Butia advice-Next Winter

[Kansas]

As of today, I think I am having pretty good luck with the Winterizing protection on my Robusta.
Am I correct in thinking that Butia are more hardy thatn Robusta? If so, should I try to plant a Butia in the yard too and protect it like I did the Robusta next Winter???

[Laaz]

Butia are quite a bit more hardy than Robusta, But small plants need quite a bit of protection in your zone.

[Kansas]

What I did with my Robusta, and tell me if it would work on a Butia that you sent me....
X-Mas Lights (small ones) wrapped on the trunk and ground around the trunk. Not many at the spear.
Wrapped lights onto trunk with Burlap. Wrapped Burlap in clear transparent plastic. Poured two trash bags of Sugar Maple leafs around the tree. Wrapped the leaves with Transparent plastic. Covered with two layers yellow trash bags. I keep the trash bags off if the temp goes above 40 for breathing.

[Laaz]

That should be a big help. You also want to keep the roots from freezing. Does your ground freeze ? If so I would dig a trench down below the frost line & insulate the area from freezing. You can use multiple layers of that insulation foam board they sell at Home depot.

[Wes North Van]

I have two butia eriospatha that I am waiting for them to grow large enough to plant outside.
I have heard eriospatha is hardier than capitata but does anyone have any experience in this?

[Barrie]

Wes, I've gathered the same info from numerous internet sources. There doesn't seem to be to much discrepancy on that point.

Cheers, Barrie

[Wes North Van]

I hope they are right. The seedlings are growing quickly and I am looking forward to planting them outside in a few years. They should be fine if they are hardier than capitata.

[Barrie]

Here's a pic of Butia yatay. It's reported to be similar in most respects to capiata and eriospatha.
Cheers, Barrie.

[Kansas]

Laaz,
Where I live, the frost line is usually 2"-3" but can e up to 6" as I have seen from supervising my contractors.
However, the way I wrapped lights around the Robusta, when it snowed and we had a lil ice storm, about 6" out all around the plastic, there was no snow or ice, the heat kept the ground from freezing. So hopefully!!!!!!!!

[oppalm]

Kansas (Wes) - for what its worth I think your plan will work. The bottom line is that for maybe 1-2 weeks each year you will have to provide extra protection for those nights that get really cold. Other than that it will be a piece of cake. (power of positive thinking).


Also - winter is almost over, but don't get complacent in your winter protection (for my midwest friends). Especially watch out for moisture this time of year. Keep 'em covered during rain and snow events.

[Laaz]

With the amount of Butia we have in our area, there are many different color variations. I would say that many are different species of Butia's that have been brought in over the years. I don't see any difference in hardiness, but we don't get down to temps that would push the limit. We have Green, Silver, Blue, ETC... Everything sold in the stores & nursery trade are just labeled as "Pindo Palm".