Sabal McCurtain seedlings

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:11 pm

Saw these were available at PDN. -24F -31C

http://www.plantdelights.com/Sabal-mino ... info/2006/

Wish some big box store in British Columbia--or back east even--would buy a ton of these, so we could get them (without having to pay the pricey phytosanitary certificate).

Barb

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 3:20 pm

I have 2 little ones...big enough to plant one this year though

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:08 pm

With two, are you going to "test" one and not ever protect it?

Barb

TimMAz6 · Post by **TimMAz6** » Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:12 pm

I'd wish they could survive +5F here in Massachusetts

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:50 am

IF there is anything that has the slightest chance here, its "McCurtain". I know i managed to get some seedlings, but the labels on the bag faded, and now I have 3 random unknown types of sabal palm

. Im hoping that the blue colouring wil separate it from the others. I probably wont know for a few years

Barb, you should try one there. I would have to assume that they would do better in a dry winter. IT would look wicked next to your washies

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 8:53 am

I've killed a few McCurtains ver the years! I noticed nothing special about their ability to handle cold compared to other minors. Perhaps when they dig down (establish) they might be hardier? It makes sense that they would be hardier than average, I just don't know of anyone outside OK who has shown this to be the case (and the cold there is VERY different from the cold here, just ask Erik!).

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 2:14 pm

lucky1 wrote:With two, are you going to "test" one and not ever protect it?

Barb

Don't think any palms would live here unprotected.....

Sabals are much more hardy when they have fully divided leaves.

Cameron_z6a_N.S. · Post by **Cameron_z6a_N.S.** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 4:21 pm

I have one planted outside right now. We'll see how it overwintered in a few weeks

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 4:55 pm

Your winter's been so mild, Cameron, doubt that is a test for it...

But it'll certainly determine whether McCurtain likes winter rain at your mild temps.

Yes, it probably has to be protected to some size before even attempting it.

When I see all the "usual crap" that nurseries sell, why on earth don't their buyers ever go for this interesting/unusual/zone pushing stuff.
Norfolk Island Pines and Christmas cactus don't survive here either but shelves are full of 'em

Barb

TimMAz6 · Post by **TimMAz6** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 5:03 pm

Hi Cameron,

your protecting your Sabals....correct? I got a S. minor unprotected and it's been 100% fried for weeks now.

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 5:03 pm

Paul Ont wrote:I've killed a few McCurtains ver the years! I noticed nothing special about their ability to handle cold compared to other minors. Perhaps when they dig down (establish) they might be hardier? It makes sense that they would be hardier than average, I just don't know of anyone outside OK who has shown this to be the case (and the cold there is VERY different from the cold here, just ask Erik!).

So true! All my tests in the past showed nothing special compared to the others. Of cource I never tried any of good size.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Jan 28, 2012 5:16 pm

All my tests in the past showed nothing special

And you have cold dry winters like me.
Darn.

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 10:51 am

lucky1 wrote:
All my tests in the past showed nothing special
And you have cold dry winters like me.
Darn.

Might be worth a try, I only tried seedlings.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 3:41 pm

Trachys and Sabals(to name a few)really do
need to be bigger to have any cold hardiness.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:26 pm

I finally found a small local nursery last Spring with 5 gallon size Sabal minor for $125 but too late to do me good. He said few people buy them as they seem so expensive for the size.

Anyway give them a try, y'all. Right up there with needle palms for taking the cold! :lickice:

Cameron_z6a_N.S. · Post by **Cameron_z6a_N.S.** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:21 pm

Barb and Tim: I have protected the McCurtain with some mulch, dry leaves, and a recycling bag. My goal is not to have to heat any outdoor palms

coconutmike · Post by **coconutmike** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:27 pm

I have not seen a noticeable difference in any of the sabal minor species exce[pt for 1 variety I purchased in North Florida where it gets down to -11C this species has been in the garden for 3-4 years now. I have 1 near the foundation a 1 far from the foundation with a rose cone cover that's it. I am experimenting with sabal minor louisiana in the 3 gal size I have high hopes. Will keep everyone posted on that
cheers
mike

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:05 pm

While we all know I love these palms, I am very sceptical about using -30 C in marketing. I am not saying it didn't happen, once, somewhere, but still. I saw for myself that seedlings in the wild shrugged off -15 C with
no snow cover, and would be comfortable with a claim of -20 C. Not -30 C.

coconutmike · Post by **coconutmike** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 8:24 pm

I agree -30C for a seedling doesn't seem possible. The sabal minors that I tested were 7 gal in the past and a large 3gal . but I did have some young seedlings fry at -13C
mike

PalmsNorth.com

Sabal McCurtain seedlings

Sabal McCurtain seedlings

sabal minor-

sabal minor -30C