On 5/29/2026 at 4:37 PM, Chester B said:

My needle palms in Oregon were always fine, but here not so much. They've all been planted for over 2 years now so I hope this is the year they remain untouched. All 3 have recovered, including the one that spear pulled so there is that. I just have to think with more time in ground and added size they should stop this nonsense. One is a variegated needle, so that one is important to me as I have not seen one before. I purchased five needle palms and the one developed the variegation after planting. Pure luck.

@Chester B that’s interesting, aren’t you in the Houston area. I would have expected they would never be fazed there. I’m 8 hours north in Big Spring and mine spear pulled the first year but were completely unfazed this last winter after we saw a low of 5 F when that northern came through in late January. That was essentially the only winter we had was those 3-4 crappy days but it made up for it in below zone minimums and freezing rain.

On 6/1/2026 at 11:40 AM, KPoff said:

@Chester B that’s interesting, aren’t you in the Houston area. I would have expected they would never be fazed there. I’m 8 hours north in Big Spring and mine spear pulled the first year but were completely unfazed this last winter after we saw a low of 5 F when that northern came through in late January. That was essentially the only winter we had was those 3-4 crappy days but it made up for it in below zone minimums and freezing rain.

Yes I'm in Houston. I really think its the bipolar (no pun intended) weather. There is no cooling off period for the palms to slow down, they are actively growing and then wham! Below freezing temps and two days later its back in the 70s again. It's too much for a small palm. Aside from Sabals I'm finding any small palm here struggles in both summer and winter. I just lost another couple Trachys in the last 2 weeks. They need to be grown to a certain size before planting. At least that's what I think.

One of my Sabal uresana in October 2025 and then again June 2026, both pictures at dusk. Last winter it saw lows of 17°F two nights in a row with 26°F as the high in between and took no damage. West of Austin.

Some exciting news I’m moving to Florida this Fall - Port Orange to be exact it’s Z10A so I have the chance to grow some cool palms much easier than Texas weather permits 😅😅😅. I’ve been busy selling some palms and digging up a few I want to bring along. Seed grown Alexandre dwarf and tall form Radicalis Purpurea