Walmart

[pittsjim]

I thought I would pass this along for anyone in the Pittsburgh area looking for palms, the Walmart at Mills mall has 3g Windmill, Sabal and Needle palms there, they are $18

[BILL MA]

Funny to see them in the north isn't it. I have them around here too. Good way to do unheated tests just save the recites.
I just may if I have any yard at all left, I'm running out quickly.

Bill

[JackLord]

Funny to see them in the north isn't it. I have them around here too. Good way to do unheated tests just save the recites.
I just may if I have any yard at all left, I'm running out quickly.

Bill

You and me both. Not a lot of space left as Mrs Lord needs hers. But I am eyeing a spot on the south side next to the chimney. Perfect once the azalea is moved.

[Jova]

I found one of these palms at a local walmart here, 18 bucks for a 2-3 gallon needle palm... I bought it, and would have bought more, but it was the only one they had. The next day, I called every Walmart within reasonable driving distance to see if they had any more of these cold hardy palms (was looking for a sabal) and they all told me they didn't have them... The thing is, I'm guessing that the person I talked to at each of these stores had no idea what I was talking about and probably would have told me that they didn't have them, even if they were leaning against one of them while they were on the phone with me:)

[JackLord]

I found one of these palms at a local walmart here, 18 bucks for a 2-3 gallon needle palm... I bought it, and would have bought more, but it was the only one they had. The next day, I called every Walmart within reasonable driving distance to see if they had any more of these cold hardy palms (was looking for a sabal) and they all told me they didn't have them... The thing is, I'm guessing that the person I talked to at each of these stores had no idea what I was talking about and probably would have told me that they didn't have them, even if they were leaning against one of them while they were on the phone with me:)

I agree in total. Indeed I find calling nurseries to be futile, especially when it comes to palms. You have to roll the dice and just go.

[TerdalFarm]

Just back from the local Walmart. No palms.
I've had my best luck at Home Depot. No, they know nothing about palms. But I think we get palms intended for the Dallas area.
The locally-owned nursery I like occasionally has palms, but they know nothing about them. Almost all are labelled "Chinese Fan Palm"--even Washy! I asked once and was told that they had a lot of Chinese Fan Palm labels so they were putting them on every palm until they ran out.
So, as for calling, I don't bother. I just drop by on occasion and plan on doing my own palm ids.
--Erik

[KirkCO]

Here in Aurora, Colorado they have some trachys and Mediterranean Fan Palms. They are all labeled as "Cold Hearty." The funny thing is that the Trachys are labeled "Needle Palms," when they are clearly not needle palms.

[TerdalFarm]

Helps explain why many folks give up on the hobby. They do a little research, head to the store they trust, and buy a palm that dies. Because it was not the palm they thought they were buying. --Erik

[JackLord]

The local HD here has 3g Butias and Mediterraneans for a pittance. Huge Trachys as well, but more costly. No Sabal Minors. Must be a bumper crop of Meds.

I called a local nursery to see if they had any Sabals. They said no. I went anyway, and sure enough, in an obscure spot were five 3gs. I grabbed two and thus saved an all day round trip to Virginia Beach. And lots of Meds again. Huge ones.

Maybe I should take a look at Walmart.

[TerdalFarm]

Good find!
I suggest buying the biggest Med you can find. My HD Chammy from three years ago has been great. I only wish I had bought the biggest one they had vs. a small one as a trial.
I protect it some, but nothing crazy like with Butia. Right now it is growing super in the heat we are enjoying.
Well, after I finish this beer I'll be back outside in the garden....
--Erik

[BILL MA]

I had a lady stop by looking at plants the other day that bought a trachy from a local nursery, they told here it was zone six hardy. I chuckled and said nicely well if that's what they want to tell you that's fine but it's not. She bought some stuff and is going to come back around protection time to get the real scoop.

As for walmart they just can't seem to label any of the hardy palms right at all. To bad really, there going to piss people off for sure saying this stuff needs no extra protection at all.

Bill

[hardyjim]

What does Wal-mart do right??????
besides attract the silliest looking people you ever saw!

Hey,if they are going guarantee their plants for a year(do they?)it's not
their funeral,just the poor plants.

[BILL MA]

They do with a recite. If I had the room I would be doing tests, I might try and find a spot still.

