My med fan was deciduous this year. I was going to dig it up but it's pushing hard so I guess it gets to live. I'll try harder to protect it this year.

Bill

I'm also seeing trachys and mediterranan fan palms labeled "cold hearty palms," even up here in the Denver, CO region

Be careful, though. Many of these palms are mislabeled. The containers labeled "needle palms" are NOT needle palms!! They are actually mediterraneans.

Kirk,
you're right. You have to plan on doing your own palm ID, which I think turns off many prospective new-comings to the hobby.
We need more in the business like Bill! 😀 And Penny: 😀
It isn't easy. I bought two "Sabal mexicana" from a not-so-good nursery in Dallas last October, on sale. They had taken lousy care of their palms. The only dedicated worker was from St. Louis, and all he knew was the standard, "you can't grow those in Oklahoma." I honestly do not know my Sabal well enough to be sure what the heck I bought on sale for US$15 each. W wants me to dig them up and bring them in, but they are not that special so I'll just try to protect them as if they are S. mexicana.
I also bought a poorly-cared for Trachy from them, but at least I knew what I was getting.
As for WalMart, I bought two "tropicanna" for US$13 each. Not all that well cared for, but 1/3 the price of good specimens from the quality locally-owned nurseries. So, I guess I'm guilty of supporting their business model.
They don't look so good; I better go water them again....
--Erik

Erik,
I've got 4 little Sabals, a mexicana (doing the best), a S.minor "Charleston" (almost dead), a S.uresana (doing so so), and S.palmetto (also so-so).
The S.mexicana seems to be tougher than the rest for me anyway at their young age.

My money's on the mexicana.

That "poorly cared for Trachy" will bounce back vigorously with good care at your farm. 😀
Barb

Thanks. Barb.
Sabal mexicana actually seems reasonable given where I bought it (Dallas).
Naturally, it was labelled "Sabal texanum, Texas palm" 😆

That awful Trachy spent the winter in the ballroom and is in the ground now. It is growing fast and looking better by the day. 🙂

--Erik

Kirk,
you're right. You have to plan on doing your own palm ID, which I think turns off many prospective new-comings to the hobby.
We need more in the business like Bill! 😀 And Penny: 😀
It isn't easy. I bought two "Sabal mexicana" from a not-so-good nursery in Dallas last October, on sale. They had taken lousy care of their palms. The only dedicated worker was from St. Louis, and all he knew was the standard, "you can't grow those in Oklahoma." I honestly do not know my Sabal well enough to be sure what the heck I bought on sale for US$15 each. W wants me to dig them up and bring them in, but they are not that special so I'll just try to protect them as if they are S. mexicana.
I also bought a poorly-cared for Trachy from them, but at least I knew what I was getting.
As for WalMart, I bought two "tropicanna" for US$13 each. Not all that well cared for, but 1/3 the price of good specimens from the quality locally-owned nurseries. So, I guess I'm guilty of supporting their business model.
They don't look so good; I better go water them again....
--Erik

That and the fact that you have to pamper them for years probably turns people off. I have watched as the supply of hardy palms has increased at the bix box stores over the past 10 years or so. They used to be a niche product at a few nurseries, at least around here. Now they are approaching potential mass consumption.

But I do not notice any huge increase in the number of them in yards, although its not like l really have the ability to measure that. I just wonder if the vast majority of these palms are purchased only to meet their demise due to negligence. Most of the people in my area do not mow their own lawns anymore. Hard to imagine them constructing leaf cages or greenhouses. 😉

The thing is, and I realize this is a bit selfish, I would prefer if growing hardy palms remained an obscure activity. If a few gardens here and there have them, its cool- an anomaly so to speak. If more and more people do it, it loses its cool factor. Not to mention that the mass planting of palms would make this region's flora look kind of strange. But that is just me. Any thoughts?

You make a good point, jacklord, although I'd still like to see in-ground palms especially in the downtown areas where microclimates might allow it.
Besides, maybe then we can sell them some 😆 😆

mass planting of palms would make this region's flora look kind of strange

I'm convinced palms would "fit in" to landscapes and flora; it's just that we're not used to seeing it.
e.g. English Bay Vancouver...stunning Trachies and run-of-the-mill annuals = superb effect.

If it would ever become commonplace to have outdoor palms here, I'd plant 20 out and hope that 15 would make it.

Barb

People here seem to be buying up my tall trachys mad fast, I have 10 left. Most of the people are potting them up after I tell them what it takes to keep them in the ground. I really need to do some tests this winter without heat so I feel confident selling them to people with just a rain snow cover. The last thing I'm going to do is sell "cold hearty palms." WTF? I offer free potting to my customers with the right soil so there plants actually make it. What can you do 😆

Bill

Bill that's wonderful news.
The word is obviously getting around fast.
And they know palms are great in pots especially for the first few years.

Your local newspaper should do a story on you and your nursery...then we'd get more pictures! 😆
Congrats!
Barb

I know Barb. I'm not being lazy I promise you. I will get those photos up just for you 😀 If not Scott's going to post them from when he's here. I'm on it!

Bill

By the way the news paper did a story last year but I kept it a secret because it was goofy 😳 Front page too!

Bill

Oh for heaven's sake, you didn't tell us???????
Probably just the writer was goofy, we'd love to read/see it.

Please scan it and post it...obviously it was on your palms?

Or the uncles? 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
Barb

Yes, we have to see the article! 😀
Front page? Must be about the missing Uncles....

You make a good point, jacklord, although I'd still like to see in-ground palms especially in the downtown areas where microclimates might allow it.
Besides, maybe then we can sell them some 😆 😆

mass planting of palms would make this region's flora look kind of strange

I'm convinced palms would "fit in" to landscapes and flora; it's just that we're not used to seeing it.
e.g. English Bay Vancouver...stunning Trachies and run-of-the-mill annuals = superb effect.

If it would ever become commonplace to have outdoor palms here, I'd plant 20 out and hope that 15 would make it.

Barb

One problem might be environmental concerns. I read that Los Angeles now places prioritiy on planting Sycamores rather than Palms as they help fight global warming.

My county government can barely manage the decidious, native stock. I doubt they could nurture hardy palms. 😉

JackLord,

There's a heck of a lot more maintenance/cleanup under a Sycamore tree than a palm.
Typical of government to not think of that...our gov't anyway.

Barb