Jubaea Chilensis - spear pull

[The Converted]

Evening all

I was hoping someone might be able to provide some reassurance...

I have a small, 5 year old JC.  It was left out for much of the winter,  albeit,  undercover.  On a couple of really cold (-9) nights it was moved into the conservatory.  A couple of months ago I noticed that last years spears (which were still emerging) were starting to brown.  I thought I would give them a gentle pull, and unfortunately they both pull straight out.  I suspect the cold got to it given we had several weeks where even day time temps barely got above freezing.  After my initial panic / disappointment I order some Hydrogen Peroxide and treated the growing point every couple of weeks over the first month. 

2 Months on....

Other than the odd sunny / warm day I have kept it in the conservatory to make sure it doesn't get wet. 

It still looks healthy and the remaining fronds are all firm.  I've reported it and the roots look healthy, and it's also had it's first feed of the year.  But, there is no sign whatsoever of any new growth / spears (I've been using a blunt ended cocktail stick to measure the depth of the growing point).  

Given how hard it is to source a sensibly sized JC in the UK I'm hoping it pulls through! 

Thanks everyone. 

 

[Banana Belt]

-9 Centegrade is pretty cold for a young Jubaea.  Spear pull is not a good sign because unfornately Jubaea do not seem to sucker or branch out and have only one bud at the top.  But who knows strange things can happen and just in case you might as well keep it around for the rest of the season.  Don't be too sad as you are not alone.

[SeanK]

Given the slow rate of normal growth, a new spear may be forthcoming in October. Next winter it will have to stay indoors.

[The Converted]

Evening 

Thank you for your replies.  

It's frustrating that out of all my palms, it had to be the one that is hardest to source, that spear pulled.  I never thought I would be so affected by a plant! 

Hopefully it'll show some signs of recovery soon! It will definitely be a winter house plant from October.....

[Jeff zone 8 N.C.]

  On 4/21/2023 at 6:53 PM, The Converted said:

Evening 

Thank you for your replies.  

It's frustrating that out of all my palms, it had to be the one that is hardest to source, that spear pulled.  I never thought I would be so affected by a plant! 

Hopefully it'll show some signs of recovery soon! It will definitely be a winter house plant from October.....

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I know your disappointment. I have always thought that when treating with Hydrogen peroxide you need to dry the spear cavity out after a couple of hours. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down to water. Water is what caused the spear rot in the 1st place. you may be able to tilt the palm over to pour any left over water out or you can try to push a paper towel down the hole to absorb it. 

[Scott]

Hi I was wondering did your JC survive or grow some? I live in a zone 8a/b and really want to try one but am doing research to get the best start possible.

[Banana Belt]

  On 2/22/2025 at 10:47 PM, Scott said:

Hi I was wondering did your JC survive or grow some? I live in a zone 8a/b and really want to try one but am doing resear15 h to get the best start possible.

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There are several Jubaea in the Salem area of Oregon, pictures and comments were posted on Palm Talk couple years ago.  The older and larger a Jubaea gets, the hardier they become.  Should you want to grow a Jubaea in 8a/b, it should be protected during days of sub freezing weather especially if very young.  Once a Jubaea gets to 15 years it starts growing faster and becomes increasingly cold resistant.  At trunk growing age, 26 to 30 years old it becomes very hardy.

[Scott]

  On 2/26/2025 at 12:17 AM, Banana Belt said:

There are several Jubaea in the Salem area of Oregon, pictures and comments were posted on Palm Talk couple years ago.  The older and larger a Jubaea gets, the hardier they become.  Should you want to grow a Jubaea in 8a/b, it should be protected during days of sub freezing weather especially if very young.  Once a Jubaea gets to 15 years it starts growing faster and becomes increasingly cold resistant.  At trunk growing age, 26 to 30 years old it becomes very hardy.

