Yeah well...Since I can't grow a Bizzie outdoors, and there's only the remotest hope for a Brahea armata, I wouldn't be disappointed to have this in my yard. 😆 😆

Brahea armata

Barb

Can you get them anywhere Barb?

Very nice specimen!
After seeing a few in (southern) Utah last year, I have more respect for Brahea.

Despite their high price, the Brahea armata are, in my opinion, the poor man's Bizzie.

I bought my two twins 5 or 6 years ago from a guy on the Coast.
They're not readily available from what I've heard.
If you can find a 2 or 3 gallon B.armata, grab it.
Hang the price.
They're spectacular.

But a bugger to protect for winter...I planted my little one this March (and you could almost hear it cry about the cold soil).
This winter it'll probably croak.
But it's my only chance of approaching the beauty of a Bizzie.

Barb

Despite their high price, the Brahea armata are, in my opinion, the poor man's Bizzie.

Barb

😆

Well put.

If I wanted a Bizzie in ground, the least expensive option for me is: move far to the south. If I lived in Brownsville, Texas, I'd plan on protection. But would go for it!

A Brahea in Brownsville? Good to go. I'd try them further north, even to Dallas with protection.

But now let me make a prediction: Jim will succeed in Iowa. But wouldn't mean I could do it here. 😳

Jim IS the man I try to follow in advice and types of palms to grow outside since we live in similar zones.

Jim IS the man I try to follow in advice and types of palms to grow outside since we live in similar zones.

I'm flattered-thanks for that!

"But now let me make a prediction: Jim will succeed in Iowa. But wouldn't mean I could do it here. icon_redface.gif"

Erik you crack me up,a few more comments like these and you guys will have me planting my Bizzy out this year! 😯

you guys will have me planting my Bizzy out this year

Agree, Jim's the man if anybody were to do it.

You're out there all the time in winter anyway, Jim :bootyshake: 😆 😆

althought Jim does seem to have the protection methods down to a science and I would def follow his lead I think I have decided to go with a brahea in the next couple weeks should be a bit easier in my climate. never considered one before but this thread ahs made me take a closer look.

Super! Let us know how it goes. Will definitely need protection--they are zone 8, so electricity plus keeping it dry will be essential (IMHO).
Not that I get a commission or anything, but Phil at Jungle Music will ship to you.

Species Common Band$ 1G $ 2G $ 3-5G $ TreePot $ Citrus $ Seven $ Fifteen $ 20G $ 25G $ Box $
Brahea armata Mexican Blue Fan Palm, Blue Hesper palm $30 $35 $ 65 $ 175 $ 350+

Here are 4 "Blue" palms I've bought from Phil at Jungle Music with the "Bizzy" being the first last fall. It overwintered in my hobby greenhouse and although didn't grow suffered I think from too much humidity inside the greenhouse. Lowest temps with my ceramic heater set to 50deg dropped down to the 30's a few times.

Damage you see on Bizzy I think is from that humidity, as other plants in there had spotting from moisture. Palm behind the Bizzy is a Blue European fan palm which SAILED through the winter in there. Other two are Blue Hesper and Blue Pindo palm I just had shipped to me in the past couple of weeks from Phil.

Very nice--and demonstrates my point. Bizzie is lovely but not a cheap date.
That Blue European Fan Palm is stunning. The only one I ever had, from Cistus, died years ago and I forgot how good looking they can be. And almost certainly a zone tougher than Brahea, so I now move that to #1 for blue fan palms 😀