Re(2): Archontophoenix cunninghamiana

davidfeix@yahoo.com writes:
>Barry,
>I wouldn't have thought that you'd get that cold in
>Marina, being so close to the sea.  King Palms do just
>find in similar conditions near the beach in San
>Francisco, but look their best with lots of regular
>watering, fertilizing and some protection from
>prevailing winds, to keep the leaves looking less
>battered and burnt.

The front yard has more protection from the wind than the backyard.
Unfortunately, Big wind blocking trees don't seem to be grown in my
section of town, but it's not that bad (i'm in a somewhat hillier area of
town, and i dont usually see that much wind). 

>  Your stats about essential lows
>and cold tolerance sound about right, but young palms
>are not as cold tolerant as older palms with trunks. 
>The Illawara variety may or may not be hardier,
>evidence is all anecdotal.  The confirmed hardiest
>clones should come from higher elevation grown seed
>collected in areas where these regularly freeze in
>Australia, but that's not the case with commercial
>sources for this palm in California, except by palm
>specialists and collectors. 

I've heard this also. I do intend to wrap the plant during colder winter
nights while it's still within reach (there are maybe a few nights each
winter where it dips past the 30's here). 

I'm wondering, to get the cold hardier clones, can the seed only be taken
from the trees growing at higher elevations? Or, would resultant offspring
from trees grown from the original source seeds keep that hardiness (it's
hard to really explain what I mean). 

> I find they do best if
>sheltered from cool marine breezes immediately near
>the coast, and will not put on fast growth without
>abundant water, (I've got one planted in a shaded
>sideyard with no suppemental irrigation and it is
>growing, but very slowly).

I do intend to irrigate this tree. I have a very small section of the
front yard that requires more water, but overall, it's not THAT much
supplemental irrigation (the areas near the sidewalk are all plants that
dont require much supplemental irrigation. I am growing the tree in sandy
soil, since cold, wet soil would probably be detrimental. 
>
>
>If you can't protect this from the wind, a Parajubea
>cocoides would probably be better in the long run. 


I've found one place that has actual Parajubaeas and not just seed.
http://www.junglemusic.net has many different palm varieties for sale, and
sells Parajubaeas in 1 gallon cans. The only drawback is, their minimum
order is $200.00 USD. But, i could buy several Parajubaeas. 

Also, these would probably be the best selection for the back yard, since
it's very open to the wind, and with your comments on Archontophoenix,
those wouldnt be very suitable for that part of the property. 


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