W. robusta

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat May 13, 2006 7:26 am

Lowes had these on sale for less than $20, (With that price I can experiment with one outside)

These were marked as robusta, is there an easy way to verify this as compared to hybrids,etc?
Petiole bases are green which would = filifera? Then again , this one may have to mature a bit before a positive ID.

Okanagan desert-palms · Sat May 13, 2006 9:29 pm

Looks like a W. robusta to me. I don`t see the tell tale signs of the cotton threads from the palm leafs for W. filifera . What type of cactus are you growing under it?
John

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat May 13, 2006 10:01 pm

Thanks for your answer!

The cactus is an unamed & spineless opuntia I picked up locally, I think it's the "nopal" variant?
It grows fast in the summer, Just stuck those pads in 2 days ago and by the end of the summer they should be 1-2' tall & branching. Hardiness seems to be to about 15F if fully exposed.
(I have some extra pads if you want to try some)

Post by **Jay-Admin** » Sat May 13, 2006 11:51 pm

Nice Washy.

Should be a nice size by end of summer.

Regards,
Jay

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Sun May 14, 2006 6:38 pm

Hey buddy, can I get the location of the "Lowe's" you got it at???? I will go to Salina and get one.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun May 14, 2006 7:08 pm

Lowes Salina at 3035 So. 9th,
( From 70 )
South on 135,
Exit at Schilling Rd,
Take a Left, about 2 blocks on your right.

They had a about a dozen of these left earlier this week at $18.97, I think there is still one Triangle left on the tropical foliage shelf inside too.

Good Luck, hope you snag one !

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Sun May 14, 2006 7:14 pm

AWSOME!!! I might see if I can't shoot down tomorrow. I just got back today from Sharon Springs today. Over 300 mile trip so I am TIRED!!! But I might try it anyways.

Okanagan desert-palms · Sun May 14, 2006 9:57 pm

Knnn I have some cactus already. My wife has put the brakes on my obsession. No more plants until next year good thing because I would grow us out of house and home LOL. Thanks for the offer. Again I`m guessing from looking at your Washy that it is W.robusta as nurseries grow these over W. filifera for faster speed of growth.
John

desertdave · Post by **desertdave** » Wed May 17, 2006 2:08 pm

W. robusta fronds are also generally more rigid than W. filifera fronds; filifera fronds are usu. quite flexible. That puppy is a robusta, probably a pure breed one. My robustas' petioles are largely green as well so that is probably not the best indicator. Plus mine get cotton threads, so that does not necessarily mean filifera either. Red petioles and no fibers probably = robusta.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Wed May 17, 2006 7:38 pm

The bases of the petioles are starting to take on a reddish hue now with some sun & warmth. I would say everyone's thought of Robusta would be correct. And Thanks for your Help!

Seems to be starting to push it's new spear, These must be tough palms if the tranplant didn't bother it.

Also this is my first experience with Washingtonias, I have some filifera germinating but it is going to be awhile before I can do a comparision

Okanagan desert-palms · Wed May 17, 2006 8:21 pm

W. filifera will put out more cotton threads than W.robusta is what I meant in my previous post.
John

banana joe · Post by **banana joe** » Sat May 20, 2006 8:40 am

Definately looks like Robusta to me. I saw a bunch of crated ones at Costco last week. They were asking $240 for them. I thought that was a bit pricey for Robusta since they are hardy here. I have a a good size one in the ground for a couple of years now and it's oing well. However over the past 20 years I've lost dozens of them to Old Man Winter. Make sure to wrap it good when the cold comes. I see a Cycas revoluta stump to the left of your palm. Was it out through last Winter. That palm will grow fast in your Summer heat. Cheers, Joe

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:14 am

The cycas went in around mid -March, It started with a nice 5 leave spread.
Went through a couple freezes but seemed to be recovering with only 1 burnt frond.
After a couple hail storms with 1" hail, Well...it was a sad sight. Seems to be pushing at least 1 new frond now.

The CIDP seedling on the right was shredded by the local wild cat population, So it is back in a pot recovering, put some Coontie's in it's place and bought a big roll of chicken wire.

Last year it was a flock of wild turkeys..................

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:24 am

After 3-4 weeks of warm temps starting to take off....

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:45 am

Looking good

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 1:01 am

Just a picture to show growth this season,
Hopefully I will be able to start a new thread this Spring about how well it did thru the Winter

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:49 am

Here's a Washingtonia robusta I planted this summer. Very few make it beyond a few years here without some sort of protection. I'll have a canopy over it through the winter months.

Cheers, Barrie.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:01 pm

It looks happy where it's at

Hope all goes well this Winter for it.
Besides the shelter do you use any supplemental heat?

(This weekend's project is to build a shelter around mine. Not sure whether I should count on a small space heater or X-mas lights, or maybe both)

~ Steve

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:34 pm

Knnn (Steve) ... I don't plan on any supplimental heat, since in most years, it's within temperature range. I could, if push came to shove. I'd rather not.

Cheers, Barrie.

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:43 pm

Nice palm

I hope it lives many years for you

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 5:26 pm

Finished up the Winter home for this one,

Our first freeze is usually in the middle of October. Today was sunny and 97F......No complaints tho

Framing,

Back,

Front,

~ Steve

Okanagan desert-palms · Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:03 pm

Steve that looks great.I was wondering what you will be using besides the large rocks to warm it during the winter? I would be very interested to see how well everything does.
John

Wes North Van · Post by **Wes North Van** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 7:58 pm

That enclosure is amazing. What are the sides made of? Is it foam insulation?
I hope to plant out some of my robustas next year. My temps are OK for them but it is the rain.
Barrie,
What do you use for a winter cover? Do you have a pic of it. I would be cuious to see it.
How's the plant business going? I was with Dan fishing last weekend and he told me the muni was hassling you. Why don't they go after all home businesses then. What a joke.
Have you got any good sized sabal minors or r. hystix?

