Finally, a baby planted out

[Dave-Vero]

This little Copernicia baileyana, from a small nursery on the Indian River in Brevard County, remained potted in the propagation shade house for a couple of years.  Now that the plastic has been put up for winter and tender plants huddled inside, this and a couple of other palms got sent out to fend for themselves.  The site has has full sun mid-day and isn't vulnerable to encroachment except from sea grapes (Coccoloba uvifera), Rhapis excelsa, and Philodendron selloum.  They are pretty easy to control.  The philodendron is sneaky, capable of enveloping nearby plants almost as effectively as the Rhapis.  Sea grape has relatively soft wood.  The area is gradually being cleared of Boston fern.  

Across the path, until January 6, is a flower bed backed by a wall of Dypsis lutescens, barely visible in the dark.  

With good fertility and irrigation, this will be an attractive juvenile within a few years.  

[Cindy Adair]

So very nice! Thanks!

[Mohsen]

18 hours ago, Dave-Vero said:

This little Copernicia baileyana, from a small nursery on the Indian River in Brevard County, remained potted in the propagation shade house for a couple of years.  Now that the plastic has been put up for winter and tender plants huddled inside, this and a couple of other palms got sent out to fend for themselves.  The site has has full sun mid-day and isn't vulnerable to encroachment except from sea grapes (Coccoloba uvifera), Rhapis excelsa, and Philodendron selloum.  They are pretty easy to control.  The philodendron is sneaky, capable of enveloping nearby plants almost as effectively as the Rhapis.  Sea grape has relatively soft wood.  The area is gradually being cleared of Boston fern.  

Across the path, until January 6, is a flower bed backed by a wall of Dypsis lutescens, barely visible in the dark.  

With good fertility and irrigation, this will be an attractive juvenile within a few years.  

Great Job David

I have a baby one too in pot, how cold hardy are they? can they survive here ( Sydney) if I put it in ground?

[Dave-Vero]

I would expect your Botanic Gardens to have C. baileyana if it will make it.  It's spectacular, so a prime candidate for planting.  Seed has apparently not been easy to get in the US.  The Heathcote one was expensive.   

My guess is that the species would thrive around Brisbane (Cuba has a strongly seasonal rain climate with dry winters) and possibly run into problems with persistent cold farther south, mostly due to slow growth during the cool months.  

In Florida, I know a C. baileyana over 20 years old in Melbourne Beach, where it would have survived temperatures around -3 to -5 C.  Also moderate hurricanes.  

[Las Palmas Norte]

Super cool ... always love the silvery blue look.

Cheers, Barrie.

[Dave-Vero]

Here's a photo of our young Copernicia with an obliging helper to provide scale.