East Coast Filifera

[ZPalms]

I've taken a interest in getting filifera but I truly want to know has anyone actually had real success with pure filifera on the east coast in the humidity and such? I've seen a few filiferas in photos that were taken down in florida I think but they always look beat up and I just want to see if people have success in wetter areas? or own one and what the experience with it is like?

[kinzyjr]

18 hours ago, ZPalms said:

I've taken a interest in getting filifera but I truly want to know has anyone actually had real success with pure filifera on the east coast in the humidity and such? I've seen a few filiferas in photos that were taken down in florida I think but they always look beat up and I just want to see if people have success in wetter areas? or own one and what the experience with it is like?

I have a desert garden with a bunch I started from seed collected in the Moapa Valley in NV.  They don't always look fantastic, but I don't expect them to look like they did in Las Vegas.  The most frustrating thing I hear about from Florida growers is having to buy so many seeds and/or smaller plants to get one to survive.

[Lou-StAugFL]

Galveston, Texas is a very hot and humid place similar to Florida and there are many in Galveston that are very old.  I suspect they would do fine here. 

[Lou-StAugFL]

Here are some photos of some very old washingtonia filifera.  The first is in Galveston the other is across the bay in Texas City in front of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School.  I am 66 years old and they have been in the ground since I was very little.  I always remember them being there.  There are quite a few filifera on the upper Texas coast.

https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/educ_programs/Cold-Hardy-Palms.pdf

[kinzyjr]

@Lou-StAugFL Is yours still doing alright?

[Lou-StAugFL]

Yes two survived of my four that I planted.  They are still in pots, I will probably wait until next spring to plant them in the ground at my farm near Hastings.

[Jeff zone 8 N.C.]

There was a tall huge trunked one in Atlantic Beach North Carolina for many years. It seeded all around and there were some teenage babies, from it, near by. It produced tons of seed. The very unusual 130+ hours below freezing (was it 2018?) finally killed them all. It looked good after most winters but did benefit from being near the back side of the island near Bogue Sound and about 4 or 5 blocks from the ocean. On the other hand it had to endure strong salty ocean winds, from the south and strong north winds in winter as it was growing well above any wind protection so was open to the elements in every direction. I still would recommend some protection of some sort in the coldest weather and siting it in a well protected spot.

[ZPalms]

5 hours ago, kinzyjr said:

I have a desert garden with a bunch I started from seed collected in the Moapa Valley in NV.  They don't always look fantastic, but I don't expect them to look like they did in Las Vegas.  The most frustrating thing I hear about from Florida growers is having to buy so many seeds and/or smaller plants to get one to survive.

 

4 hours ago, Lou-StAugFL said:

Yes two survived of my four that I planted.  They are still in pots, I will probably wait until next spring to plant them in the ground at my farm near Hastings.

 

1 hour ago, Jeff zone 8 N.C. said:

There was a tall huge trunked one in Atlantic Beach North Carolina for many years. It seeded all around and there were some teenage babies, from it, near by. It produced tons of seed. The very unusual 130+ hours below freezing (was it 2018?) finally killed them all. It looked good after most winters but did benefit from being near the back side of the island near Bogue Sound and about 4 or 5 blocks from the ocean. On the other hand it had to endure strong salty ocean winds, from the south and strong north winds in winter as it was growing well above any wind protection so was open to the elements in every direction. I still would recommend some protection of some sort in the coldest weather and siting it in a well protected spot.

I would love to see pictures of all your filiferas, I'm not too worried about them lookin pristine but if they hold leaves that are green I'm fine with that! 

5 hours ago, Lou-StAugFL said:

Here are some photos of some very old washingtonia filifera.  The first is in Galveston the other is across the bay in Texas City in front of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School.  I am 66 years old and they have been in the ground since I was very little.  I always remember them being there.  There are quite a few filifera on the upper Texas coast.

https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/educ_programs/Cold-Hardy-Palms.pdf

These look pretty good, Is the coast their humid?

