Basselinia gracilis

[Scott]

Hi!

I was wondering about the cold hardiness of the Basselinia gracilis - and their eventual height. I have the perfect place in the atrium that is in perpetual shade.

Thanks for any input!

[BS Man about Palms]

I only have snarky comments and you deserve better.

[www.dadluvsu.com]

I don't have any real cold hardy info... I have tender 1-2 leafers than took our chill of 45 degrees this past winter... Probably wasn't the kind of cold info you were looking for... Did you get one from Phil's sale? How about some pics?!

Teeny Tinys!

[Scott]

Thanks for the replies!

Bill - Snarks are awlays welcome!

William - actually I did buy it at Phil's. It just grabbed me and I wanted it.

Here is a pic...

Thanks again!

[Shon]

Scott I've had one in a pot for the last year in a half in dappled light and a few nights in the 36,37 range and is stll very happy. I don't dare try the ground yet. I'm going to put it in a five soon and let it grow another year or two. Nice seeing you again.

[Scott]

Thanks Shon! I wanted to try it in my Atrium. It's pretty well protected there with constant shade. But in winter it can get cold- maybe even the high 20s. If that's too cold, I could make it a house plant, but I'd like to plant it.

It was great seeing you again too!

[Matt in SD]

The nicest ones I've seen have been in very protected situations. There's one in the botanical center in Balboa park that looks great, and I've seen a couple at Jeff Brousseau's under deep canopy looking good. BUT...the ones I've seen doing well are the stockier variety that doesn't sucker as readily, it really looks like a different palm, and I haven't seen this type available for years. I've had the ones like in your photo and they grew great in pots in my greenhouse. The one I planted died a slow death (more than 2 years from looking like yours to the spear pulling a couple weeks ago). It was in a pretty shady spot, but I think it still had too much sun, since it burned a bit and never really recovered.

Matt

[SubTropicRay]

In Florida, some damage occurs at temps slightly above freezing.

[Scott]

Thanks for the replies! I'm glad I asked because I was going to plant it but now I'm definitely going to wait if not always keep it in a pot.

Thanks very much!

[MattyB]

Yeah, I remember Dean's looking a bit disheveled at 33F. They seem to do good as a house plant. I had one growing for a couple of years in a pot, indoors. It looked good until it died. oops.

[The Germinator]

I have one in the shade with just a couple of spots where the sun shines through and it got sunburned. I will see if it adjusts with the new leaves. BTW picke it up at Johnny's.