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Thank you for your reply, I'm visiting Palm Springs next week (driving from Medford area), and I'm hoping to pick up some palms to bring home. I'm hoping to find some liners. I would love to get 2 Jubaeas and an Nannorrhops Ritchiana. They'll be in pots for sure, under an overhand in full winter sun. Tho eventually the Jubaea will have to go into the ground, Hopefully I have some time to figure out some protection when it does.

[Banana Belt]

 @Scott  There also several Jubaea near Roseburg that are over 30 years old.  Only concern about growing Jubaea in the Rogue Valley is summer heat.  Many have said Jubaea don't do well in high heat, however there are several huge tall old Jubaea growing in Vacaville, California, which has hot summers.    https://palmislandnursery.com/

[The Converted]

  On 2/22/2025 at 10:47 PM, Scott said:

Hi I was wondering did your JC survive or grow some? I live in a zone 8a/b and really want to try one but am doing research to get the best start possible.

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Hi Scott

It has indeed, although I'm very conscious that any damage might not present until later in the spring.  

I haven't protected any of my palms this year.  I have a Brahea Armata and 2 strap leaf Butia O x JC F2 that I've kept in the conservatory, but everything else has been tucked down the side of the house, where they're less exposed to the cold. 

I'm in a low lying area in the SE of England.  This winter hasn't been too bad, we've had quite a few cold / frosty nights, however the lowest it has got down to is -4 degrees C.  We haven't had any snow, but we have had plenty of rain to compensate....

The last week or so has been much brighter, and although frosty at night the day time temps have been creeping upwards to 10 - 12 degrees C.  There's no signs of growth yet, but I'm hoping things start to pick up over the coming weeks. 

JC are fantastic palms, but grow very slowly in a pot! 

 

 

[Scott]

  On 2/27/2025 at 12:52 AM, Banana Belt said:

 @Scott  There also several Jubaea near Roseburg that are over 30 years old.  Only concern about growing Jubaea in the Rogue Valley is summer heat.  Many have said Jubaea don't do well in high heat, however there are several huge tall old Jubaea growing in Vacaville, California, which has hot summers.    https://palmislandnursery.com/

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Hi I got back from my trip to Palm Springs - a long drive from the Rogue Valley  I couldn't find any Jubaea's for sale. In fact all I did get was 10 Washingtonia Filifera liners for $3 each. and 3 Yucca Rostratas. The Washies are sitting by a south facing window in the kitchen while I figure out what to do with them. I didn't plan on those

[Scott]

  On 3/1/2025 at 6:12 PM, The Converted said:

Hi Scott

It has indeed, although I'm very conscious that any damage might not present until later in the spring.  

I haven't protected any of my palms this year.  I have a Brahea Armata and 2 strap leaf Butia O x JC F2 that I've kept in the conservatory, but everything else has been tucked down the side of the house, where they're less exposed to the cold. 

I'm in a low lying area in the SE of England.  This winter hasn't been too bad, we've had quite a few cold / frosty nights, however the lowest it has got down to is -4 degrees C.  We haven't had any snow, but we have had plenty of rain to compensate....

The last week or so has been much brighter, and although frosty at night the day time temps have been creeping upwards to 10 - 12 degrees C.  There's no signs of growth yet, but I'm hoping things start to pick up over the coming weeks. 

JC are fantastic palms, but grow very slowly in a pot! 

 

 

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Thank you, that's good to know. are you a zone 8? I think your winters can be similar, but our summers can be brutal. We did have a heavy snow a few weeks ago which took everybody by surprise

 

[Banana Belt]

  On 3/8/2025 at 12:15 AM, Scott said:

 I couldn't find any Jubaea's for sale

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Palm Springs is really hot and dry during summer, so not surprising there were no Jubaea for sale.  Palm Island nursery in Vacaville, CA has Jubaea, but only some big ones 24" box at $650 each, really expensive.  Their big ones in 60" box is crazy expensive $10,000 to $16,000.  

This summer I am going to try and sprout some of the nuts that come from off my Jubaea.  If I get some to sprout I will let you know.