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Butia (update)
Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:43 pm
by Barrie
A quick post to update youz on my Butia capitata. A real workhorse in my front garden has proven itself again. After being blasted with cold, snow, wind storms and torrential rain, this has my seal of approval.
Cheers, Barrie.
(pic taken late afternoon -Jan.19 - 07)
Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:49 pm
by Laaz
I have never seen a damaged Butia down here. The lowest it has been since I lived here was 15 for a few hours one night, but no damage at all. We have thousands of Butia's in our neighborhood...
Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:27 pm
by Kansas
GREAT BUTT BARRY
That friend of mine Lake City, Florida sent me 5 seedlings and they are doing great for me indoors. One is putting on a new leaf as I type this.
This tree is starting to climb up my ladder of favorite palms very quick.
Barrie
Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:51 pm
by Wes North Van
That is great news about your butia. I believe your low was similar to mine -6.9C so it is a solid palm at that temp. I can't remember, did you give it overhead protection? What is the coldest temp it has seen and was it protected then?
I know your place has excel;lent drainage so I am sure that helps.
I have two butia eriospatha seedlings that hopefully will get there first mature frond this year. I hope to plant them both outside in a few years.
It's been colder
Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:11 am
by Barrie
Wes,
Yes, my coldest night was -6.9 celcius (19.6f) at the end of Nov 2006. The most recent cold snap last week I saw -5c (23f) overnight on Jan. 11/07. This Butia has held up to -10.3c (13.5f) on one night in Jan 2004. I push dry burlap down into the growth spear (crown) during any weather below -6c (21f) as an insulator just as insurance, and remove it once the weather breaks. No overhead protection has ever been used. I have never had even the slightest bit of damage to this magnificent palm. I had one year wher it pushed 11 new fronds in one season! It generally averages about 6 - 8 new fronds a season. It appears to have formed maximum width at the base and is now growing upward and a trunk will be more noticable this coming year. Hey, maybe even flower!
Cheers, Barrie.
Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:38 am
by Laaz
Barrie you will know when it is ready to flower. Butia's push up multiple seed pods. They are different from other palms. The pod will push out totally green, then start to turn brown. Then it will split open & produce the flowers & slowly you will see the berries begin to form.