Phoenix Canariensis

I've just bought a Phoenix Canariensis. I plan to put it in a large terracota pot. Will it need protection in winter? I live in SW France and we had temperatures down to -8c last winter. Will protection with fleece be sufficient or should I move it to a sheltered area?

 

I live in Scotland, and mine have been out of doors unprotecte all winter.... albeit with a bit of fleece ready for the worst of weathers, but they're ok....

I'd say the same for you - have the protection ready, but you may not need it.

 

I am with Dendy - it is not hardy, but as long as your able to protect it with fleece or hessian when the temperatures drop much below freezing should be fine. Or as I did container grow it, and move into shelter in the worst weather.

 

I obviously don't need mine "fleeced" and thrown in jail, and I know Mona-Lisa in the South of France doesn't cover hers.

I must look up all you French residents and look at your locations.

I think Bananaman has one (????) and Pete (????) and strongy (????) so they may be able to advise further.

 

Tweezers I lost mine a couple of years back it rotted at the center,I think if you try to protect the crown by folding the fronds to the center it would probably help

 

Thanks all!

 

Just to add, I had a large canary date palm that was about fifteen yrs old, die, outside in its first winter, it rotted in the centre just as walnuts did.
I'm not a great fan of tying leaves together in winter to keep out the frost as it also holds the dampness. I think it can work if you are prepared to tie it up during cold snaps and untie when mild.
I do wonder if the source of the seed or plant has any affect on hardyness, as many sold in the UK now do seem to be hardier than previously. I dont think it can all be put down to global warming.
Minus 8C, I would think could be a killer if it was prolonged for more than a couple of hours in one night.I think the main thing is that the temperature should rise well above freezing for most of the daylight hours.

 

I've only had mine three years but it is outside and taken a few nights of -5c with no ill effect but a smaller plant may not come through a prolonged spell of extreme cold.
As we have not had a severe winter for many years (I mean frozen ground for weeks) many of these palms are thriving but they could all be killed off in one winter. I don't really look on mine as permanent and just enjoy them while I can as some are less hardy than the Phoenix, that is being realistic not pessimistic.

 

No protection. It has enough external leaves to protect the crown. If it is mentally cold, like mentally cold, I bung on some large tree fern fronds or toss a fleece over the top. I really don't like tying plants because of rotting, and largely its not needed.

Stu.

Mine, I have loads ! Ignore the Washy from a previous post, you can see the canaries ! Also have them in the more exposed areas of the garden.

 

...are the tickets for "Stu Gardens" sold out, or...?

 

You need a special pass

I am ripping out the grass in May so it will be closed until the tropical monsters are at their peak :D

 

After much debate last year, have you decided what you are replacing the grass with? If I remember correctly, we were discussing coloured gravel and such like.

 

I am going with the same colour, size etc. Two reasons, it will look bigger as a result of using the same material, less breaks in the design. Secondly, I pay �£240 for 6 tonnes of 20mm Shingle and the closest snazzy coloured stuff was well over a grand ! :( :D

 

Clever choice, Batman ... no, sorry Banana Man!

I like shingle, the smooth type preferably. We're probably going to shingle where we put the car, hopefully this summer, when we construct a carport .... hurray, I can have more climbers!

 

I have heard that you should use sharp gravel as opposed to shingle which is like small pebbles.
The gravel beds down and doesn't keep moving around like shingle does.