Livistona drudei

[Jonathan]

Gyusepppe asked me the other day whether Livistona drudei (we both have small seedlings) is hardy in climates like his and mine where temperatures can go down to about 0C (32F) or a bit below each winter, but as mine are still in the greenhouse, I cant answer his question yet.

This species seems to be pretty uncommon in cultivation - Gyuseppe had heard that it wasnt hardy in Southern Europe - I'm wondering if anyone in the US has info regarding its hardiness to light frost?

Heres a pic of one in North Queensland to spark your memory!

Cheers,

Jonathan

[peachy]

My baby seedlings have gone thru 3 nights below freezing and many nights just above it, all without a blemish. However they are under cover (in the carport) so as to them being able to take a direct frost I dont know. According to David Jones its listed as suitable for tropical/subtropical and no mention of frost hardiness. I have loved this palm for many years and its thanks to Jonathan that I now have a few seedlings to try out. As with most livis, it makes a good indoor plant, so in a few years IE after I murder a couple of them, I will know that at least I can have them somewhere here.

Peachy

[JasonD]

There is a thriving Livistona drudei at the Oakland Palmetum here in California that survived the freeze of 1990, when low temperatures reached between -1C and -4.4C over five days, with little daytime recovery -- maybe up to 3-5C. Howea forsteriana was killed off, but full recovery for the Livistona drudei.

[Jonathan]

There is a thriving Livistona drudei at the Oakland Palmetum here in California that survived the freeze of 1990, when low temperatures reached between -1C and -4.4C over five days, with little daytime recovery -- maybe up to 3-5C. Howea forsteriana was killed off, but full recovery for the Livistona drudei.

Thanks Jason, thats exactly what I wanted to know.

Do you know if it was under canopy, or if it was exposed to frost?

Also how big was it at the time?

Cheers,

Jonathan

[JasonD]

I believe it was exposed to the sky. The freeze was dry and windy, so I'm not sure actual frost formed on the leaves, but the air temperature was below freezing for 8-14 hours on several days. It was brutal. Perhaps Darold Petty or Dick Douglas can weigh in on the actual condition of the plant in the period after the freeze. I did not visit the Palmetum in the aftermath as I left town for almost a year after that.

[Tyrone]

I have what I beleive to be L drudei seedlings in my shadehouse that may have seen 2 or 3C on the coldest nights we had and they're fine. Not quite cold enough to answer your question though.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Walter John]

Don't know for sure and certain Jon, but I would have thought drudei to be a tough customer in cool climates. On the other hand , Livistonas are generally very hardy anywhere.

[Keith N Tampa (ex SoJax)]

Here in FL they defoliate at about 25F (-4C). Its worth noting that we almost always have frost when temps get that low. Last winter it fell to 20F (-7C) and it was totally defoliated. It is recovering slowly but much more slowly than when the low was only 25F (-4c).

I should add, L. decora and L. nitida wern't fazed by those temperatures but L. chinensis was also virtually defoliated. L. saribus had some bronzing but fared considerably better than L. chinensis.

[Jonathan]

Here in FL they defoliate at about 25F (-4C). Its worth noting that we almost always have frost when temps get that low. Last winter it fell to 20F (-7C) and it was totally defoliated. It is recovering slowly but much more slowly than when the low was only 25F (-4c).

I should add, L. decora and L. nitida wern't fazed by those temperatures but L. chinensis was also virtually defoliated. L. saribus had some bronzing but fared considerably better than L. chinensis.

That actually sounds encouraging Keith - we never get much below 0C, and only for a few hours at a time.

I have a feeling they will be fine here, maybe with a bit of shelter while they are little.

Cheers,

Jonathan

[Jonathan]

I have what I beleive to be L drudei seedlings in my shadehouse that may have seen 2 or 3C on the coldest nights we had and they're fine. Not quite cold enough to answer your question though.

Best regards

Tyrone

The seedlings in my greenhouse have seen temps down to about 0 or 1C at least 10 times this year. They remain bright green and very healthy, and have pushed leaves all winter....however the daytime temps are coniderably higher than outside, so they do get an extra boost from that. You've gotta love Livistona!

Cheers,

Jonathan

[Tyrone]

I have what I beleive to be L drudei seedlings in my shadehouse that may have seen 2 or 3C on the coldest nights we had and they're fine. Not quite cold enough to answer your question though.

Best regards

Tyrone

The seedlings in my greenhouse have seen temps down to about 0 or 1C at least 10 times this year. They remain bright green and very healthy, and have pushed leaves all winter....however the daytime temps are coniderably higher than outside, so they do get an extra boost from that. You've gotta love Livistona!

Cheers,

Jonathan

My daytime temps at the moment in the shadehouse would be slightly cooler than outside maybe 16C and they're fine.

Best regards

Tyrone

[tikitiki]

I planted mine out as a one gallon several years ago and it has never skipped a beat. This year I had 4 nights of frost and 2 weeks of freezing and there was not a spot on it. It got frost no doubt. I hit 26f.

Tom

[gyuseppe]

jonathan in total are six ,+ two other seeds were germinated in May, but rotting , because in may it rained every day, too much moisture in the air.

in my city the minimum temperatures in winter drop to -1/-2 degrees Celsius for 2 / 3 days a year.

from what I understand the livistona drudei should withstand these temperatures. when are small, protect I in winter

(AGAIN THANKS JONATHAN)

[edbrown_III]

Gyseppe,

Good luck with the seeds,

Heres a recent photo of L. drudei-- it survived the past hard winter many nites below freezing. It typically looses foliage each year but you can see the green emerging.

Best regards

Ed