Posted by Paul Ont on 5/12/2008, 11:17 am, in reply to "choosing my palm carfuly"
130.63.5.111
Jeff,
The palm you saw may have survived -20(Fahrenhiet I assume?) but if it is a true palm it would have needed protection. There are anecdotal reports of pams surviving temps as low as -25f or so, but without a temperature probe on the leaf we really don't know how low the actual tissue experienced.
In Columbus, I agree with Randall here, your best bets are Rhapidophyllum hystrix and Sabal minor; but even they will need protection while becoming estabished... And they don't really grow to tree size (perhaps 5 feet for S. minor and 8 feet for R. hystrix).
If you want a palm 'tree' then you'd have to go the route of Trachy fortnei, wagnerianus, or nainital (all members of the fortunei group). These will need protection to survive the winter in zone 6... Other options include Sabal birmingham, supposed to be similar to S. minor in hardiness but can grow a trunk; S. texensis, and, perhaps, with protection and luck, Sabal palmetto (or texana)...
Check out http://hometown.aol.com/fitzroya/myhomepage/cooking.html for the best explaination of palm resistance to cold... But keep in mind that he is in a drier climate where the cold doesn't last as long. Palms are LESS hardy in the east.
Paul
Message Thread:
« Back to thread