Foxy lady palm

[trippc]

I came across the legendary Foxy lady palm. The hybrid Wodyetia bifurcata x Veitchia arecina. I think I am madly in love. Lol but really I've only heard amazing things from this palm and I absolutely love the looks from it. Not to mention I read that it can handle down to 25F! All this being said I did hear it was very rare to find this tree. I just want to hear other people's experience and what yall have heard. Does anyone know where they can be purchased? Or is there anyone on this forum growing the legendary tree? And lastly, is there anything similar to this tree?(outside of the foxtail)

Thanks

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, trippc said:

I came across the legendary Foxy lady palm. The hybrid Wodyetia bifurcata x Veitchia arecina. I think I am madly in love. Lol but really I've only heard amazing things from this palm and I absolutely love the looks from it. Not to mention I read that it can handle down to 25F! All this being said I did hear it was very rare to find this tree. I just want to hear other people's experience and what yall have heard. Does anyone know where they can be purchased? Or is there anyone on this forum growing the legendary tree? And lastly, is there anything similar to this tree?(outside of the foxtail)

Thanks

Unfortunately, they aren't as commonly available as they should be but, if you keep your eyes and ears open, you may luck out, especially there in FL.

If you're up to a good challenge, Kopsick Palm - Arboretum in St. Pete has a few specimens, at least one that can / has produced seed. That said, ~approx: 8 out of 10 seeds you'll see hanging on an inflo will be blanks .. = completely empty / devoid of an Embryo inside.  

Those that are good have a chance of germinating.  A few members here inc. myself have tried in the past.  Can't speak for their experiences but mine rotted just as it was starting to germinate but only because i'd started it in winter.  I have little doubt that had it been spring, or this time of year, germination likely would have succeeded.

When looking at seeds on the Kopsick specimen(s), they will have a look that falls somewhere between those off Veitchia, and those off Foxtails.  They will feel heavier than the empty seeds as well.  Bigger " seeder " at Kopsick sits close to where the collection's Veitchia grove is located.

As with any cross, offspring could resemble the parent, or vary a little. Being closer to the Veitchias than the Foxtails there, possible any offspring generated by the Foxy lady at Kopsick might veer more Veitchia -like.  My own thoughts on that only.


As far as hardiness, while they might not look quite as nice as they can in FL, they have been grown successfully in California ..roughly as far north as the Bay Area by a couple avid collectors.  Numerous nice looking specimens around S.Cal as well.

Should mention that this thread might get better attention / traffic from others w/ years of experience growing them if moved into the main section of the forum vs. here in the " cold hardy " section.

Regardless, good luck and hopefully you'll be able to get a hold of this great palm sooner rather than later..  Number 1 on my personal list of favorite feather-leaved / crown shafted palms so i completely understand the allure / desire to grow one ( ...or a few, lol )..