update on T Fortuneis

For cold hardy palm tree enthusiasts.

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oppalm
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Location: KS - zone 6

update on T Fortuneis

Post by oppalm » Mon Nov 05, 2012 9:02 am

I am getting ready to protect my outdoor inground palms in the next few weeks. Thought I would show you some amazing growth on several little fortuneis I planted on the north side of my house in 2009 (probably during summer months but not absolutely certain when they went in ground). I had a bunch of seeds that germinated that year and I put these in ground as sacrificial lambs just to see if I could overwinter them with no heat. They have been covered the last 3 winters with a pile of leaves maybe 18" (inches) deep with a plastic trash bag over the top to keep them dry.
No supplemental heat provided. Our lows over the last 3 years have been right around 0F, maybe 5-7 nights each winter. The growth of these palms has been unbelievable.

first pic is taken Oct 2010. There is 5 little fortuneis and 1 chinese fan palm right in the middle of the pic.

Image

second pic, below, taken Nov 5, 2011. I am amazed at the growth from Oct 2010 to Nov 2011.

Image

this picture was taken last weekend Nov 4,2012. If you look right in the center you can see the Chinese Fan Palm and its large frond.

Image

and from another angle 11/4/2012
Image

I think based on my experience, the sooner you get your cold hardy stuff in the ground the faster it grows. Of course, you have to take care of it and provide protection and heat, if needed. Again, I have used NO HEAT for these little palms and they have survived and thrived the last 3 winters. I am pretty sure I've been lucky but it's still fun to experiment.

A couple of notes.

I do have 2 T Fortuneis that I protect with enclosures and a thermo cube.

I also have another T Fortunei on the south side of my house that I protect with just an enclosure and leaves , no heat.

Good luck to everyone protecting palms this winter.


Kent in Kansas
where it's cold in winter (always)
and hot in summer (usually)
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lucky1
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Post by lucky1 » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:12 am

Great experiment, Kent.
Incredible amount of growth for 3 years.

Some folks say wait until palms are older before putting them in the ground.
Others agree with you to get them planted when very young.

Despite your mins only being 0F for 5-7 days (wow, that's mild!), this is proof that waiting isn't necessary (or an advantage).

I'm surprised that Chinese Fan did as well as the Trachies :shock:

So...will you separate them now? :lol: :lol:

Barb
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Okanagan desert-palms
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Post by Okanagan desert-palms » Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:47 am

Kent that`s great you got them to survive with only mulch. -18c 0f is pretty darn cold especially for the Chinese fan palm. Are you still just using mulch now they are that much bigger? I`m going to give a Chinese fan palm a try in the ground next spring after seeing what you`ve been able to do.




John
Okanagan Palms and Tropicals
6b-7a

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oppalm
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Location: KS - zone 6

Post by oppalm » Mon Nov 05, 2012 12:42 pm

Barb - not sure when I will separate. Probably will have to do something soon as they are pretty close together.

John - yes , just using leaf mulch in a protected enclosure. I have this thread which shows how I protect my palms.
viewtopic.php?t=3970
Kent in Kansas
where it's cold in winter (always)
and hot in summer (usually)
<object width="290" height="130"><param name="movie" value="http://www.wunderground.com/swf/pws_min ... sh&lang=EN" /><embed src="http://www.wunderground.com/swf/pws_min ... sh&lang=EN" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="290" height="130" /></object>

Cameron_z6a_N.S.
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Post by Cameron_z6a_N.S. » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:03 pm

Nice pics, Kent. I also go with the no heat method :lol:
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lucky1
Arctic Palm Plantation
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Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:31 pm
Location: Vernon BC, Zone 5a or 5b (close to 6A!)

Post by lucky1 » Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:18 am

pretty close together.
Not as close as next year, Kent. :lol: :lol:
I also go with the no heat method
Yes, thinking of your Trachy seedlings planted beside the fence, Cameron.

Barb
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