Anyone growing palms in the Tucson area? The combination of intense sun, low humidity, and slightly freezing temperatures during the winter narrows what can be grown. I’m possibly looking into relocating and wondering what works out there. I have small palms growing in containers for my next house:

Brahea Armata

Brahea Decumbens 

Brahea “Clara Icy Blue”

Brahea “Super Silver”

Brahea Dulcis “Blue”

Sabal Uresana

Jubaea Chilensis 

Jubaea x Butia

Butia Capitata

Phoenix Sylvestris

Phoenix Dactylifera

Phoenix Theophrastii

Phoenix Canariensis

Trithrinax Campestris  

Serenoa Repens

Chamaerops Humilis Cerifera 

Dypsis Decaryi

Ill leave out what I think would work or not work and see what people say. Also any recommendations on cycads that work well? 

Thanks

Edited September 22, 20196 yr by Meangreen94z

Still an awesome amount of palms that can be grown your very lucky 

@Tom in Tucson should have pretty good feedback to share. Would also look over the list of palm sp.  planted/ growing in the UofA ( University of Arizona ) Campus Arborteium's list. @Eric in Orlando posted a thread regarding some he got to see there some time ago.  Might make a trip there in the next few weeks myself.  For Cycads, Gene Joseph who owns Livingstones Nursery / Plants For The Southwest grows several sp.  Also has at least 1 Bismarck is growing outside his Nursery. 

Depending on which side of town you end up, if you end up moving out this way,  will determine how big or restricted your palm / Cycad lists will be.  Colder closer to the rivers / near canyons, warmer in areas like the east facing slopes of the Tucson Mountains just west of i- 10, Casa Adobes area on to n.w. side of town.  Overall however, Tucson has been trending warmer though.  If you're into them, there's a nursery that specializes in Bamboo ( Bamboo Ranch ), Inc. some varieties I'd never expect to see anyone try in the Desert.  

As you already know, fairly diverse amount of Cacti, Succulent, Agave grow well in Tucson. There's even a couple " Hurcules" Aloe planted at Tohono Chul Park.  Wasn't anticipating seeing those there. 

Thanks. Since you mentioned them I realized I forgot to put Bismarckia Nobilis on my list. I have 3 of them. We are considering either Tucson or the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. It’s 10a down there and a little wetter than Tucson(about 22 inches a year). But far less than the 50+ Inches we get in Houston. Just east of us received 45 inches last week from Tropical Storm Imelda. Flooding in the last 5 years has seemingly become an annual thing with atleast 4 major events in the area. I’ve lucked out so far.

15 minutes ago, Meangreen94z said:

Thanks. Since you mentioned them I realized I forgot to put Bismarckia Nobilis on my list. I have 3 of them. We are considering either Tucson or the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. It’s 10a down there and a little wetter than Tucson(about 22 inches a year). But far less than the 50+ Inches we get in Houston. Just east of us received 45 inches last week from Tropical Storm Imelda. Flooding in the last 5 years has seemingly become an annual thing with atleast 4 major events in the area. I’ve lucked out so far.

I'd seen you'd mentioned both potential choices over on Agaveville..  Pretty crazy that Houston has seen such extreme rain events in less than two years.. 

While I can't speak for Southern Texas,  Tucson itself has really taken off in the last ..say decade or two..  and is anticipating substantial continued growth going forward.. Might not average quite as much rain as the Rio Grande Valley but certainly does better than up this way, even this year which has been a complete dud, and they take conservation of water resources seriously ( compared to here ) also.  

Certainly wouldn't hurt to plan a couple visits ( w/ some hiking trips / trip up to Mt. Lemmon, the Santa Ritas south of town ) just to get a feel for the area.  Access to beaches? Puerto Penasco is a 3-5 hour drive south, very safe.  Someone I used to work for is building a home / bar down there.  San Diego?, roughly 7 or 8 hours west. This time of year they ( san diego ) advertise all sorts of reduced rates / freebie stuff for families, if you have kids..  Great break from the summer heat regardless.  That said, heat thru the summer, at this point, averages about 3-8 degrees less there than in/ around Phoenix, and it is a lot easier to escape the heat there ( access to the mountains is much closer / easier ) and like I mentioned, they typically get much more rain. 

