Hello from Virginia

[Chris-]

Hello,

I just joined and am making the perfunctory "Introduction" post. I've always loved palm trees since I was tiny traveling to South Carolian on vacation every year. I always wished to grow them but figured it was impossible. Over the years, however, I've discovered that it is not impossible, only 'difficult'. Unfortunately, good information is not always easy to find and I was very happy to find thsi forum. I live in USDA Zone 7A and currently am attempting to overwinter two cycas revolutas (one has overwintered twice previously but lost its leaves both times) and a three-year old Sabal palmetto (also overwintered previously...with significant damage).

I look forward to learning from you all and to share the [hopefully succesful] results!

Regards,
Chris.

[TerdalFarm]

Chris,
welcome. I'm new here, too. The members have been very helpful. It sometimes felt like they were "holding my hand" for the first cold storm here.
Best wishes for the current blizzard. Share some photos when you get the chance.
--Erik

[lucky1]

Hi Chris,

Welcome aboard...we all go ga-ga over photos; post some pics please.
Do you have palms indoors too?

Barb

[Mark]

Welcome Chris!

Mark

[oppalm]

welcome chris. keep reading and learning here. In zone 7A you will learn you have several options for growing cold hardy palms outdoor with protection. Pictures are good, very good. post away.

[lucky1]

chris,
you can also turn on the email prompt (when there's a reply to your post).
You'll find that in your Profile, just click on YES to be notified.

Barb

[BILL MA]

Welcome aboard Chris, you have so many possibilities living in Virginia, I can't wait to see your spring projects.

Bill

[Chris-]

Hi Chris,

Welcome aboard...we all go ga-ga over photos; post some pics please.
Do you have palms indoors too?

Barb

Hello,

I must be the last person living in the western world who does not have a digital camera (with the exception of an old Apple QuickTake 200 circa 1994 that won't work on my modern PC). It appears I am going to have to pick one up soon or you all will come at me with pitchforks. I actually have an old disposable camera that I used for Christmas and I will try to take some pictures with that and put them on a CD & then upload them.

I do not have any palm trees inside. I do however have several immature cycas revolutas. They were outside in the pots I purchased them in and I repotted them indoors (only to read later that cycads don't prefer being repotted very frequently). Nevertheless, they seem to have come through OK.

welcome chris. keep reading and learning here. In zone 7A you will learn you have several options for growing cold hardy palms outdoor with protection. Pictures are good, very good. post away.

Welcome aboard Chris, you have so many possibilities living in Virginia, I can't wait to see your spring projects.

Bill

I suppose in comparison to MA winters, I should stop complaining! Incidentally, are you near the coast Bill? And if so how much does the ocean moderate the winter climate there?

I plan on getting another, taller sabal and a 4 ft or so Trachy when things begin to warm up. Hopefully in March. The sooner the better to get in the most warm-season growing time. I toy with the idea of getting another butia capita and trying that again but I already managed to kill one with ease last January and from what I've read they are at best marginal even down in the Norfolk area. (Of course I have learned more in pabout protecting them since then so who knows?) I have also always wanted a citrus plant and I read that the Satsuma mandarin orange is hardy to 20F~ish. I know nothing of citrus cultivation however so that will have to wait. I went ahead and dug the hole for one of the palms already last fall so I'm already on my way. Hopefully by then I will have pictures for you all!

[Cameron_z6a_N.S.]

Hey Chris I've recently started researching citrus, and there are several "hardy" varieties:

- Citrus reticulata "Changsha" (changsha mandarin)
- Citrus sulcata (sanbokan grapefruit)
- Cirtus taiwanica (nanshodaidai)
- Citrus ichangensis (ichang papeda)
- Poncirus trifoliata (trifoliate orange)
- Poncirus tirfoliata x Citrus sinensis "Rusk" ("rusk" citrange)
etc

However, I've only started learning about citrus too. There is another forum member called "Laaz" who is a citrus expert

[BILL MA]

Hey Chris,
I live 10 miles North of Providence RI right off I95, the first MA exit actually. It can be tough weather wise at times but it could
be much worse. 2004 was the worst winter since I've been here coming in at -3f all the others have been in the low single digits.
I moved in in 2004 so before that I don't know. I doesn't hold me back in the least though, I'm not sure if you've seen any of my
pictures. We've had two days in the single digits so far this year, 5.5f and 8.8f.

I hope your winter stays nice and mild!

Bill

[lucky1]

Chris,
You are the last in the world to get a digital camera.
Prices should be pretty good during January sales.

do not have any palm trees inside

Forum members, we have our work cut out for us!

My C.revolutas overwinter indoors; there's really no other option at 50N lat.

Barb

[sidpook]

Hello,

I just joined and am making the perfunctory "Introduction" post. I've always loved palm trees since I was tiny traveling to South Carolian on vacation every year. I always wished to grow them but figured it was impossible. Over the years, however, I've discovered that it is not impossible, only 'difficult'. Unfortunately, good information is not always easy to find and I was very happy to find thsi forum. I live in USDA Zone 7A and currently am attempting to overwinter two cycas revolutas (one has overwintered twice previously but lost its leaves both times) and a three-year old Sabal palmetto (also overwintered previously...with significant damage).

I look forward to learning from you all and to share the [hopefully succesful] results!

Regards,
Chris.

welcome. Hope to see some pics soon. Mike