreds or thousands of miles away!

BTW - the T. princeps I posted in another thread is one of yours!