Hardy Palm Suggestion?

Discussion in 'Tropical Gardening' started by HarryS, Dec 4, 2020.

  1. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    It's better to buy just the log/trunk, PA, as it's cheaper and more satisfying. I bought mine as a 3' long log/trunk, but without the fronds and roots, in August 2018 for around £95.
    upload_2020-12-5_17-17-22.png
    from the above to what it is now in two years.
    upload_2020-12-5_17-18-32.png

    I bought the large container, filled it with a mixture of compost, sand and potting grit, put the base of the log into it and within weeks I had fronds (top image) appear. So, it's only been in the container, in a sheltered spot for just over 2 years, and it's obviously loving where it is. It also seems to be hardier that most people believe as I've never covered it up even during the one or two really sharp frosts in that time. I water it with the garden hose and spray the fronds, the top and sides of the log when needed.:cat-kittyandsmiley::coffee:
     
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      Last edited: Dec 5, 2020
    • flounder

      flounder Super Gardener

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      For a smallish palm in a container, if you can give it shade, chamaedorea radicalis or microspadix are fairly robust. Otherwise you'll be looking at trachycarpus fortunei, or wagnerianus...which will be ok in a pot for a few years, but then you'll have to do the most humane thing and set it free.
      A problem with most palms, is their deep roots, they don't like being confined
      Another option for the 'palmy' look could be mahonia 'soft caress'.

      As for the tree fern, can be a right b***h to keep watered in a pot!
       
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      • ARMANDII

        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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        To be honest, it's not been, flounder.:nonofinger: It's sitting in the large container under a Lilac and over shadlowed by 12' high Climbing Roses. I think I last watered it in August, or was that a casual feed?:scratch:
        They're no more difficult to water than any other plant in a large container and the only time I kept it watered was in the very early weeks when it was putting down roots and putting out it's first fronds and getting established, which it seemed to do in a very short time. After that it got watered when I remembered to do so or when it rained, so it's really not a "right b***h to keep watered" more than anything else in a pot.:dunno::doh: It does like, when you do remember to water it, a watering onto the very top of the log from where the fronds grow.
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        When the tree fern craze first started I used to see quite a lot around here, planted in all kinds of places, mostly full sun, because all those that garden with their pocket rather than their brain were getting them.
        I cant think of one that I see on my travels now, presumably all have died.

        And I think its more down to watering rather than the cold.
         
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          I have to have a watering system on a timer to keep my tree fern happy, the crown needs watering the most.
           
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            .. and those instant gardening tv programmes that promoted them said they didn't have any roots so were put into gravel or even concrete. No wonder many failed. It's because they are sold as logs with the bottom bit chain sawed off that encouraged people to think they didn't root.

            In actual fact they develop quite a big fibrous root system which will fill up a pot very quickly. They do much better in the ground.
             
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            • HarryS

              HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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              No probs @ThePlantAssassin , I am learning a huge amount about "palm" viability in this post. I am sitting back and digesting the info from our gurus before I make a decision. Which at the moment will be a slightly confused "I don't know".
               
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              • ARMANDII

                ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                But that's how I garden all the time, Harry, am I doing something wrong.??:scratch::doh::heehee::heehee:
                 
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                • Freddy

                  Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                  Very nice. I’ve often fancied one myself. I vaguely remember starting a thread on them a long time ago. A few years ago a place near me were selling them £20 per foot. I might pop in, in spring.
                   
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                  • ARMANDII

                    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                    Mine was just a fancy at experimenting, Freddy. But I'm more than happy with it and it really is so easy to grow that even a complete Village Idiot like me can grow them and they do catch the eye when out in the garden.
                    Seagrave is selling them, pre-order for April 21, for 2' logs £51.60p, or 3' logs, pre-order for April £78.60. I bought from them, as I said, in August 2018 and they were more expensive then!!:doh::wallbanging::heehee:
                     
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                    • Freddy

                      Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                      I’m guessing you mean Seagrave. I’ve messaged them to see if they are able to supply a 5ft specimen. If they can, I’ll give it some serious consideration. Thing is, it would involve a certain amount of remodelling in the garden, but sure enough, they make for striking plants.
                       
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                        Last edited: Dec 6, 2020
                      • ARMANDII

                        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                        You're right, Freddy, I meant Seagrave, and I've corrected it, must be the time of night/morning:dunno::heehee:
                         
                      • HarryS

                        HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                        Well it looks like I have whittled it down to the Phoenix canary palm. If it can survive both Wilkos and Armandi, it may have half a chance with me :heehee:
                        The Trachy's are very nice as well, so may change my mind. Is March a good time to buy after the worst of the weather?
                         
                      • ARMANDII

                        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                        So true, Harry, so true:dunno::doh::heehee::heehee::heehee::loll:
                         
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                        • pete

                          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                          March is probably the most expensive time to buy.
                           
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