[Collectorpalms]

The ones in Galveston were planted just after the 1900 Hurricane, and from what I can tell from pictures they already had 2-3ft of trunk. Same goes for the Canaries, but disease has taken out 95% of the Canaries, and now the Washingtonia are starting to die. Age doesn't matter, they can die at any age or size. So I am not sure where they were grown, obviously not locally, but I am guessing they were brought in by train. Nevertheless, a combination of rain leading to fungus really riddles their trunk to way past ugly, its not from the cold. The best bet for the east coast is still a Filibusta, with heavy Filifera genes. I have one that survived 4F that is over 25Ft tall, with no trunk damages whatsoever. It is not bothered by the humidity. Native Filifera seedlings just do not make it in the SE. You need to get one a minimum of 5 gallon. Hybrids 1gallons you may get a few to eek by, but they probably are the ones with the Robusta genes.

[ZPalms]

47 minutes ago, Collectorpalms said:

The ones in Galveston were planted just after the 1900 Hurricane, and from what I can tell from pictures they already had 2-3ft of trunk. Same goes for the Canaries, but disease has taken out 95% of the Canaries, and now the Washingtonia are starting to die. Age doesn't matter, they can die at any age or size. So I am not sure where they were grown, obviously not locally, but I am guessing they were brought in by train. Nevertheless, a combination of rain leading to fungus really riddles their trunk to way past ugly, its not from the cold. The best bet for the east coast is still a Filibusta, with heavy Filifera genes. I have one that survived 4F that is over 25Ft tall, with no trunk damages whatsoever. It is not bothered by the humidity. Native Filifera seedlings just do not make it in the SE. You need to get one a minimum of 5 gallon. Hybrids 1gallons you may get a few to eek by, but they probably are the ones with the Robusta genes.

I do have some filibustas that show purple so they seem to lean more robusta, I do have palm in my town that looks to lean more filifera so once I give those a sprout I guess I'll be able to find out, I wish really wish I could get pure filifera but I suppose filibusta on heavy robusta fine would be fine. So trunk rot is an issue for filiferas on the SE?

[Collectorpalms]

Somewhere in old Charleston, SC I have seen Washingtonia Filifera. Try finding those.

[ZPalms]

2 hours ago, Collectorpalms said:

Somewhere in old Charleston, SC I have seen Washingtonia Filifera. Try finding those.

I saw some people on here talking about the one that used to be at the McDonald's in downtown Charleston but has since died or they suck and cut it down, I do think it looked amazing, so I wonder why they cut it down.

In the 2019 photo shows that they pruned it and I hate it when they prune them when they don't need it and that's one of the cool things about filiferas is the skirt, which I feel adds to the look and without it makes the palm look disproportionate, at least to me personally 

 

[ZPalms]

Also this one I saw somebody link on here

Edited August 19, 2022 by ZPalms

[kinzyjr]

@ZPalms Here a few of my babies I grew from seed:

[ruskinPalms]

I planted a hybrid at my parents house in Venice Florida about 15 years ago. It has everything you’d want from a Washingtonia: fast growth, robust trunk, skirt (but when big blows come through, it self cleans…). That being said, I like the the look of pure robusta better. I like the skinny trunks. I know it is a cold hardy game in this thread but I’d say on the east coast, you’d want a hybrid. The pure  filefera seems like a hassle given that they are only more cold hardy in dry conditions, which is not how the southeast US rolls. 

[ZPalms]

1 hour ago, kinzyjr said:

@ZPalms Here a few of my babies I grew from seed:

This looks nice, the one filifera I had could not even hold 1 leaf in the humidty here so this is great! 

Does it get a lot of spotting? I noticed that when I had one

4 minutes ago, ruskinPalms said:

I planted a hybrid at my parents house in Venice Florida about 15 years ago. It has everything you’d want from a Washingtonia: fast growth, robust trunk, skirt (but when big blows come through, it self cleans…). That being said, I like the the look of pure robusta better. I like the skinny trunks. I know it is a cold hardy game in this thread but I’d say on the east coast, you’d want a hybrid. The pure  filefera seems like a hassle given that they are only more cold hardy in dry conditions, which is not how the southeast US rolls. 

I have a couple filibustas and so far they have been amazing, filibustas are by far my favorite washie because I can grow them here but if it was possible I'd grow pure robusta and filifera because I love how similar but different they are visually

[kinzyjr]

7 minutes ago, ZPalms said:

This looks nice, the one filifera I had could not even hold 1 leaf in the humidty here so this is great! 

