How do I protect a Mexican fan Palm

[jvblack930]

I have decided I will grow a Mexican Fan Palm, in Memphis Zone 7b and 8a. How do I protect this in winter, as I have a budget to $160. I can protect it up to 12-14 feet tall, and I want the easiest protection possible, and I am willing to buy a small vertical greenhouse for it or something. Please tell me how, and recommend products. Thank you very much.

[Allen]

Items in description on video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV3d1bg2wa0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCMNVUUPepk

 

[Allen]

You could also do below in your zone for a washy.    The other method is the foam box method which may be overkill for you.  If you use the below method make sure to have 2 layers of frost cloth over top of palm to prevent water intrusion.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25w4dg2EznY&list=PLpVDrk5W7jTev40miPmq28V9IcNwB05Zz&index=3

And when it gets big protect like @Will Simpson

 

 

Edited March 17, 2024 by Allen

[jvblack930]

3 hours ago, Allen said:

You could also do below in your zone for a washy.    The other method is the foam box method which may be overkill for you.  If you use the below method make sure to have 2 layers of frost cloth over top of palm to prevent water intrusion.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25w4dg2EznY&list=PLpVDrk5W7jTev40miPmq28V9IcNwB05Zz&index=3

And when it gets big protect like @Will Simpson

 

 

Does it need watering or anything with the protection, how does it get sunlight

[Allen]

27 minutes ago, jvblack930 said:

Does it need watering or anything with the protection, how does it get sunlight

No water, doesn't need sun in winter if kept cool

[WSimpson]

Sabal palmettos and Sabal Mexicanas are easier to protect  than Washingtonias because they don't grow so fast . So they will be manageable for many years . 

As Allen showed in a previous post on this topic , I just put incandescent Xmas lights around the trunk with spacing between light rows of about 2" - 3" apart and I start stringing them  from  the top and move down . Once at the bottom I wrap the lights with a layer of blankets . I would seal the bottom of the blankets with mulch so cold air can't get under the blankets . Leave 1 light exposed at the top and outside the top blanket so you can see that the lights are on and working . 

This method of protection will leave the fronds exposed , and they will get ugly to varying degrees depending on how cold it got ,  but the palm will survive and have a nice root system , so it should  grow  back out fast during the  warm season . 

Below is a picture of my HC Palmetto , and  we can pretend that instead of it being an HC Palmetto planted 3 seasons ago without any fronds , we can say that I had a bad winter 3 seasons ago and all the fronds were toasted  ,  and you will be able to see about how fast they can come back from complete defoliation . 

Below , you can see the lowest few fronds drooping down was from a wet  snow 3 seasons ago  , and the you can see some fronds in the middle of the palm  that have tip burn which occurred Xmas  Eve winter before last , and then you can see the perfect fronds that grew in last summer .

So with fertilizer and water they can come back fast from complete defoliation . 

Will

 

 

 

Edited March 18, 2024 by Will Simpson