Winterize Majesty Palm Zone 9b

[mxcolin]

I have an outdoor Majesty Palm planted in a self watering planter and it has thrived throughout the summer. I know these are fairly cold intolerant however our winters are fairly mild and only very occasionally and for a short part of the day does the temperature ever drop below 30F. It reaches at least 50F on pretty much every single day during December and January (really our only "cold" months). I would rather not bring it inside so I'm looking for some tips to keep it warm through Dec/Jan. The planter has a water filled reservoir between the inside and outside walls so I'm thinking that will keep it a little warmer. Any thoughts appreciated.

[kinzyjr]

There are at least 8 in-ground plantings that I know of near the southeast side of Lake Parker here in Lakeland, FL - also considered 9b, but a very different 9b than the conditions you have in Sacramento.  A few of them were around for Jan. 2010 and made it through for what that is worth.

[Estlander]

I don’t think you need to do anything to winterize a Majesty palm in Cali 9b, even if it’s in a pot, and especially if you keep it on a patio.  I have found them to be very cool tolerant palms and quite cold hardy as well. 
At 26F they spot a little bit but that’s it. 

[mxcolin]

Sounds like I might just leave it where it is. Thanks!!!

[GottmitAlex]

4 hours ago, Estlander said:

I don’t think you need to do anything to winterize a Majesty palm in Cali 9b, even if it’s in a pot, and especially if you keep it on a patio.  I have found them to be very cool tolerant palms and quite cold hardy as well. 
At 26F they spot a little bit but that’s it. 

Hear, hear!

[RedRabbit]

6 hours ago, kinzyjr said:

There are at least 8 in-ground plantings that I know of near the southeast side of Lake Parker here in Lakeland, FL - also considered 9b, but a very different 9b than the conditions you have in Sacramento.  A few of them were around for Jan. 2010 and made it through for what that is worth.

Yep, lots of big majesties that have probably been in the ground 20+ years around here. I wouldn't worry about them in 9B.

[Merlyn]

I had some issues with a pair of Majesties at 2 cold fronts of ~33F last winter, but they had gotten a bit torched in August/September after I had a big shading water oak removed in July.  So they were unhappy going into winter and had pretty significant browning of the older leaves after the two cold fronts.  But the spears and newer leaves were all fine and they recovered okay...until I had the other 5 shading water oaks cut down this summer.  Now they really hate me, but at least I transplanted them to my "tropical" bed that gets drenched every morning.  The three in a shady moist area in the backyard had only a little spotting/brown tips from the same cold fronts.

I'd think if they are currently healthy and you can keep them from drying out or getting a severe frost they'll be fine into the upper 20s.  My notes on it say they are generally good to around 27-28F but take variably moderate to severe damage below that.

[awkonradi]

That water-filled planter is interesting.  Looks like you could install a heating element inside, via the access ports.  If you did that, then I bet you could grow a coconut in Sacramento!  Sorry about the thread-jack.  Good luck with your Ravenea.

[mxcolin]

That’s an interesting thought. Never considered that one. I suppose you could. Not that you anyone sells those around here. 

[awkonradi]

Maybe that can be a project for me.  I am west of you in the Bay Area, also 9B.

[pj_orlando_z9b]

In Cali 9b, the bigger challenge may be keeping it somewhat wet and I thought they liked humidity. In Orlando,  28F knocked a young one back and I did lose another small one. But they're tough. Here is my largest. 

[RedRabbit]

2 hours ago, pj_orlando_z9b said:

In Cali 9b, the bigger challenge may be keeping it somewhat wet and I thought they liked humidity. In Orlando,  28F knocked a young one back and I did lose another small one. But they're tough. Here is my largest. 

I’m surprised you lost one to 28f. Many of them here survived 25f in 2010.

[bar]

I live in Sac, near the zoo.  I think if you have it under the awning, or whatever that is in the photo, you should be fine.  If you live near the grid, you probably have nothing to worry about.  I see Brugmansias on 19th street that never get frosted.  I wonder if that part of town has even  had a frost in recent years.  Someone near me has a Caryota doing very well.  I guess it all depends on the microclimate of your neighborhood.

BTW have you heard about the zoo's quest to move, and the idea of a Botanical Garden taking its place? (not trying to hijack the thread!)

[Estlander]

Here’s one of two that I have in ground here on the coastal FL panhandle 9A. 
They’ve been through two winters, including the winter of 2017-18, during which they saw several nights in the upper 20’s (26F +) and one night at 23F. They did fine until that 23F, lol. The only protection they had was a towel around the growing point. 

Needless to say the 23F burned the fronds pretty bad. Only the lower half of the spear remained green. Both recovered nicely and are now almost 7ft. tall. Last winter the lowest they saw was 33F, so no damage then, of course. Fingers crossed for another warm winter. 
 

Edited November 3, 2019 by Estlander

[GottmitAlex]

15 minutes ago, Estlander said:

Here’s one of two that I have in ground here on the coastal FL panhandle 9A. 
They’ve been through two winters, including the winter of 2017-18, during which they saw several nights in the upper 20’s (26F +) and one night at 23F. They did fine until that 23F, lol. The only protection they had was a towel around the growing point. 

Needless to say the 23F burned the fronds pretty bad. Only the lower half of the spear remained green. Both recovered nicely and are now almost 7ft. tall. Last winter the lowest they saw was 33F, so no damage then, of course. Fingers crossed for another warm winter. 
 

It's beautiful. Fantastic job!

[enigma99]

I live in Rocklin, (Outside of Sac about 30 min for those on the east coast) typical winter is 27-29f. 
 

Raveneas grow well here, but I will add a couple things. Typically they are greenhouse grown for their green foliage and don’t take the Sun well at all. They will eventually adapt but look best with some shade imho. Yours will be fine. In fact, I would start looking for a place to plant it eventually 

[enigma99]

13 hours ago, bar said:

BTW have you heard about the zoo's quest to move, and the idea of a Botanical Garden taking its place? (not trying to hijack the thread!)

I knew about the plan to possibly move it to sleep train arena or somewhere else but never knew about the botanical garden plan. If that does happen, I would like to see a palm section with palms that grow well here, Archontophoenix, Raveneas, howeas, etc. So much more than Queens grow here. Would be nice to get that on display 

[pj_orlando_z9b]

19 hours ago, RedRabbit said:

I’m surprised you lost one to 28f. Many of them here survived 25f in 2010.

It was not the healthiest. It's in a part of my yard where plants struggle. 

[Rain52]

few larger ones at the beaches.. jax beach