Butia yatay x Syagrus romanzoffiana vs. Butia capitata x Syagrus romanzoffiana

[annafl]

I still consider myself somewhat of a palm novice.  I'd like to get a mule palm, but although I've seen bits and pieces of comments from searches here, I don't have a good grasp on which of these is the most desirable to get, and also, where to get one.  I have seen picture's of Keith's yatay mule and think it's gorgeous, but it's difficult to compare the two types from photos of different sizes, locations, etc.  I'd love any feedback you can provide.  Thanks!

[Ben in Norcal]

28 minutes ago, annafl said:

I still consider myself somewhat of a palm novice.  I'd like to get a mule palm, but although I've seen bits and pieces of comments from searches here, I don't have a good grasp on which of these is the most desirable to get, and also, where to get one.  I have seen picture's of Keith's yatay mule and think it's gorgeous, but it's difficult to compare the two types from photos of different sizes, locations, etc.  I'd love any feedback you can provide.  Thanks!

The yatay mule is rarer, and more attractive to my eye.  I have both (much smaller than Keith's) and I like the fact that the yatay mule has green boots.  It looks a bit more tropical to me.  No discernible difference in culture, growth rate, etc.

[topwater]

I agree, I think the yatay cross is a little more elegant, but I'm not very knowledgeable about hybrids, whereas Ben probably has as many as anyone. I just got my first hybrids, 2 (jxb)xs, last month. So far, so good.  

[annafl]

2 hours ago, Ben in Norcal said:

 

2 hours ago, Ben in Norcal said:

The yatay mule is rarer, and more attractive to my eye.  I have both (much smaller than Keith's) and I like the fact that the yatay mule has green boots.  It looks a bit more tropical to me.  No discernible difference in culture, growth rate, etc.

Thanks for your thoughts, Ben, and your experience.  Now, would you be willing to share or PM me where you got yours?  I'm interested in a smallish one right now.

 

1 hour ago, topwater said:

I agree, I think the yatay cross is a little more elegant, but I'm not very knowledgeable about hybrids, whereas Ben probably has as many as anyone. I just got my first hybrids, 2 (jxb)xs, last month. So far, so good.  

Nice, Don.  How did you decide on that particular hybrid?  I know cold tolerance had a lot to do with it, but were there other factors?  Had you seen it before?  I don't know where Texas City is, but it must be near the southern tip of TX on the gulf?  I see hibiscus and Aechmea blanchetianas! 

[Ben in Norcal]

15 minutes ago, annafl said:

Thanks for your thoughts, Ben, and your experience.  Now, would you be willing to share or PM me where you got yours?  I'm interested in a smallish one right now.

PM sent.

[topwater]

TC is on the upper coast by Galveston, 9b.  I occasionally lose a hibiscus to cold but they grow so fast that it's no biggie. My hybrid choice was made largely on availability, it was jbs or butiagrus.   IMHO, jbs is a little prettier but I hear mules are faster, so there's a trade off. Ultimately, I'd like to get a couple of mules for my backyard, but jbs was harder to find so I jumped on it when I had the chance! 

Edited June 5, 2017 by topwater

[Laaz]

This is my Patric Yatay x queen. I got it as a strap leaf a year ago last Nov. It is now 4 ft to top of leaves...

 

[annafl]

5 hours ago, topwater said:

TC is on the upper coast by Galveston, 9b.  I occasionally lose a hibiscus to cold but they grow so fast that it's no biggie. My hybrid choice was made largely on availability, it was jbs or butiagrus.   IMHO, jbs is a little prettier but I hear mules are faster, so there's a trade off. Ultimately, I'd like to get a couple of mules for my backyard, but jbs was harder to find so I jumped on it when I had the chance! 

Sounds good.  I'm amazed hibiscus fare pretty well there.  Didn't realize it was 9b- that's great!

 

3 hours ago, Laaz said:

This is my Patric Yatay x queen. I got it as a strap leaf a year ago last Nov. It is now 4 ft to top of leaves...

 

Wow, it's a beauty, and seems to be a pretty fast grower?  Yours almost looks a little silvery.  I was under the impression they were green.  Thanks for posting the photo!

[topwater]

On 6/5/2017, 2:25:16, annafl said:

Sounds good.  I'm amazed hibiscus fare pretty well there.  Didn't realize it was 9b- that's great!

 

Wow, it's a beauty, and seems to be a pretty fast grower?  Yours almost looks a little silvery.  I was under the impression they were green.  Thanks for posting the photo!

Good eye.  Can you ID the bromeliad in front of the two Aechmea, I have no clue, but it's a stunner, I'll send more pics if need be.  And yes, hibiscus do grow in TX! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tom in Tucson]

On 6/5/2017, 8:46:09, Laaz said:

This is my Patric Yatay x queen. I got it as a strap leaf a year ago last Nov. It is now 4 ft to top of leaves...

 

Looking good! Are you using a used piece of tissue paper (Kleenex) for scale?

Tom Birt - Casas Adobes, AZ

Hi 105°, Lo 66°

[Laaz]

Lol! That's conch shell.

 

 

Edited June 11, 2017 by Laaz

[annafl]

12 hours ago, topwater said:

Good eye.  Can you ID the bromeliad in front of the two Aechmea, I have no clue, but it's a stunner, I'll send more pics if need be.  And yes, hibiscus do grow in TX! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't see it well enough, but I probably wouldn't be able to ID it anyway.  I'm not a big bromeliad person, just know a  few.  Beautiful garden, though!  I know that!

[topwater]

4 hours ago, Laaz said:

Lol! That's conch shell.

 

 

Cool!  I'm stealing that idea, I'll give you full credit if anyone asks.  

Edited June 11, 2017 by topwater

[topwater]

3 hours ago, annafl said:

I can't see it well enough, but I probably wouldn't be able to ID it anyway.  I'm not a big bromeliad person, just know a  few.  Beautiful garden, though!  I know that!

I'll post a pic on the non-palm tropicals to avoid a thread hijack. 

[Laaz]

37 minutes ago, topwater said:

Cool!  I'm stealing that idea, I'll give you full credit if anyone asks.  

My wife picks them up at the beach all the time. She's gotten a few that she didn't know there were hermit crabs inside... I'm sitting there drinking a beer & the shell starts walking away...

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

From what I have seen Odorata is the most cold hardy butia and should produce a more cold tolerant mule.  From what I saw this year my yatay mules spear pulled really bad while most of my odorata mules suffered mild "funky spear".  Butia x PJC spear pulled just as bad as the yatay mule but Butia x PJS was perfect. Arenga engleri and a decent sized Cocothrinax crinta beside them died outright.

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

Odorata is a few degrees leaf hardy than Butia Catarinensis BTW.  I don't have mature yatay or eriospatha but the small ones suggest they are several degrees less cold hardy than catarinensis.