Washingtonia Robusta

Rubtherock · Post by **Rubtherock** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:58 pm

I'm headed back to Myrtle Beach Home Depot tomorrow where while vacationing I found large 12 ft Washingtonias with rootballs weighing around 400 pounds. These are promos and only $95. I couldn't pass it up. It is palm tree heaven at this Home Depot, much unlike the stores in my area. (Charlotte NC).

I'm bringing them back to zone 7. With great protection, what are my odds of getting this tree through the winter?

Jova · Post by **Jova** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:49 am

I'm not an expert by any means, but I have heard success stories with Washys into zone 6, as long as the winter protection is done correctly. I've been looking for one myself, but all I seem to find at the Home Depot's and similar stores in my area are majesty palms and other species that would most likely just be a waste of time and money. Best of luck!

mnpalms · Post by **mnpalms** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 5:25 am

Washys can even make it in zone 5 with proper protection, believe it or not! There is a guy in Iowa who is well known for his. They are quite large also. I read about it on Garden Web forums quite a while ago. He is the one who got me thinking about trying it here in MN, not too far north of him. Then, after seeing what Arctictropical does in Utah, I was sold. I don't do washys, just trachys, needle palms, and musa basjoos here (in ground) though. I think his name is Iowapalms or something like that, over there. Worth looking into...

Rubtherock · Post by **Rubtherock** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 6:48 am

Thanks. Very encouraging!!!!

Post pics later. Here they are at the store and trust me when I say that they are much bigger than they look.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a252/ ... depot2.jpg

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:38 am

You might even get away with no protection where you are. As long as you stay close to your average lows. I looked and your ave. lows and they are about 32deg f. for january, not bad. But your record low are very cold

. They might get leaf burn in the winter but should grow back in the warmer months. It would be worth a try.

PS. I think a trachy would do very well in your area with out much leaf burn if you ever get a chance to try one of them.

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:40 am

That is a good buy on robustas that large, awesome.

mnpalms · Post by **mnpalms** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 4:48 am

I agree, what a deal! I'd buy it... What I would do is watch the forecasts carefully. You can easily wrap it like that Iowa guy does/did if it looks like it will stay below 20F for a long period. You could even plan to wrap it for January and Feb just to be safe. You should research how that guy in Iowa did it, he said it is easy and pretty fast. Burlap on trunk, tie up the fronds and wrap with plastic with a small opening on top so it can beathe a little bit. All done from a tall step ladder. This works well for zones where subzero temps are not likely. Nice thing about that species, once established they grow fast compared to a trachy. If you get any defoliation from winter, it should recover pretty fast. You won't be looking at an ugly tree all the next summer.

I also agree, trachys would be perfect for your area. No protection needed. Too bad they are slower growers, and relatively expensive to get in larger sizes. I have a 7-footer in ground here in MN. I got a great deal on it, but still have about $250 into it. Unfortunately I have to be a little more careful with my winter protection here in MN....

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:43 am

There's a guy in Littlerock, Arkansas who has been growing one for many years. I'm not sure but he might be warmer there, but not by much. He cuts off all the leaves in Dec. and puts just a tarp over it. I think he uses flood lights if it gets cold. The leaves start growing back very rapidly in early March. He's the one who inspired me to plant mine. I'm sure he would be glad to answer your questions. He has some beautiful things growing at his place and great knowledge on palms and other tropicals. This is his forum. http://members6.boardhost.com/midsouthpalms/ If you look back you can find some month by month/year by year pictures about his robusta.

Bill

Rubtherock · Post by **Rubtherock** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:55 am

Thanks. I already have three trachys, and three pindos I planted in the ground last year that are doing great. I lost some fronds on the pindos due to no protection at all but the still look good. This year I've added three queen palms, two of them are ten feet, one is fifteen feet tall. Not sure what to do with those this winter. I might build a structure around them with a light bulb inside with a thermostat that will turn the lightbulbs on at 30 degrees and below. Otherwise, I might lose them because I don't think it's practical to dig them up and bring them in. I already have a bizzy and a pigmy date palm (multiple trunk 4 feet tall I bought on sale at home depot yesterday for $20) that has to be brought in along with the tropical banana trees. I'll post pics of all my palms later this afternoon. Oh, and I just added a very nice European fan palm and a needle palm. So now I have 11 total and four different species around the pool. It is my understanding that the European and the needle palm are cold hardy enough to not require protection.

I picked up the two Big Washingtonia Robustas yesterday, along with the Pigmy Date plam, and two little washys they had for $16 each. Below is the picture. I will update later. Thanks for all the help. I needed it!!!

Okanagan desert-palms · Mon Jul 13, 2009 6:53 pm

That is one hell of a deal you got there. Being that size should give them a lot more cold hardiness this winter.

John

wxman · Post by **wxman** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 6:46 am

Washy in zone 5. Planted June 2008. Winter low was -15F.

Rubtherock · Post by **Rubtherock** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:06 am

Wow. Amazing. Someone telling me about these types of success stories convinced me to plant these here in zone 7.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:45 am

Very cool! definitely a fun palm to grow with it's rapid growth rate.Judging by the trunks on those they look more like W.filifera or filibusta(even more cold hardy!) to me.You can find the post's for Iowapalms on Garden web by looking in the Iowa gardening forum or by doing a search for Iowapalms on GW. I would keep moisture out of the crowns during winter when it may freeze,also really work the soil where your going to plant them so the roots can spread out fast,it's a little bit of a catch 22 in regaurd to helping palms(Washys) root in and get established and also not overwatering the first few years.Those palms should have a lot of fire power with the trunks they have on them! I would love to be able to plant one that size in my yard! NICE!

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Washingtonia Robusta

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