Cyrtostachys in South Florida

[tropical1]

Just curious if the various large sealing wax specimens that were in the ground in South Florida have survived this winter. I would be particiluarly interested to know how this one on Miami Beach is doing. At the time (2007) it was the largest one I had seen in the ground.

[www.dadluvsu.com]

all mine are toast... melted toast.

[epicure3]

Just curious if the various large sealing wax specimens that were in the ground in South Florida have survived this winter. I would be particiluarly interested to know how this one on Miami Beach is doing. At the time (2007) it was the largest one I had seen in the ground.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but that looks more like an Areca vestaria than a lipstick.

[JD in the OC]

Definitely a lipstick epicure... you Californians...!

[Tyrone]

These can really suffer even in the true tropics.

Tyrone

[epicure3]

Definitely a lipstick epicure... you Californians...!

Just be happy that yu can't hear me pronounce some of the latin names of palms. I'm always being corrected.

[bubba]

I know of one private Garden here that is very protected where a large specimen suffered some yellowing but definitely survived.This is remarkable given the incredible string of 40F. and below temperatures we experienced this Winter.Will leave you with one picture of a small one in Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens after the cold:

Would love to see some of those large specimens in Ft. Lauderdale near a Church and how they fared.

[jaybo]

In West Palm Beach, about 9 miles from the coast, I had several. Some have been in the ground for over 10 years and experienced temperatures colder than this winter. But not for such a long time. All except one are completely gone. One tree has two small green suckers. Time will tell, but I am not very confident they will make it. About a month ago all palms had some green.

[epicure3]

I know Dypsis L. can come back since it's a suckering palm. Can't Cyrtostachys do the same?

[bubba]

Yes

[Jeff in St Pete]

I know Dypsis L. can come back since it's a suckering palm. Can't Cyrtostachys do the same?

They probably can, but it can be difficult to get suckers to grow once the rest of the clump dies. During last years dry season I lost a couple smaller clumps but a few small suckers survived on each one. Once the rainy season started, I thought for sure the clumps would come back. They hung in there for a while but all the suckers eventually withered away and died - even with regular rainfall. Based on my limited experience with C. renda, it seems once this palm declines it is very difficult for them to make a come back. It's best to just replace them.

[bubba]

Got to agree with Jeff.I had a really good clump of C. renda planted in Spring of 2004.Hurricane Wilma (not cold) slaughtered my clump.For the next five years new growth emanated from the old clump until this lengthy cold. They are officially toast but I know some did make itin this area as I pointed out. To me,that is suprising.

[jaybo]

Click on photos for enlarged view.

This is a photo of two large clumps that are completely fried. The one on the left was an orange variety which I was never succesful at removing any suckers.

There remains two suckers that are still green, not holding much promise. These particular suckers are abut 18" from the main plant.

This clump has two suckers as well. At least one has some size. The fallen coconut is from Hurrican Wilma.

[palmsOrl]

Anyone else in South Fl. with Cyrtostachys planted in the ground? I would have to estimate that anywhere north of roughly Marathon in the Keys saw below 40 F at least once this winter since Key West saw 42 F. The general consensus about C. renda is that it is severely damaged below about 45 F, but maybe in-ground specimens can survive brief dips into the upper 30s (though not the prolonged chill we had this winter).

-Michael

[jaybo]

Anyone else in South Fl. with Cyrtostachys planted in the ground? I would have to estimate that anywhere north of roughly Marathon in the Keys saw below 40 F at least once this winter since Key West saw 42 F. The general consensus about C. renda is that it is severely damaged below about 45 F, but maybe in-ground specimens can survive brief dips into the upper 30s (though not the prolonged chill we had this winter).

-Michael

I am not sure I agree with your 45 deg statement, although, I agree with your prolonged chill statement. For the last ten years in West Palm Beach, we typically see a couple of nights in the thirties. Two or three times I have sees some yellowing. I usually bring my potted Cyrtostachys in when the forecast bring temperatures below 40. My in-ground Cyrtostachys have experienced 30s several times, but never as often and as long as this year. We went one stretch this year where 8 out of nine nights were in the 30s. One night hit 33. Overall we probably had about 15 nights in the 30s and many more in the 40s. This has definitely been the coldest winter I have experienced in West Palm Beach. At least after the 1989 Christmas freeze, we quickly warmed up and had one of the warmest winters ever. As long as I am successful at removing suckers, I will keep trying. We had a nice 15 year stretch. It is worth the chance again.

[Manolitus]

Anyone else in South Fl. with Cyrtostachys planted in the ground? I would have to estimate that anywhere north of roughly Marathon in the Keys saw below 40 F at least once this winter since Key West saw 42 F. The general consensus about C. renda is that it is severely damaged below about 45 F, but maybe in-ground specimens can survive brief dips into the upper 30s (though not the prolonged chill we had this winter).

