Veitchia Joannis in the RGV

[Little Tex]

Thank you  @Johnny Palmseed for the seeds, everything germinated fine execpt the howea and the Dictyosperma (howea rotted and Dictyosperma shrivled

but I was wondering if Veitchia could grow in 9b Rio Grande City, or McAllen? If not can they grow in Port St. Lucie FL?

Thanks all

and wow these grow super fast

I recived them in the middle of june

[Xenon]

Yes, not forever but for a while if winter cooperates. Several have existed in the area at some point in the past along with palms of similar hardiness like Adonidia. You will have the best chance if you're close to or south of town and against some kind of south facing structure. 

[PalmatierMeg]

Cold sensitivity is a Veitchia’s Achilles heel. A full grown Veitchia can take down to freezing if: 1) that low lasts only an hour or two, 2) after sunrise the temperature rebounds quickly to the upper 60s/70s or higher, 3) the sun shines and no rain falls, 4) the cold spell is short lived so temps revert to mid 70s/50s or higher and stays there long term.  In other words, a few serious drops in temp over the course of a winter might be survivable but regular plunges at/near freezing are not. Winter highs should stay in the mid-70s or higher. Below that the palm may not be able to photosynthesize enough to keep it alive through winter. Winter rain is usually lethal.

The above info applies to larger palms. Veitchia seedlings should be brought indoors if temps fall below 45F. So, don’t plant them until they have some size and are pinnate. Veitchias are rated zone 10/11; 9a and certainly 9b are likely too cold for them. Of course, if you plan to treat them as potential annuals that’s another matter.

[idontknowhatnametuse]

You should also try Ptychosperma Elegans, they have quite some cold hardiness.

[Than]

14 hours ago, idontknowhatnametuse said:

You should also try Ptychosperma Elegans, they have quite some cold hardiness.

That's a stunning palm. Can it survive winters?

[idontknowhatnametuse]

1 hour ago, ego said:

That's a stunning palm. Can it survive winters?

Yes there was a healthy group of them in South Padre Island and they were fruiting

[idontknowhatnametuse]

1 hour ago, ego said:

That's a stunning palm. Can it survive winters?

I think it was in south padre island, not sure but it is definitely in Texas

photo was taken by @Xenon

[Than]

30 minutes ago, idontknowhatnametuse said:

Yes there was a healthy group of them in South Padre Island and they were fruiting

Just checked weather data for South Padre. It has very mild winters, with average lows of 54 F in January, almost same as our average highs here. Our average lows are only 45F. Not sure if it will make it.. Shame, it is such an elegant species.

[Xenon]

1 hour ago, idontknowhatnametuse said:

I think it was in south padre island, not sure but it is definitely in Texas

photo was taken by @Xenon

That was in Brownsville, at the UTRGV campus. Ptychosperma elegans wasn't extremely rare prior to the 2021 freeze, you could see them here and there in the RGV, including McAllen and Mission. They are already being replanted to an extent..

As far as crownshaft palms go, many royals and foxtails can still be found in the warmer parts of RGV. Archontophoenix as well, though it's a rare palm in the area. Occasional Dypsis lutescens and Hyophorbe in protected spots. Collectors may have some other stuff. I heard there is a surviving Veitchia on SPI, @Austinpalmcan confirm if that's still the case. 

Edited October 27, 2022 by Xenon

[Xenon]

4 minutes ago, Xenon said:

 

 

Edited October 27, 2022 by Xenon

[idontknowhatnametuse]

40 minutes ago, ego said:

Just checked weather data for South Padre. It has very mild winters, with average lows of 54 F in January, almost same as our average highs here. Our average lows are only 45F. Not sure if it will make it.. Shame, it is such an elegant species.

I think you should try with one. There's always hope.

[idontknowhatnametuse]

41 minutes ago, ego said:

Just checked weather data for South Padre. It has very mild winters, with average lows of 54 F in January, almost same as our average highs here. Our average lows are only 45F. Not sure if it will make it.. Shame, it is such an elegant species.

I've seen Adonidia survive here at lower temperatures. Ptychosperma will most likely do for you.

[Austinpalm]

On 10/27/2022 at 9:40 AM, Xenon said:

That was in Brownsville, at the UTRGV campus. Ptychosperma elegans wasn't extremely rare prior to the 2021 freeze, you could see them here and there in the RGV, including McAllen and Mission. They are already being replanted to an extent..

As far as crownshaft palms go, many royals and foxtails can still be found in the warmer parts of RGV. Archontophoenix as well, though it's a rare palm in the area. Occasional Dypsis lutescens and Hyophorbe in protected spots. Collectors may have some other stuff. I heard there is a surviving Veitchia on SPI, @Austinpalmcan confirm if that's still the case. 

The Veitchia died about a month ago.  Not totally sure it was due to the freeze as it never seemed to get any care from the owner.   But was nice and green one day and brown very quickly the next week.