Bill

[JackLord]

Good find!
I suggest buying the biggest Med you can find. My HD Chammy from three years ago has been great. I only wish I had bought the biggest one they had vs. a small one as a trial.
I protect it some, but nothing crazy like with Butia. Right now it is growing super in the heat we are enjoying.
Well, after I finish this beer I'll be back outside in the garden....
--Erik

Thanks.

I grabbed a pretty big Med earlier this spring via mail order. Its doing well. I also have a smaller one that I planted last year from HD. I left it unprotected until the impending snow storm of the decade. I covered it with a cardboard box which itself was covered with 2 feet of snow. Did the trick, more or less. But a bunch of leaves turned brown and have not died off. Otherwise its ok.

Hopefully, with a mild winter, I will have my slice of Waimea.

[TerdalFarm]

Jack,
it'll recover fast.
My Chammy was deciduous (like my avatar Butia) until this year when I used a little 6 watt pipe heating cable around the truck and spear. It kept all of its leaves, but they show some damage. New leaves are growing very fast (for a Chammy).
As for Walmart, they do have nice "Tropicanna" for US$13, vs. US$35 at the local nurseries (albeit, those are bigger and healthier). I might get some of those.
--Erik

[BILL MA]

My med fan was deciduous this year. I was going to dig it up but it's pushing hard so I guess it gets to live. I'll try harder to protect it this year.

Bill

[KirkCO]

I'm also seeing trachys and mediterranan fan palms labeled "cold hearty palms," even up here in the Denver, CO region

Be careful, though. Many of these palms are mislabeled. The containers labeled "needle palms" are NOT needle palms!! They are actually mediterraneans.

[TerdalFarm]

Kirk,
you're right. You have to plan on doing your own palm ID, which I think turns off many prospective new-comings to the hobby.
We need more in the business like Bill! And Penny:
It isn't easy. I bought two "Sabal mexicana" from a not-so-good nursery in Dallas last October, on sale. They had taken lousy care of their palms. The only dedicated worker was from St. Louis, and all he knew was the standard, "you can't grow those in Oklahoma." I honestly do not know my Sabal well enough to be sure what the heck I bought on sale for US$15 each. W wants me to dig them up and bring them in, but they are not that special so I'll just try to protect them as if they are S. mexicana.
I also bought a poorly-cared for Trachy from them, but at least I knew what I was getting.
As for WalMart, I bought two "tropicanna" for US$13 each. Not all that well cared for, but 1/3 the price of good specimens from the quality locally-owned nurseries. So, I guess I'm guilty of supporting their business model.
They don't look so good; I better go water them again....
--Erik

[lucky1]

Erik,
I've got 4 little Sabals, a mexicana (doing the best), a S.minor "Charleston" (almost dead), a S.uresana (doing so so), and S.palmetto (also so-so).
The S.mexicana seems to be tougher than the rest for me anyway at their young age.

My money's on the mexicana.

That "poorly cared for Trachy" will bounce back vigorously with good care at your farm.
Barb

[TerdalFarm]

Thanks. Barb.
Sabal mexicana actually seems reasonable given where I bought it (Dallas).
Naturally, it was labelled "Sabal texanum, Texas palm"

That awful Trachy spent the winter in the ballroom and is in the ground now. It is growing fast and looking better by the day.

--Erik

[JackLord]

Kirk,
you're right. You have to plan on doing your own palm ID, which I think turns off many prospective new-comings to the hobby.
We need more in the business like Bill! And Penny:
It isn't easy. I bought two "Sabal mexicana" from a not-so-good nursery in Dallas last October, on sale. They had taken lousy care of their palms. The only dedicated worker was from St. Louis, and all he knew was the standard, "you can't grow those in Oklahoma." I honestly do not know my Sabal well enough to be sure what the heck I bought on sale for US$15 each. W wants me to dig them up and bring them in, but they are not that special so I'll just try to protect them as if they are S. mexicana.
I also bought a poorly-cared for Trachy from them, but at least I knew what I was getting.
As for WalMart, I bought two "tropicanna" for US$13 each. Not all that well cared for, but 1/3 the price of good specimens from the quality locally-owned nurseries. So, I guess I'm guilty of supporting their business model.
They don't look so good; I better go water them again....
--Erik

That and the fact that you have to pamper them for years probably turns people off. I have watched as the supply of hardy palms has increased at the bix box stores over the past 10 years or so. They used to be a niche product at a few nurseries, at least around here. Now they are approaching potential mass consumption.