-Michael

I am not sure I agree with your 45 deg statement, although, I agree with your prolonged chill statement. For the last ten years in West Palm Beach, we typically see a couple of nights in the thirties. Two or three times I have sees some yellowing. I usually bring my potted Cyrtostachys in when the forecast bring temperatures below 40. My in-ground Cyrtostachys have experienced 30s several times, but never as often and as long as this year. We went one stretch this year where 8 out of nine nights were in the 30s. One night hit 33. Overall we probably had about 15 nights in the 30s and many more in the 40s. This has definitely been the coldest winter I have experienced in West Palm Beach. At least after the 1989 Christmas freeze, we quickly warmed up and had one of the warmest winters ever. As long as I am successful at removing suckers, I will keep trying. We had a nice 15 year stretch. It is worth the chance again.

I have tried RSW twice. I live in Coconut Grove about 3 blocks or so away from the Kampong. All my RSW have died anytime it has gone under 50 F. This is even with heavy treatment of fungicide during the winter.

I find it extremely hard to believe that any RSW in the ground or not would survive anything below 45 F without being completely protected in some fashion. Left alone without protection they are toast.

Bal Horbour shops in North Dade had a bunch of them in a pretty protected area. Only the ceiling of the open air mall was exposed completely. I went by last month and they were ALL gone. There were like 8 of them.

So....... I think the only place in the continental US that has even a remote chance of long term survival for them would be Key West, and I bet that some died over there this year too.

Manny

[Zeeth]

Makes me wonder why there's no palmtalkers from Key West. I'll bet they can grow stuff like RSW and Pigafetta almost without worry.

[Jeff Searle]

Anyone else in South Fl. with Cyrtostachys planted in the ground? I would have to estimate that anywhere north of roughly Marathon in the Keys saw below 40 F at least once this winter since Key West saw 42 F. The general consensus about C. renda is that it is severely damaged below about 45 F, but maybe in-ground specimens can survive brief dips into the upper 30s (though not the prolonged chill we had this winter).

-Michael

I am not sure I agree with your 45 deg statement, although, I agree with your prolonged chill statement. For the last ten years in West Palm Beach, we typically see a couple of nights in the thirties. Two or three times I have sees some yellowing. I usually bring my potted Cyrtostachys in when the forecast bring temperatures below 40. My in-ground Cyrtostachys have experienced 30s several times, but never as often and as long as this year. We went one stretch this year where 8 out of nine nights were in the 30s. One night hit 33. Overall we probably had about 15 nights in the 30s and many more in the 40s. This has definitely been the coldest winter I have experienced in West Palm Beach. At least after the 1989 Christmas freeze, we quickly warmed up and had one of the warmest winters ever. As long as I am successful at removing suckers, I will keep trying. We had a nice 15 year stretch. It is worth the chance again.

I have tried RSW twice. I live in Coconut Grove about 3 blocks or so away from the Kampong. All my RSW have died anytime it has gone under 50 F. This is even with heavy treatment of fungicide during the winter.

I find it extremely hard to believe that any RSW in the ground or not would survive anything below 45 F without being completely protected in some fashion. Left alone without protection they are toast.

Bal Horbour shops in North Dade had a bunch of them in a pretty protected area. Only the ceiling of the open air mall was exposed completely. I went by last month and they were ALL gone. There were like 8 of them.

So....... I think the only place in the continental US that has even a remote chance of long term survival for them would be Key West, and I bet that some died over there this year too.

Manny

Manny,

That's interesting that you mentioned the palms growing at the Bal Harbor Shops. I sold them these palms many,many years ago. It's a shame to hear that even their palms(knowing their location and well protected)didn't make it through this cold winter we had.

I also heard from someone that most of all Red Sealing Wax planted in at least the upper Keys from say Marathon and north did not make it. Even some further south experienced lots of damage.

[Moose]

Definitely a lipstick epicure... you Californians...!

Just be happy that yu can't hear me pronounce some of the latin names of palms. I'm always being corrected.

At least he tries instead of using all the weird California "nick names" that we here in Florida roll our eyes about.

[bubba]

Ron, You mean Sah-ball?

[paulgila]

wait a minnit,lets git something straight here:

how can a large costapalmate palm with over-lapping leaf bases & a small rodent known for its beautiful fur that is often made into coats for rich ladies be indicated by the same word?

you really expect me to believe that "SABAL" & "SABLE" are the same thing?

no sir,aint gonna do it.

[Moose]

wait a minnit,lets git something straight here:

how can a large costapalmate palm with over-lapping leaf bases & a small rodent known for its beautiful fur that is often made into coats for rich ladies be indicated by the same word?

you really expect me to believe that "SABAL" & "SABLE" are the same thing?

no sir,aint gonna do it.

A Washie is a rodent?

[paulgila]

choose 1 side of the conversation & stick with it,moosey

[Carlo Morici]

We are very happy here as our one and only Cyrtostachys renda (in the Palmetum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife) just came through the winter with flying colours. I chose the hottest spot on the hill and we built a pool of mud. Then we put a plastic shack above the palm.

Now... that IS SLOW ! ! !

[OldNed]

I live in Merritt Island FL-near Cocoa Beach. Retired in May, 2003. Lots of folks chipped in to get me this Cyrtostachys renda.