I rarely look back on a decision as a " made a mistake"  but moving to AZ, I should have listened to my first instinct and headed south.  Still would likely be headed back to CA.  but so much more to offer down there than here. 

Thanks. Everyone seems to recommend Tucson over Phoenix. California would be great, but I think Tucson is close enough that I can occasionally visit, as well as Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, West Texas etc.

If you have anything else you can recommend in Tucson; neighborhoods, things to do, etc. Feel free to post it. Thanks

I’ll throw in my $.02 cents. Good palm list. Many will do great in AZ. Weather being equal enough between the two (Tuc is generally wetter and cooler) I’d consider your occupation for relocation. I moved out here in 2008 for college and stayed in the Phoenix metro, I generally prefer it. The job market in Phoenix has a greater offering and higher paying positions. Cost of living in Tucson is lower. If you like nightlife or entertainment (sports, concerts etc), Phoenix is better. Travel out of Tucson isn’t as good, fewer direct flights. 

Outdoor activities I’d give an edge to Tucson. Culture is different between the two. Phoenix feels more like a SoCal urban sprawl and Tucson feels more like a large community.  Don’t plan on knowing your neighbors well in PHX. Tucson is also much bluer than PHX. Traffic is much much better there as well. 

I’d plan a visit in winter and mid summer if you haven’t been. It can be an acquired taste for some. 

http://www.trebrown.com/documents/climate/palmhardinesstrials.php

Thanks. We will be out in November. I’ve passed through both cities in May and June a few years ago  and briefly stopped. I wouldn’t be opposed to Phoenix but the heat of Tucson has even been a hard sell to my wife. When you factor in our near constant 100% humidity in Houston,the heat index is comparable to Tucson. Atleast in the desert you get some escape in the shade. My wife struggles to grasp the concept of a desert being more pleasant.

The Rio Grande Valley is about 5*F hotter in the summer than Houston, but 85% humidity. It drops slightly as you go further inland but I’ve noticed a constant breeze in most places we stopped. The air in Houston is typically dead in comparison. It felt far drier and bareable down there for that reason.

I think Tucson gets the nod in overall things to do, but the Rio Grande Valley is a near ideal climate to grow just about anything. It’s kind of a poor mans San Diego. Land is dirt cheap and most homes are built on large lots dating back to it being a rural, farmland area.

 

Edited September 23, 20196 yr by Meangreen94z

50 minutes ago, GottmitAlex said:

http://www.trebrown.com/documents/climate/palmhardinesstrials.php

Thanks. That list is great.

2 hours ago, Meangreen94z said:

 

The Rio Grande Valley is about 5*F hotter in the summer than Houston, but 85% humidity. It drops slightly as you go further inland but I’ve noticed a constant breeze in most places we stopped. The air in Houston is typically dead in comparison. It felt far drier and bareable down there for that reason.

 

I think you just got lucky, when did you visit? I haven't been to the inland RGV, but Brownsville and the coast are hot hot hot. I didn't experience any drop in humidity, if anything it was even more brutal. Summer dew points in Brownsville/South Padre are actually slightly higher than in Houston/Galveston. Add in the higher heat and the stronger sun = 100% more oppressive than Houston. 

13 hours ago, Meangreen94z said:

Anyone growing palms in the Tucson area? The combination of intense sun, low humidity, and slightly freezing temperatures during the winter narrows what can be grown. I’m possibly looking into relocating and wondering what works out there. I have small palms growing in containers for my next house:

Brahea Armata

Brahea Decumbens 

Brahea “Clara Icy Blue”

Brahea “Super Silver”

Brahea Dulcis “Blue”

Sabal Uresana

Jubaea Chilensis 

Jubaea x Butia

Butia Capitata

Phoenix Sylvestris

Phoenix Dactylifera

Phoenix Theophrastii

Phoenix Canariensis

Trithrinax Campestris  

Serenoa Repens

Chamaerops Humilis Cerifera 

Dypsis Decaryi

Ill leave out what I think would work or not work and see what people say. Also any recommendations on cycads that work well? 

