Hydriastele beguinii hardiness !

[Jungle Yard]

I am wondering if anyone grows Hydriastele beguinii (Obi Island form) outdoors in South-West or Central Florida. For how long is it growing outside?

Most importantly, what was the lowest temperature that your palm had to endure outside and survive? Thank you!

[Merlyn]

There's not a lot of hardiness data on them, but there are two reports in Kinzyjr's spreadsheet.  Both were death at 28.5F and 29F, the 29F was at Leu Gardens in Orlando during the 2009 extended 29F cold front.  The other reports are in the Freeze Damage forum:

 

[Hurricanepalms]

I have several from 10" to 5'. They all survived 36 with light frost in open areas this winter.  I had some minor leaf burn on one of my more exposed younger ones, but it has fully recovered. A beautiful and underutilized palm. I am in Central coastal Brevard county.

Edited July 10, 2022 by Hurricanepalms

[Jungle Yard]

8 minutes ago, Hurricanepalms said:

I have several from 10" to 5'. They all survived 36 with light frost in open areas this winter.  I had some minor leaf burn on one of my more exposed younger ones, but it has fully recovered. A beautiful and underutilized palm. I am in Central coastal Brevard county.

Thank you for the info. 

[Jungle Yard]

38 minutes ago, Merlyn said:

There's not a lot of hardiness data on them, but there are two reports in Kinzyjr's spreadsheet.  Both were death at 28.5F and 29F, the 29F was at Leu Gardens in Orlando during the 2009 extended 29F cold front.  The other reports are in the Freeze Damage forum:

 

Thank your. Very helpful. 

[Blueman]

I'm in 10A southern FL, in from the Gulf.  Frost is the big killer here, more so than low temps, we've bottomed out in the high 20's here a few times over the last 2 decades.  My 10B plants are all planted under evergreen canopy of trees and taller hardy palms.  My 3' H. beguinii are under oaks & were unaffected by the January freeze/frost this year.  They also are surprisingly tolerant of my alkaline sand soil.  

I trim lower branches off the oaks which gives me 20-30 feet of clearance for tropical palms.  

There's no way beguinii would survive our cold snaps here in an exposed site.  A few miles closer to the coast and they'd be fine.  

 

[Jungle Yard]

On 7/10/2022 at 10:54 PM, Blueman said:

I'm in 10A southern FL, in from the Gulf.  Frost is the big killer here, more so than low temps, we've bottomed out in the high 20's here a few times over the last 2 decades.  My 10B plants are all planted under evergreen canopy of trees and taller hardy palms.  My 3' H. beguinii are under oaks & were unaffected by the January freeze/frost this year.  They also are surprisingly tolerant of my alkaline sand soil.  

I trim lower branches off the oaks which gives me 20-30 feet of clearance for tropical palms.  

There's no way beguinii would survive our cold snaps here in an exposed site.  A few miles closer to the coast and they'd be fine.  

 

Thank you for the post. I have 14 oaks with about 20-30 ft high space under them that I utilize for planting my most tropical plants. Lots of palms. I guess I should plant H. beguinii out, under those oaks. 

[Blueman]

Oaks & other big evergreen trees are a blessing for us in frost prone areas.  I've seen Veitchia unscathed under big oaks in 9B when temps dropped down to mid 20's.  

[Jungle Yard]

2 hours ago, Blueman said:

Oaks & other big evergreen trees are a blessing for us in frost prone areas.  I've seen Veitchia unscathed under big oaks in 9B when temps dropped down to mid 20's.  

I grow V. joannis and V. spiralis that went through frost with some small leaf damage. 

[Beachpalms]

On 7/10/2022 at 2:27 PM, Hurricanepalms said:

I have several from 10" to 5'. They all survived 36 with light frost in open areas this winter.  I had some minor leaf burn on one of my more exposed younger ones, but it has fully recovered. A beautiful and underutilized palm. I am in Central coastal Brevard county.

I also live in Brevard County beachside. Are these growing well for you? Do they need to be wind protected? Sun or shade? I am thinking about picking one up. Thanks

[Hurricanepalms]

Hi @Beachpalms, they are growing very well. Such a tropical look and very low maintenance. I find they grow better in the sun than in the shade. They are noticeably slower in shady conditions. Ideal location would be in a mostly sunny location with wind protection. Their leaves are quite thick and leathery. They don’t tear up that easily all things considered. 

Edited November 28, 2023 by Hurricanepalms

[Beachpalms]

41 minutes ago, Hurricanepalms said:

Hi @Beachpalms, they are growing very well. Such a tropical look and very low maintenance. I find they grow better in the sun than in the shade. They are noticeably slower in shady conditions. Ideal location would be in a mostly sunny location with wind protection. Their leaves are quite thick and leathery. They don’t tear up that easily all things considered. 

Appreciate the feedback. I may have to try one out

[miamicuse]

I am getting ready to plant one into the ground here in south Florida.  Looking for a spot that is wind protected and under the canopy.  A bit confused with it doing better with more sun than shade yet other references said deep shade.  One spot I am considering have indirect sun in the morning for a few hours.

[miamicuse]

OK just planted it under my Ficus benjamina and also being shaded by two

Livistona chinensis and BOP.  Still debating if that's too much shade.

[bubba]

Hydriastele longispatha is similar to H. beguinii and I only have a picture of H. longispatha:

 

[bubba]

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

[miamicuse]

On 11/27/2023 at 7:54 PM, Hurricanepalms said:

Hi @Beachpalms, they are growing very well. Such a tropical look and very low maintenance. I find they grow better in the sun than in the shade. They are noticeably slower in shady conditions. Ideal location would be in a mostly sunny location with wind protection. Their leaves are quite thick and leathery. They don’t tear up that easily all things considered. 

I just got a larger version...trying to decide whether to plant it in more sun or shade.  I have more sunny spots than shady spots.  I understand these need A LOT of water?

[Hurricanepalms]

Beautiful specimen! Once established, mine have all been surprisingly drought tolerant. I am in coastal central Florida and even during hot dry periods, mine have never shown drought stress. That being said, under those conditions, I try to water them well once a week, but they have gone a couple weeks without before. Compared to a real water lover like Calyptronoma Rivalis, they are a cactus. I am sure they would grow faster with additional irrigation though. 

[KrisKupsch]

Seen ten years of 39F and no damage here (far nensw AU) but they are in NE gully and very sheltered. I really need some more as they are a very nice Palm.