Washingtonia robusta - Winter 2008/9 Recovery Complete

[SteveW]

This is how it looks right now

DSCN3051.JPG

DSCN3050.JPG

I don't know whether its a robusta,filifera or filibusta as it was grown from a packet of seeds a friend sent over from spain when we first moved in.So around 7 years ago,maybe 8

[derrick]

It didnt stay out the winter time But there is a washington on my road smaler thats recoverd it is very close to the house If i dig my washington up winter time and bring inside will it shock the palm to much The roots could be a problem.

[sam140]

Dave, cheshire is a bit different from the south coast. Derrick I'd leave you washies out this winter. Try and give them plently of fertiliser to grow them on as much as possible. The more established they are the hardier they will be.

I have found that Washies are alot hardier that people think and recover quickly in spring.

[AndrewBird]

Looks much better now Dave Brown

[Dave Brown]

My personal view is that most people try to rush this palm. As I said it is marginal here even when larger, so my plan was to grow it on in pots and tubs until too large to accommodate, then plant it out to take its chances. Small ones don't have a good survival rate even in less severe winters.

Derrick, I think Barrie ( Las Palmas Norte) on Vancouver Island, protects a Washingtonia using a plywood box constructed around it. Barrie, if you read this can you comment further

[Edo]

Dave, my truly admiration!
Please, could you take precise measurement how tall it is?

Dave, if you continue this way, you´ll be noted in the books, and maybe some sub-species will ahve name such is "Washingtonia Browniana".

Any chance to get some seeds from you?

Best,
Edo

[derrick]

I have alot of pallets stacked in my garage coverd in polly and stuffed with pipe lagging from work also pollystyrene 4 inch thick .I wanted to create some sort of box for some of my plants for the winter I work for a insulation company so can get all types of insulation .The only thing is the amount light and air flow to the plants.

[Dave Brown]

An update on how it is doing now we are passed high summer, although it did reach 28.1C here on the 8th Sept

Basically it has grown 16 leaves this season, and we will get another maybe 2 or 3 before the winter stops it's growth. It had a lot of damage this spring which was more than in spring 2008, but less damage than was suffered in the almost frost free, but stormy winter of 2006/7 when it was almost defoliated by the gales.

7th Sept 2009 with 16x 2009 leaves

[bev]

looking very healthy dave, lets hope you can keep most of them on for next year!

cheers

lee

[Danny Thomas]

Good to see the recovery. Well done.

[ElTel]

That looks really lovely Dave

[Si]

Amazing tree there Dave, much respect