SOCHI? THE CITY OF A MILLION PALM TREES.

[billdango]

Fed up with our lousy weather?

Then take a google trip [just updated] around a cold hardy palm lovers dream of paradise.

I have just spent many happy hours online touring the streets of this incredible Russian city and I recommend that forum members in their spare time do the same.

This city of palms is a credit to the people of Russia and I can,t understand why we in at least one city in the UK [say London] can't try to do the same.

Every type of cold hardy palm grows here and the number of Trachys must run into tens of thousands.

I know that the awesome summer heat there makes a difference to the plants that can be grown but it can get as cold in Sochi in winter as southern England.

Just go onto google maps and type in Sochi.

You won't be dissapointed.

billdango

[waggy1]

I've taken a wee tour of the city and they have certainly got plenty of Palm trees. Thanks

[cordyman]

do you have any google map links to bits in particular that really impressed you Bill

Going to have a wonder now

[cordyman]

Wow!

[billdango]

do you have any google map links to bits in particular that really impressed you Bill

Going to have a wonder now

Sorry cordyman I don't have any links because where ever you go in that City on google there are nothing but palm trees.

So its a waste of time posting anything on the forum as every forum member can find something of interest no matter they google.

Other interesting plants noted are some sort of tall thin conifer which also grows here in Southampton and loads of Agaves and common British street trees.

This City [Sochi] is full of trees that you can find in any part of the UK but the shear number of those trees are what gives that City its character.

And why is this?
Because our City fathers just love cutting down the trees in are own Towns and Cities to build even more gimcrack developments.

Look carefully and you may notice that nearly every tree and shrub including most palms will grow well in most UK Cities.

One of the places I must visit again before I die.

billdango

[Conifers]

Other interesting plants noted are some sort of tall thin conifer which also grows here in Southampton

Mediterranean Cypress, fastigiate cultivar Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta'

[medjool]

Some good Washys in Sochi too,although its not quite as warm in the winter as you would imagine,can drop to a mean temperature of -4c for a day or so!

[MikeC]

I think the climate there is more like the south of France than the south of England.

But nice that they love their palm trees so much.

[Nathan]

The averages for winter are similar to here, but the summers are much warmer... They have a record low colder than here too...

[MikeC]

The averages for winter are similar to here, but the summers are much warmer... They have a record low colder than here too...

They have summer heat and more sunshine. Something sadly lacking in the UK.

[billdango]

You can check out the climate of Sochi on Wickipedia.

Just type in Sochi and all the details of that City inc history and climate is given in full.

Its interesting to note that the winters in Sochi are almost the same as in Tresco temperature wise but the summers are hot and humid with an average daily maximum from May to September of between 25c to 29c so thats a bit better then the Uk I think.

The lowest on record there sees to be about -13c so thats a lot lower then Tresco has ever had.

Sun hours are quite good as well as they recieve around 2.175 hours a year so that leaves most of us palm growers in the UK in the shade.

But those small details shouldn't be a problem for any Town on the South coast trying to copy Sochi as most of their plants grow down here anyway.

Just imagine streets lined with hardy palms and most gardens bursting with yuccas and Cordylines and Trachys.

It can be done but the will is lacking.

Maybe some future exoticist will start the ball rolling.

billdango


ps I,m off back to Sochi tonight to check out the north of the City?

[MikeC]

Problem is UK is obsessed with native plants (those that came here before the last ice age ) and scared of invasive species.

UK councils have no vision or foresight.

Tis dull and always will be.

[Conifers]

I think the climate there is more like the south of France than the south of England.

Same latitude as the south of France too, so not so surprising

[Darlo Mark]

Aren't they hosting the winter olympics though?

[Conifers]

Yep - ski slopes up in the Caucasus Mountains behind Sochi.