OldNed....5-foot Palm (base to tip)....YoungNed at my Retirement Party

Six years later...November 2009 9-feet tall

Broke off 4 feet on a low-hanging tree branch hauling it into garage on 1st cold day this year...Didn't think my splint would work...it didn't

Lost count of the times I put it in the garage during the "Big Freeze of 2010"..thinkin' it's toast

[MTM Palms]

I live in Ft Myers and I have 6 in the ground ranging from 5 to 45 gallon. I lost the two 45 gallon size and one 25 gallon. Two out of 4 or 5 stalks died on another two and one remained fine, just leaf damage. I had christmas bulb lights on all mine on thermo timers throughout the entire winter and then covered on the exceptional cold nights. I also used subdue, cleary's, and superthrive frequently. Anyway had I not taken the precautions I did , I feal they all would be dead, no doubt. I also have three 45 gallon in pots which were wheeled in and out of garage. They are perfect and will remain that way cause that is where they are staying!!

[Zeeth]

Why are the most beautiful and desirable palms so wimpy to cold. RSW, Pigafetta , coconuts, etc... Why can't we have a palm with the hardiness of the Butia that has something awesome about it, like a bright red crownshaft, growth rate of 7 ft of trunk a year, or being the epitome of the tropics. Genetic engineering may one day produce a RSW with the growth rate and vigor of dypsis lutescens, and cold hardiness of a Butia, but that day may likely lie farther in the future than even the youngest palmtalkers will ever see. One can dream though

[paulgila]

"desirable" is subjective.

[bubba]

Paul, I will trade you three(3)fully growed Sabals and three(3) fully growed Coconuts for one fully growed Ceroxolyn.

Old Ned, I am sorry!

[PalmatierMeg]

All of mine (4 potted) spent pretty much all of Jan., most of Feb. and some nights in March indoors. Otherwise, they'd all be high-priced mulch. Kind of like most or all of my Arecas, Hydriasteles, Heterospathes, Rhopaloblastes, etc.

[Peter Pacific]

Hi Meg, after seeing your home and garden it kills me to hear of your damage. Thank God you were able to save your lipsticks! Good luck, Peter

[Tilto]

I have two RSW in Davie,Fl around 5ft tall that did just fine,I took no special precautions other than planting them in a very protected location (no exposure to NW winds and right against the house)They had a few leaf spots but they appear to be fine.My Pigaftta planted in the same location croaked once we hit the 30's

[paulgila]

Paul, I will trade you three(3)fully growed Sabals and three(3) fully growed Coconuts for one fully growed Ceroxolyn.

Old Ned, I am sorry!

hmmmm thats a good deal,but will you take 2 washies for the 1 ceroxylon?

[epicure3]

Ok, it's killing me, what is an RSW????

[palmsOrl]

It's the acronym for the other common name for Cyrtostachys renda, "Red Sealing wax".

-Michael

[epicure3]

It's the acronym for the other common name for Cyrtostachys renda, "Red Sealing wax".

-Michael

Thanks. I feel better now.

[jaybo]

Anyone else in South Fl. with Cyrtostachys planted in the ground? I would have to estimate that anywhere north of roughly Marathon in the Keys saw below 40 F at least once this winter since Key West saw 42 F. The general consensus about C. renda is that it is severely damaged below about 45 F, but maybe in-ground specimens can survive brief dips into the upper 30s (though not the prolonged chill we had this winter).

-Michael

I am not sure I agree with your 45 deg statement, although, I agree with your prolonged chill statement. For the last ten years in West Palm Beach, we typically see a couple of nights in the thirties. Two or three times I have sees some yellowing. I usually bring my potted Cyrtostachys in when the forecast bring temperatures below 40. My in-ground Cyrtostachys have experienced 30s several times, but never as often and as long as this year. We went one stretch this year where 8 out of nine nights were in the 30s. One night hit 33. Overall we probably had about 15 nights in the 30s and many more in the 40s. This has definitely been the coldest winter I have experienced in West Palm Beach. At least after the 1989 Christmas freeze, we quickly warmed up and had one of the warmest winters ever. As long as I am successful at removing suckers, I will keep trying. We had a nice 15 year stretch. It is worth the chance again.

Well I am glad I did not replant this year as I earlier indicate I would. We may have gone 15 years in West Palm Beach with successfully growing Cyrtostachys outdoors, but this would have been the second consecutive season wiping these palms out. My Latania and Elaeis were just stating to show good growth after last year's spell and the record cold returned again. I am glad my Cyrtostachys are inside this year instead of my garden.

[bubba]

Jaybo, I remember your Posts of those huge RS Waxers and it is truly unfortunate. I think Jeff and Ron's comments were made before they did that South Florida Palm Society Tour in April(?) 0f 2010. Look it up. Besides huge, healthy RSW, it had to be some of the most spectacular tropical Palms and plants I have ever seen.

[mike-coral gables]

Just back from Singapore Botanic Gardens and saw these beauties......one can only dream.....

[Jeff Searle]

Makes me wonder why there's no palmtalkers from Key West. I'll bet they can grow stuff like RSW and Pigafetta almost without worry.

I don't know of any Pigaffetas down in Key West, but everything from Red Sealing Wax to Pelagodoxa, to 8-10' Bactris militaris and others are there. You just have to know where to look.