Dypsis decaryii (Triangle palm)

[metalfan]

Would this palm be able to be grown in the ground in Gainesville FL (zone 9A)?

[NickJames]

14 hours ago, metalfan said:

Would this palm be able to be grown in the ground in Gainesville FL (zone 9A)?

No

[kinzyjr]

14 hours ago, metalfan said:

Would this palm be able to be grown in the ground in Gainesville FL (zone 9A)?

The data agrees with Nick.  They don't handle temperatures under 26F all that well.  They might live, but they'll take significant damage in most cases.

[metalfan]

We had 2 nights of 24 and 25 last winter. We are getting significantly warmer over each winter for the past 10 years. Maybe in the future.

[Merlyn]

I have a 10 foot tall one out in the open, unprotected from frost.  It took about 25% damage at 27F with frost at the end of January.  Looking at the spreadsheet this seems consistent with "some damage" starting around 27-28F.  There's one report of defoliation at 23F and survival.  But other reports are 26F and death...so it seems questionable in your area.  With 2 nights at 24 and 25F that probably would have killed even a mature specimen.

[D Palm]

They can tolerate some frost and start suffering defoliation at hard freeze temps (28F). I don’t know what the significance of 23F but when we hit that number a lot of my somewhat hardy (BoP, bizzy, Pygmy date palm, etc) suffer damage. 28F and 23F are benchmarks I use to determine protection. 

I have only seen them in S. Florida and they more often than not they look neglected if not fed properly.

If you decide to grow good luck and keep us updated!

[metalfan]

How do they do in container culture?

[HiwaKika]

14 hours ago, metalfan said:

How do they do in container culture?

Here's one I have living in a stubby 7gal since 2015. Just pulled it away from a wall to take a pic. It's now 15' tall, was probably 8-ish just past the truck's tailgate when I got it - two identical ones from Mickey Hargitay Jr. (look that name up). I believe it originally came from Hilo - the undersized container is usually a telltale sign of Rancho Soledad – Palms of Paradise. Haven't found a place for it so it stays perfectly happy in the same bucket after many winters of sub-freezing 9B temps. Don't think it ever saw low 20s though. In ground it should do much better, maybe take a 9A somewhere.

[Blueman]

In 10A southern FL many D. decaryii were damaged by frost this year, and this was a relatively mild cold snap for us, not nearly as cold as Gainesville.  I've lost them previously in 9B.  In FL outside of 10B they usually need to be under evergreen canopy for the microclimate & frost protection.  But they also need a good amount of sun to grow well, so the canopy needs enough height to allow for that.  Even under canopy, 9A is pushing it.  

[kinzyjr]

On 6/19/2022 at 8:20 AM, metalfan said:

How do they do in container culture?

They are alright so long as the medium doesn't get soggy.  My seedlings seem to like having a longer dry cycle than other Dypsis and they're a lot happier if I water the medium without getting any in the crown.  If you're one to get a little heavy-handed with the watering can, planting the seedlings in almost pure expanded clay can alleviate the over-watering issue. 

I use Hydroballs: https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-HydroBalls-Lightweight-Terrarium/dp/B00167TXY0

[GottmitAlex]

Another spear opened up on mine today!

[metalfan]

cool! Yeah I use Aliflor as a mix in for aroid potting. Always have a 35 gallon trashcan on hand