Best way to plant Yucca Rostrata in Tennessee?

[maskedmole]

I'm getting yucca rostrata soon as a gift and I need to know whether to just plant it in regular soil or do I need to amend the soil first and make it like cactus soil? If so, what do I need to amend with? Also should I plant in a raised bed? I heard raised beds provide more well draining soil but they also take away cold hardiness as they freeze up. How true is that? I thought about making like a raised bed with concrete blocks and making cactus soil for it. Either that or planting it on a steep slope in my yard so precipitation will not stay there very long and run off.

Edited March 6, 2022 by maskedmole

[Palmensammler]

Hi,

looks like your temperatures are very similar to mine. I planted all my yuccas in well draining soil giving them as much sun as possible. I didn't use a raised bed otherwise I need to raise my whole garden Before planting the yuccas I took of 30cm/~0,4 inches of soil and filled the garden with gravel and other draining stuff and covered everything with lava gravel.

Depending on your soil a raised bed might be an easier solution.

Eckhard

[teddytn]

On 3/5/2022 at 10:45 PM, maskedmole said:

I'm getting yucca rostrata soon as a gift and I need to know whether to just plant it in regular soil or do I need to amend the soil first and make it like cactus soil? If so, what do I need to amend with? Also should I plant in a raised bed? I heard raised beds provide more well draining soil but they also take away cold hardiness as they freeze up. How true is that? I thought about making like a raised bed with concrete blocks and making cactus soil for it. Either that or planting it on a steep slope in my yard so precipitation will not stay there very long and run off.

I’ve had rostratas growing here in TN for a bunch of years. The cold has never been a problem in my experience. I have 3 I planted in a raised bed that is pure gravel and sand, and 1 that was planted in the ground with just amended clay soil. The 3 in the raised bed are at least double if not triple the size of the in ground planted one. I would recommend a raised bed, even if it’s just a ring of rocks or pieces of wood. Doesn’t have to be perfect, just get it up out of the wet soil will help long term for sure. There’s a picture somewhere of a giant rostrata near pigeon forge, I’ll see if I can find it. Easily 15’ tall

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, teddytn said:

I’ve had rostratas growing here in TN for a bunch of years. The cold has never been a problem in my experience. I have 3 I planted in a raised bed that is pure gravel and sand, and 1 that was planted in the ground with just amended clay soil. The 3 in the raised bed are at least double if not triple the size of the in ground planted one. I would recommend a raised bed, even if it’s just a ring of rocks or pieces of wood. Doesn’t have to be perfect, just get it up out of the wet soil will help long term for sure. There’s a picture somewhere of a giant rostrata near pigeon forge, I’ll see if I can find it. Easily 15’ tall

  Was gonna say ..if anyone has mastered growing these there, it is you..

[Chester B]

These are pretty forgiving plants.  I've done nothing special for them, other than amending the soil when I plant.  So mine are in reasonably well drained soil with lots of sun.

Edited March 7, 2022 by Chester B

[maskedmole]

3 hours ago, teddytn said:

I’ve had rostratas growing here in TN for a bunch of years. The cold has never been a problem in my experience. I have 3 I planted in a raised bed that is pure gravel and sand, and 1 that was planted in the ground with just amended clay soil. The 3 in the raised bed are at least double if not triple the size of the in ground planted one. I would recommend a raised bed, even if it’s just a ring of rocks or pieces of wood. Doesn’t have to be perfect, just get it up out of the wet soil will help long term for sure. There’s a picture somewhere of a giant rostrata near pigeon forge, I’ll see if I can find it. Easily 15’ tall

Thank you. I saw some of your pictures, they look really nice. I think I know which Rostrata you are talking about because I saw a giant one when I was a kid in Pigeon Forge! It was breathtaking. 

Edited March 7, 2022 by maskedmole

[kozel_93]

On 3/7/2022 at 4:18 PM, Chester B said:

These are pretty forgiving plants.  I've done nothing special for them, other than amending the soil when I plant.  So mine are in reasonably well drained soil with lots of sun.

@Chester B old post, but just curious, how'd you amend the spoil for your rostrata? looks great!

[Chester B]

I mix in some compost or any sort of lighter soil to help improve drainage and add some nutrients.