Does it get a lot of spotting? I noticed that when I had one

The issue I have is that once in a while it will get too wet or, believe it or not, too dry.  In this case I usually get some browning on the leaflets while it regrows the damaged portion of its root systems.  All of these are from the Moapa Valley population in NV.  @RyManUtah helps me out with some seeds if I need a few.

14 minutes ago, ruskinPalms said:

planted a hybrid at my parents house in Venice Florida about 15 years ago. It has everything you’d want from a Washingtonia: fast growth, robust trunk, skirt (but when big blows come through, it self cleans…). That being said, I like the the look of pure robusta better. I like the skinny trunks. I know it is a cold hardy game in this thread but I’d say on the east coast, you’d want a hybrid. The pure  filefera seems like a hassle given that they are only more cold hardy in dry conditions, which is not how the southeast US rolls. 

The hybrids do look good.  From seed, you never know what you'll get, but sometimes it is a pleasant surprise.

Here is one that got the trunk of a filifera and the leaf pattern of a robusta with a trim job this June (not mine unfortunately) :

[ruskinPalms]

I’ll take some updated pics of the hybrid at my parent’s house tomorrow. It is a beast 

[ZPalms]

22 minutes ago, kinzyjr said:

The issue I have is that once in a while it will get too wet or, believe it or not, too dry.  In this case I usually get some browning on the leaflets while it regrows the damaged portion of its root systems.  All of these are from the Moapa Valley population in NV.  @RyManUtah helps me out with some seeds if I need a few.

The hybrids do look good.  From seed, you never know what you'll get, but sometimes it is a pleasant surprise.

Here is one that got the trunk of a filifera and the leaf pattern of a robusta with a trim job this June (not mine unfortunately) :

I'm currently looking for a greenhouse, Would greenhouse grown filifera have a better chance?

That is one nice tree, reminds me of chamerops with how stiff the leaves are  I'd like to buy some filifera seeds and give it a try

[kinzyjr]

10 minutes ago, ZPalms said:

I'm currently looking for a greenhouse, Would greenhouse grown filifera have a better chance?

That is one nice tree, reminds me of chamerops with how stiff the leaves are  I'd like to buy some filifera seeds and give it a try

They appreciate not having overhead water, so a greenhouse tends to help.  If you're on municipal water, you'll want to have it tested for pH and boil the chlorine out of it at a minimum.  Your best best is to collect rainwater and only water it with that.  My municipal water is hard enough to kill them.  Another consideration you may want to try is growing them in bonsai mix:

Superfly Bonsai Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix

[ZPalms]

5 minutes ago, kinzyjr said:

They appreciate not having overhead water, so a greenhouse tends to help.  If you're on municipal water, you'll want to have it tested for pH and boil the chlorine out of it at a minimum.  Your best best is to collect rainwater and only water it with that.  My municipal water is hard enough to kill them.  Another consideration you may want to try is growing them in bonsai mix:

Superfly Bonsai Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix

I have filtered well water with salt filteration so that shouldn't be a problem? Do I grow it directly in the bonsai mix with nothing else?

[Foxpalms]

Humidity at night doesn't bother them here and the nights this year have been warm but the humidity is much lower during the day it's more of a dry heat. But in the winter it can be humid at night and during the day so it makes me wonder if filifera doesn't like heat and humidity not just humidity. Rain is pretty low here at least in comparison to the east coast of America, but I can say for sure the humidity in winter doesn't bother filifera at all here.

Edited August 20, 2022 by Foxpalms

[kinzyjr]

19 minutes ago, ZPalms said:

I have filtered well water with salt filteration so that shouldn't be a problem? Do I grow it directly in the bonsai mix with nothing else?

You can do pure bonsai and then add some dilute fertilizer to ensure it has enough nutrients to promote growth.  I've successfully grown them in regular potting medium if you can believe that.  For me, getting them to a few small leaves is it.  Then, out to the yard they go to determine their strength.  In regard to the water, try it on a few.  If they start going into decline, go with rain only.

