Washingtonia Filifera VS Robusta

[cordyman]

I thought Robusta was hardier than Filifera but doesnt like the wet as much?

"Although not quite as hardy as Washingtonia Filifera, they are definitely worth growing as they are still hardy to approx -5°C with protection. Do not plant in very cold or exposed sites though!"

http://www.easytropicals.com/pp/Palms/W ... busta.html


So really what is the better choice for our climate if Dave style protection is used? and is there anywhere which sells the genuine cross of the two?

[Dave Brown]

W. filifera is more cold hardy, W robusta is more damp tolerant. The concensus is that W robusta stands a chance protected from cold. where as filifera is very difficult to protect from damp. In our climate you are more likely to have success with robust than filifera Although some people may get them through in drier areas, or in heated greenhouses as the humidity is reduced as the air is heated.

Origin
W. robusta - dry coastal
W. filifera - inland desert

[turtile]

Where I live, robusta has a better chance of surviving since it grows much faster than filifera. Robusta won't even survive where I live most years since it can't regrow fast enough after defoliation. There are a few that survive right on the coast though (for the last two years).

When I went down to SC last week (Zone 8b/9a), filifera does much better since it doesn't get burned up in the cold. This actually allows filifera to grow faster there and look much better.

[MikeC]

So really what is the better choice for our climate if Dave style protection is used? and is there anywhere which sells the genuine cross of the two?

https://vault1.secured-url.com/turn-it- ... roduct=659


I've ordered one should be delivered in early November.

With the 50% sale it's only £100 with 1m of trunk.

[targui]

Washingtonia Filifera is much more difficult to grow. In
habitat it grows in inland areas where it is dry, hot during the
day but has underground water available. It does not like
humidity first and formost, or rain on a continual basis.

[Darlo Mark]

Filifera not a plant for the UK me thinks.