King palms in Houston???

[Robert Cade Ross]

Has anyone ever tried growing Archontophoenix alexandrae 'Beatriceaewith successfully here ? 

Edited July 14, 2022 by Cade
Typo

[James B]

I do not live in TX but if you mean did any Archontophoenix survive the polar vortex that happened last year at think the answer is no based on more cold hardy palms being wiped out. 

Texans can weigh in on the details but if you are down for enjoying them in between arctic events then go for it.l, you may get 10 years of enjoyment. 

I do my share of zone pushing here as well.

I say go for it but you are better off with Maxima or Cunninghamiana as they both seem to have a couple degrees more cold tolerance. 

[Xenon]

Archontophoenix cunninghamia grows well in the Houston heat island and near the bay/coast for however long until the next low 20s freeze. There was a big A. alexandrae at a church in Galveston back in the 2000s. 

24 minutes ago, James B said:

I do not live in TX but if you mean did any Archontophoenix survive the polar vortex that happened last year at think the answer is no based on more cold hardy palms being wiped out. 

As far as Texas in general, there are some surviving Archontophoenix in far southern Texas (along with royals and foxtails). 

[James B]

28 minutes ago, Xenon said:

Archontophoenix cunninghamia grows well in the Houston heat island and near the bay/coast for however long until the next low 20s freeze. There was a big A. alexandrae at a church in Galveston back in the 2000s. 

As far as Texas in general, there are some surviving Archontophoenix in far southern Texas (along with royals and foxtails). 

Glad to hear some made it through the tundra blast. Will be worth getting seed from them.

[Xenon]

1 hour ago, James B said:

Glad to hear some made it through the tundra blast. Will be worth getting seed from them.

Doubt they are anything special...Texas is a big place; Houston is at 29.7*N and Brownsville is at 25.9*N latitude. Only things wiped out at the southern tip are coconuts and Adonidia. 

[Tropicdoc]

12 hours ago, Xenon said:

Archontophoenix cunninghamia grows well in the Houston heat island and near the bay/coast for however long until the next low 20s freeze. There was a big A. alexandrae at a church in Galveston back in the 2000s. 

As far as Texas in general, there are some surviving Archontophoenix in far southern Texas (along with royals and foxtails). 

Used to admire that palm when I lived there. I’d imagine under canopy a king palm would be a 15 year palm on Galveston. Maybe a 10 year in Houston heat island (under canopy) I have a 4 year old king under canopy where I am. But 2 others froze a couple of years back

[Xenon]

26 minutes ago, Tropicdoc said:

Used to admire that palm when I lived there. I’d imagine under canopy a king palm would be a 15 year palm on Galveston. Maybe a 10 year in Houston heat island (under canopy) I have a 4 year old king under canopy where I am. But 2 others froze a couple of years back

Could've planted some heat island kings in 1997 and some would've made it to 2017 (based on survival of foxtails). 

Big king palm in Galveston was looking great out in the open right up until the 2021 freeze.

Just gotta cross your fingers for a warm streak 

[Collectorpalms]

3 hours ago, Xenon said:

Could've planted some heat island kings in 1997 and some would've made it to 2017 (based on survival of foxtails). 

Big king palm in Galveston was looking great out in the open right up until the 2021 freeze.

Just gotta cross your fingers for a warm streak 

We have another 20 years to another big one, but be prepared for a couple minor events that are fully protect worthy.