Growing trachycarpus fortunei in a desert climate

[Palmfarmer]

Would these thrive here? despite our hot spring summer (summer has the most rain) and autumns if given a lot of water and some shade? The Climate here is similar to phoenix in summertime i believe. However our winters are colder and we have very cold nights compared to days in the winter, 20c and 1c at night is not unusual in winter.  I allways heard trachies needs some cold time during the year to really do good so will our nighttime temps give it an advantage perhaps and are our winters cold enough? Thanks a lot 

[AZPalms]

25 minutes ago, Palmfarmer said:

Would these thrive here? despite our hot spring summer (summer has the most rain) and autumns if given a lot of water and some shade? The Climate here is similar to phoenix in summertime i believe. However our winters are colder and we have very cold nights compared to days in the winter, 20c and 1c at night is not unusual in winter.  I allways heard trachies needs some cold time during the year to really do good so will our nighttime temps give it an advantage perhaps and are our winters cold enough? Thanks a lot 

They aren’t ideal here in Phoenix. Mine gave up after being planted in half day morning/early afternoon sun. The heat and cold aren’t an issue but sun plus heat will fry them. If you’re set on a Trachy, a Wagnerianus is miles better in sun and heat. Mine pushes growth year round. 

[Palmfarmer]

3 minutes ago, AZPalms said:

They aren’t ideal here in Phoenix. Mine gave up after being planted in half day morning/early afternoon sun. The heat and cold aren’t an issue but sun plus heat will fry them. If you’re set on a Trachy, a Wagnerianus is miles better in sun and heat. Mine pushes growth year round. 

yeah i was thinking of planting it along a north facing wall to avoid most of the sun as well.  thanks, but Wagnerianus is a lot slower in growth correct? Could you share a photo of your Wagnerianus?

[AZPalms]

8 minutes ago, Palmfarmer said:

yeah i was thinking of planting it along a north facing wall to avoid most of the sun as well.  thanks, but Wagnerianus is a lot slower in growth correct? Could you share a photo of your Wagnerianus?

I wouldn’t call it slower, in fact it grows year round while the Fortunei goes to a crawl in Phoenix May-October. The Wag just pushes all year consistently. 

I’ve had this in the ground for almost two years. I’d say it’s about doubled in size overall. Slower grower, but hardly my slowest palm. 

[Palmfarmer]

thats fast, and it does fine in allmost full sun do you know?

Edited February 12, 2020 by Palmfarmer

[AZPalms]

1 minute ago, Palmfarmer said:

thats fast, and it does fine in allmost full sun do you know?

Don’t have experience with it in full sun. It would do better than the Fortunei in sun but full AZ sun, doubtful. This gets about sun up to Noon in the summer. Some slight yellowing or frond tip burn but nothing like the Fortunei which burned to death about 30 feet to the left in the same exposure. 

[Chester B]

People in California say Trachycarpus princeps do well for them in full sun. Perhaps this would be worth trying instead. 

[Palmfarmer]

Just now, Chester B said:

People in California say Trachycarpus princeps do well for them in full sun. Perhaps this would be worth trying instead. 

Thanks for the tip will look into it but i doubt i will be able to obtain it domesticly. Perhaps i could buy something from the US. Does anyone know how long palms can survive in a package before they start to die? I think i plant  wagnerianus close to the northfacing wall of my house so i only get some morning and evening sun and it will be fine?

[Trustandi]

I second the trachycarpus princeps. Fortuneis love our cloudy and wet pnw winters.