I agree with @Foxpalms about the heat and humidity combo.  I've noticed if I give the seedlings a break from the direct sun by using a nurse plant, they tend to grow better.  One advantage @ZPalms has is a longer cool season and cooler nights overall.

[ZPalms]

26 minutes ago, kinzyjr said:

You can do pure bonsai and then add some dilute fertilizer to ensure it has enough nutrients to promote growth.  I've successfully grown them in regular potting medium if you can believe that.  For me, getting them to a few small leaves is it.  Then, out to the yard they go to determine their strength.  In regard to the water, try it on a few.  If they start going into decline, go with rain only.

I agree with @Foxpalms about the heat and humidity combo.  I've noticed if I give the seedlings a break from the direct sun by using a nurse plant, they tend to grow better.  One advantage @ZPalms has is a longer cool season and cooler nights overall.

I'll just have to get my hands on some seeds to experiment! I feel pretty confident with my effort I think given my circumstance 

The temperature has shifted so quick from the 90s daily to now we get 80s in the day and 70s during the night and that will probably maintain for the next 2 months more or less 

[Collectorpalms]

Here ya go, some Texas Washingtonia Filifera from today…. Loaded with seeds. These have been through the worst. 
Ya. I got seeds. 

[Collectorpalms]

Shoe for scale. Central Texas zone 8. 

[ZPalms]

7 minutes ago, Collectorpalms said:

Here ya go, some Texas Washingtonia Filifera from today…. Loaded with seeds. These have been through the worst. 
Ya. I got seeds. 

 

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, Collectorpalms said:

Shoe for scale. Central Texas zone 8. 

 

Oh wow! Is this pure filifera?

[Collectorpalms]

5 minutes ago, ZPalms said:

 

Oh wow! Is this pure filifera?

While I didnt plant them, There are some that went through -2F. They are just not likely to be hybrids.

 

6 minutes ago, ZPalms said:

 

Oh wow! Is this pure filifera?

 

[ZPalms]

18 minutes ago, Collectorpalms said:

While I didnt plant them, There are some that went through -2F. They are just not likely to be hybrids.

 

 

If it's not a hybrid I'd love to have some seeds if I could get any

[Collectorpalms]

Just now, ZPalms said:

If it's not a hybrid I'd love to have some seeds if I could get any

I will have plenty. They normally dont ripen until October., but since its been record hot, some are falling a little early. I will collect a bunch in 30-60 days. Just let me know what you want. 

[ZPalms]

4 minutes ago, Collectorpalms said:

I will have plenty. They normally dont ripen until October., but since its been record hot, some are falling a little early. I will collect a bunch in 30-60 days. Just let me know what you want. 

I'll take whatever amount you think is good, I can pay for shipping or whatever if needed 

Appreciate it!

Is october usally the time washies drop seeds?

Edited August 20, 2022 by ZPalms

[Collectorpalms]

Yea,  by Halloween they are usually covering the ground. contact me in October! They also are viable a long time so you can start them in the spring.

[ZPalms]

2 hours ago, Collectorpalms said:

Yea,  by Halloween they are usually covering the ground. contact me in October! They also are viable a long time so you can start them in the spring.

I'll keep that in mind because I wanna bring a long saw to the filibusta here and collect a fresh batch without palm seed weevils 

[Palmfarmer]

I guess preping and getting one from a similar climate or seeds from one in a similar one. Plant it really high and amend the soil in a big area around it for maximum drainage. Does not hurt if it got a hint of robusta in it either. 

[ruskinPalms]

Here are some updated pics of my parents’ hybrid, well I’m guessing it is a hybrid anyway. The base of the trunk is massive, hard to really tell in these pics. 

[EJPalm05]

18 hours ago, ruskinPalms said:

Here are some updated pics of my parents’ hybrid, well I’m guessing it is a hybrid anyway. The base of the trunk is massive, hard to really tell in these pics. 

That kind of looks like a Livistona Decora but I might be wrong!

[kinzyjr]

1 hour ago, EJ NJ said:

That kind of looks like a Livistona Decora but I might be wrong!

It's definitely a Washy.  If it's hybridized, it is very robusta-dominant.