But I do not notice any huge increase in the number of them in yards, although its not like l really have the ability to measure that. I just wonder if the vast majority of these palms are purchased only to meet their demise due to negligence. Most of the people in my area do not mow their own lawns anymore. Hard to imagine them constructing leaf cages or greenhouses.

The thing is, and I realize this is a bit selfish, I would prefer if growing hardy palms remained an obscure activity. If a few gardens here and there have them, its cool- an anomaly so to speak. If more and more people do it, it loses its cool factor. Not to mention that the mass planting of palms would make this region's flora look kind of strange. But that is just me. Any thoughts?

[lucky1]

You make a good point, jacklord, although I'd still like to see in-ground palms especially in the downtown areas where microclimates might allow it.
Besides, maybe then we can sell them some

mass planting of palms would make this region's flora look kind of strange

I'm convinced palms would "fit in" to landscapes and flora; it's just that we're not used to seeing it.
e.g. English Bay Vancouver...stunning Trachies and run-of-the-mill annuals = superb effect.

If it would ever become commonplace to have outdoor palms here, I'd plant 20 out and hope that 15 would make it.

Barb

[BILL MA]

People here seem to be buying up my tall trachys mad fast, I have 10 left. Most of the people are potting them up after I tell them what it takes to keep them in the ground. I really need to do some tests this winter without heat so I feel confident selling them to people with just a rain snow cover. The last thing I'm going to do is sell "cold hearty palms." WTF? I offer free potting to my customers with the right soil so there plants actually make it. What can you do

Bill

[lucky1]

Bill that's wonderful news.
The word is obviously getting around fast.
And they know palms are great in pots especially for the first few years.

Your local newspaper should do a story on you and your nursery...then we'd get more pictures!
Congrats!
Barb

[BILL MA]

I know Barb. I'm not being lazy I promise you. I will get those photos up just for you If not Scott's going to post them from when he's here. I'm on it!

Bill

[BILL MA]

By the way the news paper did a story last year but I kept it a secret because it was goofy Front page too!

Bill

[lucky1]

Oh for heaven's sake, you didn't tell us???????
Probably just the writer was goofy, we'd love to read/see it.

Please scan it and post it...obviously it was on your palms?

Or the uncles?
Barb

[TerdalFarm]

Yes, we have to see the article!
Front page? Must be about the missing Uncles....

[JackLord]

You make a good point, jacklord, although I'd still like to see in-ground palms especially in the downtown areas where microclimates might allow it.
Besides, maybe then we can sell them some

mass planting of palms would make this region's flora look kind of strange

I'm convinced palms would "fit in" to landscapes and flora; it's just that we're not used to seeing it.
e.g. English Bay Vancouver...stunning Trachies and run-of-the-mill annuals = superb effect.

If it would ever become commonplace to have outdoor palms here, I'd plant 20 out and hope that 15 would make it.

Barb

One problem might be environmental concerns. I read that Los Angeles now places prioritiy on planting Sycamores rather than Palms as they help fight global warming.

My county government can barely manage the decidious, native stock. I doubt they could nurture hardy palms.

[lucky1]

JackLord,

There's a heck of a lot more maintenance/cleanup under a Sycamore tree than a palm.
Typical of government to not think of that...our gov't anyway.

Barb

[JackLord]

JackLord,

There's a heck of a lot more maintenance/cleanup under a Sycamore tree than a palm.
Typical of government to not think of that...our gov't anyway.

Barb

I think that is the point. A Sycamore has branches and leaves that provide shade and cool temps. And it drops leaves which form topsoil. A palm does not do much of either.

Or so they say....

[lucky1]

OK I get it.

Our municipality's maintenance workers spend a month "power blowing" fallen leaves from sidewalks and playgrounds, removing them to the compost pile at the dump. Lest someone slip and fall on moldy leaves in the park i.e. liability.

[JackLord]

OK I get it.

Our municipality's maintenance workers spend a month "power blowing" fallen leaves from sidewalks and playgrounds, removing them to the compost pile at the dump. Lest someone slip and fall on moldy leaves in the park i.e. liability.

I use them to protect my palms.