Thanks

Most species of Brahea do well here. Jubaea and Parajubaea struggle here, but their hybrids do well. Jubaeopsis seems to like it. The 2 Beccariophoenix alfredii I've grown here for 5 years seem to like it as well. I only have 1 Bismarckia and it has not recovered from transplanting shock yet. The 2 Trithrinax campestris seem to be bulletproof. Butia odorata and Mule palms are fast growing. I'm having good luck with Livistona seedlings (alfredii, mariae, and victoriae). Although Medemia argun likes the heat, I haven't tested my seedlings outdoors through our winters yet. Common Phoenix species except for pygmies do well. Of coarse Washingtonia  sp. do well, and I'm partial to pure filifera. Most non-tropical Sabal sp. like it as well. Chamaerops do well, but are slow. My Beccariophoenix alfredii have done so well I'm now growing some from seed. Cycads are sensitive to summer sun, but I'd like to try some of those from "the outback".

HTH

Hi 98˚, Lo 62˚

1 hour ago, Xenon said:

I think you just got lucky, when did you visit? I haven't been to the inland RGV, but Brownsville and the coast are hot hot hot. I didn't experience any drop in humidity, if anything it was even more brutal. Summer dew points in Brownsville/South Padre are actually slightly higher than in Houston/Galveston. Add in the higher heat and the stronger sun = 100% more oppressive than Houston. 

We went in July. I admit the last day we stayed at an RV Park on South Padre Island and all the concrete made it brutal. We didn’t hang out there much, mostly on the beach or sightseeing. The prior days we spent at Bentsen state park on the Rio Grande in Mission, and wondered around  McAllen, Donna, Harlingen,etc. I always felt a strong breeze that made things seem cooler in the shade. It was 99-102*F the days we were out there,from what I remember seeing online.

Edited September 23, 20196 yr by Meangreen94z

51 minutes ago, Tom in Tucson said:

Most species of Brahea do well here. Jubaea and Parajubaea struggle here, but their hybrids do well. Jubaeopsis seems to like it. The 2 Beccariophoenix alfredii I've grown here for 5 years seem to like it as well. I only have 1 Bismarckia and it has not recovered from transplanting shock yet. The 2 Trithrinax campestris seem to be bulletproof. Butia odorata and Mule palms are fast growing. I'm having good luck with Livistona seedlings (alfredii, mariae, and victoriae). Although Medemia argun likes the heat, I haven't tested my seedlings outdoors through our winters yet. Common Phoenix species except for pygmies do well. Of coarse Washingtonia  sp. do well, and I'm partial to pure filifera. Most non-tropical Sabal sp. like it as well. Chamaerops do well, but are slow. My Beccariophoenix alfredii have done so well I'm now growing some from seed. Cycads are sensitive to summer sun, but I'd like to try some of those from "the outback".

HTH

Hi 98˚, Lo 62˚

Jubaea struggle here from the humidity. They seem to be selective in their operating range, good to hear on everything else. It pretty much aligns with their origins and what I read online. 

I have a few Australian Cycas and Macrozamia that I think would love the change of scenery. They’ve all done well so far here, but our wet, occasionally too cold winters are the tricky part.

Edited September 23, 20196 yr by Meangreen94z

How about the Iranian/Afghan/Pakistan forms of Nannorrhops?

That’s another one I forgot to mention. I have seedlings of Nannorhorps Ritcheana and the not cold hardy Arabica Silver. I planned on keeping the Arabica in pots although they might survive in South Texas.

Hot is hot. I was just in Kailua, a tropical paradise, and it was just like home. Difference is, it stays like that year around. And there’s no AC. With that said, I would still live there in a heartbeat if my work permitted.

Whether it’s a dry 115 or a humid 95, you will probably be inside during the heat of the day. There is something to be said for the cool off at night in a dry climate, but I’ve read that it’s not as substantial in Phoenix as it use to be due to the concrete.

Also, look carefully in Arizona, I’ve read about some freezes in recent history that were pretty severe. Microclimates are much more important out there.