Is This a FoxTail / Wodyetia ?

[greekpalm]

I have this palm for 3 years now, it said wofyetia on the label, and i looks like one to me as well. But i would like your opinion guys. So what do you think ?

Also, for some reason it got i a very bad shape last winter (and it wasnt the coldest/coolest one), do you know why?

[greekpalm]

(pictures are shown chronologically)

so, yeah basically , two questions :-)

Edited August 13, 2013 by greekpalm

[MattyB]

Yes, it's 100% a Wodyetia bifurcata (Foxtail Palm), I can confirm by the seed in the first pic. It looks like something went real wrong in that pot like the roots were rotting or there was fertilizer or salt burn, but it looks a lot better now that it's in the ground. Be careful with those trays underneath your pots because it can hold too much water and also cause salt build up. You really want to be watering pots so that the water flows through the drain holes so you're flushing them out everytime.

[Mike in Nelson]

The first pics almost look Caryota.

[greekpalm]

from what I know ( I might be mistaken) the seed doesnt really look like a Caryota.

[Cedric]

Yes it's Wodyetia the one and only. These are not imo at all marginal they don't like it cold and wet or cold full stop, about the same as Roystonia so not much under 10%c for very short periods and preferably on the dry side for Wodyetia in winter. Athens might just be too cold and wet in autumn and winter for this one, its got that stunted chilled look ):

[greekpalm]

I think Roystonea (regia) is more cold hardy in Athens and similar climates

[Cedric]

Thats interesting I've never seen Roystonia in Greece do they grow in Athens? If they do there is certainly chances for the Wodyetia with a little protection.

[greekpalm]

I started a thread about a roystonea regia that has been growing in athens for a while now

http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/37602-pictures-of-a-roystonea-regia-in-athens-greece/

[Cedric]

Oh yea it looks ok, it's like the elusive coconut in California. Not sure how well it will look after a light sprinkle of snow but it certainly looks to be a tryer.

[paulgila]

[paulgila]

big seed = wodyetia.

[Phoenikakias]

Manos,Wodyetia is unfortunately a no goer here!

[greekpalm]

yeah, i thought the same thing, but this one survived 3 winters, and im planning on protecting it the once every 10 year cold winter... and yeah if it dies, i dont mind i have many other seedlings that would be more than happy to take its place...

i wanted to try a foxy lady, but thats a very difficult one to find in europe

[Phoenikakias]

Roystonea on the other hand is another story. It grows really fast here and is not fussy at all regarding soil requirements. Even if it gets hammered during an exceptionally cold winter, it has the capability and we have the potential of full recovery within max two years. Only problem is that there are no trunking specimens available here, which have most chances of survival. For other marginal specimens I suggest you raise them first to a respectable size in a cold frame before outplanting.And a last advice, the slightest winter protection for marginal plants here makes enormous difference anyway, the grow double and tripple the speed the following summer.

Edited August 16, 2013 by Phoenikakias

[greekpalm]

if i would have left my foxtail in the pot I'm quite sure it would have died (I'm still not sure about the reasons, so if anyone could help that would be great). so I planted it outside...

There will be protection untill it reaches a size (if it survives :-P ) and from then on it will get protection only for the once a decade cold winters.

Btw I have some Roystonea regias and Archontophoenix cunninghamia. From what size do you think i will be able to plant them outside?

[Phoenikakias]

if i would have left my foxtail in the pot I'm quite sure it would have died (I'm still not sure about the reasons, so if anyone could help that would be great). so I planted it outside...

There will be protection untill it reaches a size (if it survives :-P ) and from then on it will get protection only for the once a decade cold winters.

Btw I have some Roystonea regias and Archontophoenix cunninghamia. From what size do you think i will be able to plant them outside?

You will never be sure about the reasons... Either beause of salt accumulation (as Matty B has pointed out) and/or gradual alkalinization and decomposition of organic soil (blame it to our tap water), or because of a combination of unfavorable weather conditions (cold and wet at once), or because roots have reached pot's walls and therefore been no longer protected by soil. Who knows... I have lost several Wodyetia plants, the last and biggest one (bought from Tani) inside my cold frame during a cold spell (2004 or 2008 not sure). Roystonea should be outplanted just prior to trunk forming but by then it would be a tall plant hardly to be accomodated in any conventional cold frame. Archontophoenix has a more balanced growth. Once i changed pot soil of a small Wodyetia having used chestnut dirt mixed to almost equal parts with crushed to grit granite and after this plant exploded in growth until organic soil decomposed...

[greekpalm]

well the first two options seem more likely, the roots didnt reach the pots walls, and it was more protected last winter. So i will conclude it was a accumulation of salt or alkalinization.

Thanks about the info on roystonea and archontophoenix :-)

Tani doesnt import any "rare" palms anymore, right ?

[Phoenikakias]

I am afraid not! Vaiopulos has suffered many losses during cold spells of 04 and 08, so he has stopped investing on imports of sensitive palms from Italy.