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:41 pm

Most of this is just recycled materials, Have some great neighbors who have been sending
over old windows, framing and plywood from their remodeling jobs. Stricly low budget, but I
do like posting to show how some of these things can be put back into service

The sides are 7/16 OSB board painted white inside to help with the light levels, ( After
checking it today it should be fine), There is some fiberglass insulation at the ground seal
and in the corners. Seems somewhat air tight when sealed so I am hoping to only have to use
a small electric space heater.

Already planning the un-covering party for next May, ( Going to need at least 6 people to lift
and move this thing

~ Steve

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 9:35 am

Wes,
I plan on a PVC built structure with a 6 mil UV cover. Open on the sides most times and dropped down during a cold snap. Anything below about -7 Celcius and I'll slide in a portable halogen light. It should emit enough heat to do the job. It's light weight, comes apart in minutes, it's easy to construct, and can be added to as the palm grows taller.

The local municipality isn't giving me grief, it's the RDN (Regional District of Nanaimo). They act only on complaints, so someone decided they'd do there civic duty and report me for investigation. So now I'm on their books and haven't heard much lately from them.
"Good sized" Sabal and R. hystrix are nearly impossible to come by around here. Even if I could bring them in, I'd be tying up a ton of dough and waiting many years for interested parties to purchase them. So long story short, no. Most people don't get beyond Trachycarpus here, maybe the odd Chamaerops or so.

Catch any good fish? Cheers, Barrie.

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 1:48 pm

Dam...that looks nice

I have lived in homes worse than that

Wes North Van · Post by **Wes North Van** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 7:37 pm

One small trout. I am more of a salt water salmon fisherman. This trout was the size of the herring I use as bait.
I bought a good sized needle from Broadway nurseries in Ontario.
I think I am going to order some more from them next year. They also had 7 gallon s. minors and I am for sure getting some of those if no one here gets any in.

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 8:55 am

I've never heard of "Broadway". I maybe interested in a few if you plan on another order in the future. How are they to deal with?

Cheers, Barrie.

Wes North Van · Post by **Wes North Van** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 12:15 am

They were great. I got my palm when he said I would and the palm was flawless when I got it.
I will let you know when I send in an order next spring, around February.

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:19 am

That would be great. Let me know, cheers ... Barrie.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:27 am

Seems to have worked out just fine. Just took a day to construct and seems well worth it

Opening a new spear today........... Hopefully I can take this down in 1 more month.

Also have a Cycas taitungensis X revoluta in there that seems to be doing well too

[EDIT]

First day of Spring 3-21-07

A high of 80*F today and lows in the 40's forecast for the next two weeks, decided to take the shelter off and let it get back to growing

The Opuntia in there rotted from too much moisture this Winter, The Cycas was OK ,but had developed a real shallow root system from all the frequent watering ( Potted it back up )

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 12:38 pm

and as time goes on......

This was April, ( 2 nights of 18F )

After 12"+ of rain and flooding in May a case of crown rot had set in.......

Currently, after a bit of minor surgery it is off and growing again

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 1:44 pm

Amazing. I will try a method much like that on my Revoluta. Do you use X-Mas lights inside the enclosure?
If it works, I might try a Robusta again, but more than likely I will stick with Cycads as they seem to not hate the moisture in an enclosure as much as Palms.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:42 pm

Used a little 750W heater on it's lowest setting, kept it about 32-34F. In the cold snaps we had, it dipped down to 20 - 22F a few times.

I like using the enclosure because it does away with hunidity/rot problems ( common when things are wrapped). Haven't tried just using X-mas lights yet.

Steve

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:59 am

Sounds good. I think we got one of those here at work. The humidity problem is what killed me last year I know. The tree made it just fine and was really healthy looking when I unwrapped. But after time (a week or two) the spears pulled.

Bgreen · Post by **Bgreen** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:09 am

Great pics!
I have been thinking about adding one of these to my collection, but didn't want another potted plant.
Love the hot house idea!

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:03 am

Thanks Ben !

With everthing this one has been through I'm amazed it's still hanging in there

Steve

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 6:49 am

Not a great year growth wise but it's time to try and get it through Winter #2

This year just a simple wooden frame with plastic covering.
( With a small table saw this went together pretty fast ~ using 2"X3" framing)

The top and back wall are layered on the outside and inside.
( an electric stapler would be real nice to have ........... )

An old storm window on the front, will add some heat and keep my fingers crossed

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:59 am

What did you plan to do about the moisture level? How dry is the soil?

Allen

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:12 am

Allen, The front window will slide open allowing me access, still need to get the bottom sealed and the seams taped.
We are expecting storms today, be a good test to see if the plastic will hold up to the wind

Steve

PalmsNorth.com

W. robusta

W. robusta

Robusta?

Re cactus pads

W. robusta

Cotton threads W. filifera vs W.robusta

W.robusta

C.revoluta

Update....

End of season picture....

Here's another.

Winter Home

Palm house

Steve

Thanks for the Comments!

Winter cover

Barrie

Good to here Wes

Barrie

Thanks Wes

Winter Protection

What has happemed since...........

Heat

It Survived!