Beaucarnea recurvata

I know this is probably going to roll some eyes, but has anyone tried this outside in a very sheltered aspect? I have three plants and I have planted one outdoors under a canopy of evergreen leaves in basically full sun with free draining soil in the local park (Its ok Im allowed to!).. which is also on the edge of a hill, not far from the sea.. so frost is light and infrequent.

I think it'll do ok, or at least I hope so.. It would be nice to hear if some other people have at least had some success with it?

Stephen

 

Not tried it, but I know it wouldn't work here, too cold and too wet in winter.
One of mine even rotted off in the garage last winter.

Would be good to see some pictures, how big is the plant you are using?

 

@stephenprudence Have a look here growingontheedge.net - Search

 

Hi Stephen. You probably don't want me to answer this question!

Hope you are doing well.

 

Hi guys sorry I asked this question then disappeared.

Pete quite small to be honest but I have a fair few plants and have a few to experiment with.

One of the reasons I chose the area is it is extremely dry, and in winter its also dry, in full sun under the thick canopy of Holly Trees. It's living under there with Aeoniums, Aloes and Citrus.

But it sounds like I may just be on the wrong side of the climate perhaps. Its in no way a long term prospect anyway.

Hello Victoria, hope you're going well! I think your answer is probably going to be true! Ah well no harm in asking

 

update on this, due to an insanely mild winter; no snow, just 1 air frost of -0.3C and some shelter, the very young plant has so far made it through the winter with no issues.

 

Hi Stephen. To be honest think yours would survive in a protected place. You have probably read this from Wiki ...

Cultivation
Having gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5] B. recurvata is often grown as a houseplant or an outdoor plant in temperate climate gardens. Slow-growing and drought-tolerant, Beaucarnea recurvata is hardy to −5 °C (23 °F), grows in full sun to light shade, and requires proper soil mix to drain when watered. However, be cautious not to over-water, as this will foster pests like the mealybug and cochineal insect. If going to be kept in places with strong winters, it must be an indoor plant as it cannot resist cold temperatures. To maintain its original shape, the ends of its leaves should not be snipped, and when repotted it must keep all of its roots.[6]

I will take a pic of mine in the next few days. I have the standard plus three little red ones planted in one oval china sink. They don't get much sun.

 

I have not tidied them up yet, although we have had a mild winter I was waiting for March which is of course tomorrow. Actually my gardener is coming in a couple of weeks so may have him do all this 'bending' work.

 

Here is one I have seen here ... that's the rear of my car Izzy Blue

 

Something seems to have bored in the caudex of one of mine, not sure what it is or if its still living in there.
The plant appears to be dying, or atleast the leaves are looking brown in the centre which is not normal.

 

Update on Mine which was moved from the china sink into a giant pot a couple of years ago ...


It is on the Raised Patio out front. The sun is in the wrong place .. along with two Brugmansias in pots ...

... next to the Brugmansias in Pots ...


I'll get a better picture when the sun moves.

 

Lovely Beaucarnea @Victoria
Where's mine ? I can't remember where I put it last autumn ... it must be in the greenhouse somewhere. I will have a look later on.
I won't be putting it outside yet.

 

We have never put ours outside. It is in our unheated conservatory and has been now for over 10 years. Was unhappy when we had to wrap it up when some work was done on the floor.

 

Only just found this thread............ some beautiful pics of your B c's. Mine are now aged 40 and were grown from seed. The largest one is covered in "sprouts" but the others have been kept restricted by the size of pots. Those do go outside for a while in clement weather here in Somerset but I've never actually risked permanent planting in a garden in the UK. I did plant one in SW Spain about 20 years ago - hopefully it may still be there and thriving

 

I grew a pair from seed also probably for 40yrs, both are gone now, one I gave away and never heard anymore about it and the other had its base eaten into by mice in my garage over winter.
A picture from 2018,


They were on their last legs by then and just needed bigger and bigger pots.