Palm Sunday

I've been growing a few palms for a while, nothing too tender but I have a T. Waggie that has been flowering for years but never any seed, also a couple of T. fortunei that flower.

Same problem, all female plants, any way this bloke has come on the scene, a seed grown plant from about 12 yrs ago, flowering first time and its a male, only one flowering spike this year though, so he has lots to do.


So I've been wandering around today with a long pole with a paintbrush taped to the end, hoping to pollinate the female plants, dont trust the wind to do it
The T. Waggie.


The other two T. fortunei.
First one with a pot grown Washingtonia in front.

Second one on the allotment.


As a sideline the Butia capitata came through the March freeze unscathed


Chamy doing ok as usual after its hard cut back this spring, it was taking up too much room, to the left is another Washingtonia that was damaged but growing away now.

 

Fantastic collection Pete

T. fortunei is as exotic as we can get away with here. 2010 killed of the Washingtonia in the garage (to be fair the beer in there was like slush puppies as well) and my Dicksonia carked it over the winter of 2012/13 even though it was wrapped up and planted as close against the house in a corner as I dared.

 

Have you tried a Chamaerops @longk nearly as hardy as Trachy I find, once established, mine has taken a couple of minus 12C without any damage.

 

Great looking palms.

 

Hi @pete - very impressive - I didn't think Butia would survive outside! I grow Trachy fortunii in feezing rural Notts, and it is thriving, but I wouldn't try anything else. Are you expecting edible fruit or just trying for seeds? I'd love to grow dates for the fruit

 

I dont think Trachy seeds are edible, Phoenix dactylifera pretty much too tender to grow outside in the UK I would say.
Mainly would just like some viable seeds after all these years.
A hybrid T. wagnerianus x fortunei might be interesting.

The Butia capitata has been there for at least 8 yrs.

 

The next palm that I buy and plant will be in the Canaries after I retire! Mind you, then I'll probably be trying to grow stuff like foxgloves just because they shouldn't grow there

 

Yeah, not much fun growing palms in the Canaries, I mean, who would notice.

 

My Waggie has a long way to go then!!!! @pete


My Butia is way behind yours too but only planted 5 years ago and north facing so it doesn't get full sun till late morning. No problem with Chamaerops either, taken -7c but I lost my Washy this winter.

 

They look very healthy Strongy.
You did well to keep the red cordyline.

 

That one is sunrise and I tied it in when we had the two short freezing spells but it has suffered a bit.

 

Well done pete. A fantastic collection

They're something I would probably get away with here as we only get around 2 or 3 frosts a year but I just don't have the room for them.

 

Forget me nots