Trachycarpus latisectus growth rate?

[sashaeffer]

Did a search here on this species and most if not all threads are about cold hardiness.  Thinking about getting one of these but ones available that can be shipped are usually 1 gallon size so was curious if anyone here could report on the speed of growth on this species of Trachycarpus.  I know GOOGLE research of culture of this palm says "fast" but more curious what members here have experienced with this palm, especially when kept potted. Seems like this is the least cold hardy of the species so won't plant mine in the ground to protect.

 

Scott/Omaha

[Hammer]

Scott, check it out on Palmpedia.  Geoff Stein has a picture of one and then one 2 years later.  Maybe that will be helpful?  

Here's the link...

http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Trachycarpus_latisectus

 

[sashaeffer]

I do value Geoff's reports on palms. Usually I catch them on the Dave's Garden page(palmbob) but again, look also to other members here that might have more personal experience. I did order one though. Spring is almost here and this warm spell we are having is making it hard not to buy more palms

[Matt N- Dallas]

In my experience w/ latisectus growing in Texas- they are very slow compared to fortunei.  Also slower than princeps, nova and martianus.  

[sashaeffer]

13 minutes ago, Matt N- Dallas said:

In my experience w/ latisectus growing in Texas- they are very slow compared to fortunei.  Also slower than princeps, nova and martianus.  

Thanks.  Needless to say mine when I get it will always be a potted one since their cold hardiness isn't that great but from pics I've seen they seem to be very ornamental.

 

Is yours potted? or in the ground?

[Matt N- Dallas]

It's in the ground.  It is ornamental but experiences defoliation around 20* depending on cold duration. 

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

So far 1 year old seedlings are slower than fortunei but faster than Princeps, and much slower than Nova.  Princeps is the slowest Trachy that I have ever grown.

[Ben in Norcal]

My experience has been slower than fortunei, but faster than martianus/princeps.  Closer to the former than the latter.

[_Keith]

Mine is not setting the world on fire, for sure.

[sashaeffer]

Thanks for the replies, guess I won't worry about it ever  outgrowing my house!

[Jimhardy]

They do speed up as they gain some size...

[Hillizard]

My Trachycarpus latisectus grew well but slowly (as usual) during the relatively mild winter we had here in interior NorCal, showing no major frost damage. This palm gets some protection from the overhead tree canopy. Its deep green, flexible fronds have an almost tropical look to them that I really enjoy.

[Jimhardy]

My small one puts out 3-4 leaves per year....lots of rain this year so maybe more.

 

IME T.Nanus and T.Geminisectus are the slowest.

[LivistonaFan]

How drought-tolerant are T. latisectus? Anyone e.g. in California growing these on a rather xeric water regimen? I have a few of them in tree pots. Unfortunately they don't seem to have a big root system (compared to a similar sized Paurotis Palm) and I wonder if they would survive in a rather cool Mediterranean climate without irrigation?

 

 

[Vic]

I’ve found it to be a reasonable grower. In cool temperate south east U.K. I get around 8-10 leaves a year. Mine has over 6ft of trunk now and can’t be far off flowering size I’d guess. 

[Jimhardy]

Hey Trachyhead

If you see this....what temps did your Latty defoliate at?

Also,at what temp do these bite it- in as far as a cold night goes?

 

I read that small ones can defoliate at 27F...mine is pretty small(not little)

and saw 26F the other night and looks fine- wait, let me confirm that...yep,its fine.

[Vic]

14 minutes ago, Jimhardy said:

Hey Trachyhead

If you see this....what temps did your Latty defoliate at?

Also,at what temp do these bite it- in as far as a cold night goes?

 

I read that small ones can defoliate at 27F...mine is pretty small(not little)

and saw 26F the other night and looks fine- wait, let me confirm that...yep,its fine.

Jim you make me smile and are the only one who will remember trachyhead from about 17 years ago. 
 

My TL is a good size now and I would say it’s as tough as they get. It starts to get burnt leaves around -5c but emerging spears take quite a bit more. In 2018 it saw -10c unprotected and 90% of leaves were totally burnt, but spears were fine and none of them pulled. 1 leaf that was upright and newly opened was not totally burnt either. 
 

These palms are tougher than the books will have you know!

[Jimhardy]

Thats good to hear.   Thanks Vic!

 

The good old days over on Gardenweb forum 

 

I remember there was a guy called Lzrddoc that had a huge green Princeps and some 

other cool stuff like a large Latty....they are pretty palms as they get bigger, very unique trunk.