What palm is this?

Bgoins12 · Post by **Bgoins12** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 7:25 am

Ok, so I picked up a potted palm a few days ago at a local store because it looked very healthy. However, I am fairly certain that the tag on it is wrong. It says it's a Chinese Fan Palm, however upon looking online, it looks nothing like one, but more like a Needle palm in some aspects. I am most likely wrong as I am not a professional, so I will leave it up to you guys. Here is a few pictures of it to help with identification.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:00 am

Looks like my Chinese Fan Palm, only a heck of a lot healthier.

Welcome aboard!
Barb

Corrosion · Post by **Corrosion** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:00 am

Looks like a livistona chinensis to me but I´m no expert

I have Livistona rotundifolia which looks similar but with rounded bright green leaves. I wonder why they fill one pot with so many seedlings? I know, the looks but in a long perspective single plant is more useful imo. I´ve done the same with the washie seedlings-potted 4 into one pot. I cant bear throwing the smaller ones away.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:18 am

I agree,livistona chinensis -they usually pot them up like this(with so many)to make
them look fuller as they appear quite leggy,(when young) with their long petioles and what not

Bgoins12 · Post by **Bgoins12** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:26 am

Ahh, glad to see the tag was correct...

I guess the question is, Is this a cold hardy palm? Or should I just leave it in the house, and put some known cold hardy palms outside. I am located in Zone 6a, and see occasional temps obernight below 12-15*. It's rare but it does happen for a few hours overnight.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:43 am

Not very cold hardy,low 20s will severely damage this one.

Look at Francko's book on using it as a die back palm if you really want to plant out.

Bgoins12 · Post by **Bgoins12** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:47 am

Since I am a noob I will ask, what is a die back palm? I'm assuming that means it will die completely and comeback when it warms up?

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:52 pm

You can cover it with heavy mulch and it will come back in spring.
I think David Francko actually did that in Ohio!

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 7:33 pm

I read that part of Francko's book and was skeptical. Has anyone else really done that?
If it would work anywhere, it should work here as our soil doesn't freeze (much; this year was kind of an exception, thus the plumbing problems last month).

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:40 pm

I've never tried it; I have trouble keeping mine alive above freezing.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:51 pm

I think cutting it back,then covering it with a large styrofoam lid when it is dry in late fall,then-
covering (depending on your zone), with a foot or two of mulch would work fine.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:58 pm

I'll try it with a cheap Walmart specimen and report back in 15 months. Don't let me forget. I need to buy the victim in May.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:50 pm

Should work fine.
I think there are lot of other plants you could try this with-Cannas,obviously Basjoos.
I tried it with some Cannas but I didn't really put enough material over them,-18f last winter
didn't help either

ScottyON · Post by **ScottyON** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:57 pm

I left mine out side until Dec 8th. It saw temps at -5 c.. I was thinking about leaving in out and trying what Francko did.. Maybe next year>>

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 10:30 am

Scotty watty do da-where the hell you been?

ScottyON · Post by **ScottyON** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:29 pm

I've been here all a long.. Haven't posted much, guess not much to say lately.haha.. Can't wait till sping!! No snow here right now. We haven't had any accumulation since mid Jan.. How have you been Jim??