Snow Storm In New Zealand Hits My Sub-Tropicals

Rod

Re: Snow Storm In New Zealand Hits My Sub-Tropicals

Post by Rod »

targui wrote:Rod, I am in Tauranga and have never seen snow, been in it, apart from obswerving it on the mountains in the south
island, and the higher mountains in the north island.
When you got the snow in Christchurch I did not even
have a frost here. Contrary to your post re roystonea, I
have them growing well in my garden at the front of my property, along with several Pritchardia species, Caroyta,
EUTERPE, and Dypsis species and many others of tropical origin. The only ones I have had a problem with are some of the Vetchias although Vetchie Joannis shows
promise.
Hi targui, ~ I suppose anywhere from east cape along the coastline to cape reinga would be frost free, during winter. New Zealands climate zones vary considerably.
How big and how old are your roystonea regia's ??? ~ I am very intrigued that you have them growing successfully, as New Zealand is not the ideal climate for them.
Would you be able to post pic's of the roystoneas please - would love to see them.

Just remember with palms - its a very fine line from successfully growing them to not being able to grow them at all.
Here's an example:
Where i live, i cannot successfully grow rhopalostylis sapida. ( They get wiped out whenever we get a hard frost )
Just 8km up the road, still in the same city, they grow outside unprotected successfully.
targui

Re: Snow Storm In New Zealand Hits My Sub-Tropicals

Post by targui »

Yes Dave, probably do have a favourable microclimate
in Tauranga. We are roughly on the same lattitude as
Sicily. However wherever you live on the planet you
can always create your own microclimate. I have looked at Grub's site and viewed the tropical type garden he
has in inland Oxfordshire. He has done really well in
creating his own 'jungle'. I think it is always easier to
create a favourable microclimate near the coast as long
as there is protection from cold winds. I think the real
trick in growing tender exotics is having a free draining
soil as most species, particularly palms do not like cold
and wet together. Tropical plants often can take
colder temperatures but not wet at the same time. The
colder weather in the tropical climate is usually at a time
of minimum rainfall. One Chamaedorea, Costaricana
is a great clumping palm and seems to be able to
stand colder conditions very well, so should survive
very well in coastal conditions at least in the southern
part of the U.K near the coast. It does not seem
fussy about soil conditions. I will post some photo's
of palms around this area as soon as I can.
grub

Re: Snow Storm In New Zealand Hits My Sub-Tropicals

Post by grub »

targui wrote: I have looked at Grub's site and viewed the tropical type garden he
has in inland Oxfordshire. He has done really well in
creating his own 'jungle'.
Thanks Targui :oops:
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