Just looked on the frost/freeze data base and there is not too much info about this one. Anyone have any experience with this actually getting frosted or having it planted out when the temps went below freezing? Frost is always a greater concern than freeze where I live. It is tough to find nice tropical looking palms that can take frost on their fronds. Any info about this one is appreciated. Thanks.

I'm thinking you may not get much response on this topic...  It is so new to cultivation.  I'm sure there are some seedlings that have had some research...  But you've already read about those I'm sure...  I would think they would probably do better than expected...  My seedligns just kept on growing right through last winter, and really didn't seem to slow down much at all leading me to think they might have some degree of cold tolerence...  I'm not aware of any large ones north of my location.  Interesting query...  Hope to hear some seasoned vets tell us stories.

I got one 5 gal plant in early Spring 2006. It grew very nicely outside through late November. Obviously, it then went to sleep. I'm in a bit of a canyon, and although I'm still a bit fuzzy still on what constitutes a "frost", there were several nights where there was frost on my vehicle. Other than not growing much, it showed no real damage. Starting aroung early Jan., it got so rediculously cold that it stayed indoors during the sub freezing temps. As soon as nightime temps did not drop below freezing, out it went again. It's still in the pot, although the pot's in the ground. My goal is to get it to a robust 15 gal size before I try and put it in the ground for good. As I found out during the freeze with a lot of small palms, size does matter....

Bret

My theory is that it's as frost tender as Veitchia joannis or Hyophorbe lagenicaulis. But it is just a theory that I've never tried to answer yet. Both will grow in my climate with some surrounding growth, so I'll try C macrospermum to see if it performs the same. I personally think it's quite cool tolerant but not tolerant to any frost.

regards

Tyrone

Hi,

Last autumn I make an experiment to see the resistance of some palms. I located few supposed sensitive palms in a place where cold and strong wind are more prominent. Here temperatures never drop below to 10ºC. In a group of Butia, Sabal, Livistona, Trachycarpus and Rhopalostylis I´ve added Clinostigma samoense, Clinostigma ponapense, Carpoxylon macrospermum, Verschaffeltia splendida and Phoenicophorium borsigianum. At the beginning of march the result was: Phoenicophorium was almost dead but it´s recovering now. Verschaffeltia was less damaged but one of them was broken by the strong winds. Clinostigmas and Carpoxylon were not damaged, just few leaves were burned but imagine it was reasonable because the high level of salt spray! I live in the seaside.

I think if you are not sure, just choose another palm like Howea fosteriana, which is nicer and stronger. In fact, for me, Carporxylon is just a imaginative bad cross between Roystonea oleracea and Howea fosteriana. I've received my Carpoxylons as a present because I never was interested in this specie. Why don't you try Satakentia?

Well, if Carpoxylon is the palm of your life, then the best experience is your experience ( I'm not sure if it sounds very well in english, but I'm thinking in my spanish )

Good luck!

Regards,

Carlos

I put one in the ground last summer, 3' overall height. This winter, it was exposed to 35 degrees at night for a week, one night dropping to 33 degrees. That week almost killed my spindle and bottle palms, but did virtually nothing to the Carpoxylon. It put out one slightly stunted leaf thereafter, but has been growing like a weed since then. It is now about 6' overall.

(Tyrone @ Sep. 14 2007,07:20)

QUOTE

My theory is that it's as frost tender as Veitchia joannis or Hyophorbe lagenicaulis. But it is just a theory that I've never tried to answer yet. Both will grow in my climate with some surrounding growth, so I'll try C macrospermum to see if it performs the same. I personally think it's quite cool tolerant but not tolerant to any frost.

regards

Tyrone

Since Perth's climate is somewhat similar to mine here in San Diego, this might be worth a try for those in the coastal areas of Southen California. Hmmm....

(oliver @ Sep. 14 2007,08:15)

QUOTE

I put one in the ground last summer, 3' overall height. This winter, it was exposed to 35 degrees at night for a week, one night dropping to 33 degrees. That week almost killed my spindle and bottle palms, but did virtually nothing to the Carpoxylon. It put out one slightly stunted leaf thereafter, but has been growing like a weed since then. It is now about 6' overall.

Thanks for that info Oliver!  That's great news!  Can you show us a pic?  I'm excited about this.  A week @ 35F is nasty stuff.  And also, if you care to, can you please explain or picture the type of exposure it's in (full sun, shade, canopy, etc...)

(oliver @ Sep. 14 2007,11:15)

QUOTE

I put one in the ground last summer, 3' overall height. This winter, it was exposed to 35 degrees at night for a week, one night dropping to 33 degrees. That week almost killed my spindle and bottle palms, but did virtually nothing to the Carpoxylon. It put out one slightly stunted leaf thereafter, but has been growing like a weed since then. It is now about 6' overall.

That's good to hear that it's even more cold tolerant than the spindle and bottle palms. If that is true and it grows as fast as you are saying then mine will take to the ground like a pig in mud. Yeaaahhhhh. In the ground you go Carpoxy.

Tyrone

Thanks for all the replies. I am glad to hear that they can take a little extended cool weather. It is not uncommon to spend  a few nights in a row in the mid 30's with highs only into the upper 50's to low 60's around here in central FL contrary to popular belief. As far as the major arctic outbreaks that can hit FL, well, they can kill queen palms outright so most of us in central and south FL get to almost start from scratch about every 10 to 15 years anyway. My point is if this palm is as tough as bottles, spindles and foxtails then I will probably get to enjoy it 10 to 15 years at a time which sounds pretty good to me. I think I will try to get some seeds. They are about $65 for 10 on RPS right now. Is that too much?

check with christian faulkner (cfkingfish)...  I think he's giving his away at $3 per seed right now....   :cool:

I got 50 from Christian and it was 202.00 which I thought was good....I had bought the ones from RPS in March, 30 of them and not a one germinated..... the seeds from christian looked a lot better, I soaked for 5-7 days and they are sowed now......Hope I get some to pop this time