This palm has a tree like habit and is about the only one worth
growing outside in the UK, except for the European fan palm,
chamaerops excelsa, which forms more of a clump. I live in Dorset and
T. Fortunei has no problems at all here except that strong wind
damages the leaves if in an exposed position, especially in the
winter. Soil type seems to be largely immaterial, as long as you don't
live in a bog. I have been growing some T. Fortunei in pots here for
about fifteen years, and they have stood out in all weathers. I am
trying to sell some now as there is nowhere else to put anything; if
that is of interest the e-mail is (I am
afraid it would have to be a collect only job)
If you know about this plant and have seen it in parks or garden
centres in the north of England and Wales, or anywhere in Scotland I
would be interested to know. I have seen them in Norfolk, which can be
pretty cold in winter.
If you need any advice about this plant I may be able to help.

On 20 Nov 2002 01:36:18 -0800, (Clive
Wilson) wrote:

This palm has a tree like habit and is about the only one worth
growing outside in the UK, except for the European fan palm,
chamaerops excelsa, which forms more of a clump.

You may be right but I hope to prove you wrong!

Have you seen this web site?
http://www.rosedownmill.co.uk/

I bought a Butia capitata from them and have already explained
elsewhere (the Cordyline thread) the trouble I presently go to in
order to allow it conditions where it might put on as much pace as
possible (protection in Winter).

By all accounts the Trachycarpus has been known to be hardy in the UK
for many years now.

The Butia is, under any conditions, a very slow grower. It puts on
only three or four fronds every year and gains three or four inches in
height. It should eventually be quite spectacular as I believe it
grows eventually to 70 - 80'. Nice! And a true feather palm to boot.
But I would need to be sitting on a cloud playing a harp when the time
comes!

Rosedown Mill also have some strange prehistoric plants called
cycads and I bought a selection of those for indoors. They grow really
slowly too and I was a little aghast to find that one or two of those
grow to quite a size. It'll take them years though.

Anyway if you don't already know Rosedown Mill you should go have a
shufti. There is an on line catalogue too so you will have an idea
where to pitch the price when you sell your Trachys.

Respect

Hussein

On 20 Nov 2002 01:36:18 -0800, (Clive
Wilson) wrote:

If you need any advice about this plant I may be able to help.

Rosedown Mill price list for your information.

Height 25 £5.75 [Std. Delivery]
CODE: TRFO3 Pot Size 3 Height 40 £12.50
CODE: TRFO7 Pot Size 7.5 Height 65 Trunk=10cm. £28.00
CODE: TRFO15 Pot Size 15 Height 90 Trunk=20cm. £49.00
CODE: TRFO70 Pot Size 70 Height 160-200 Trunk=60-80cm. £185.0

"Hussein wrote in message
Rosedown Mill also have some strange prehistoric plants called
cycads and I bought a selection of those for indoors. They grow really
slowly too and I was a little aghast to find that one or two of those
grow to quite a size. It'll take them years though.


Kew Gardens has what they say is the oldest Pot Plant in the world in their
Palm House and it's a Cycad and it's big, very big. First potted up in the
1700s I do believe. :-)


Bob

Use a usefull Screen Saver...
http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/
and find intelligent life amongst the stars, there's bugger all down here.

On Fri, 22 Nov 2002 06:52:12 +0000, wrote:


Once your plant becomes more established, growth rates wil speed up.
I now regularly see between 9 & 12 new fronds per year. I fully
expect it to continue accelerating right up to 20 or so in a season.

Hey! Thanks for that!

That height is a bit optimistic for B. capitata, but it does develop
into a majestic plant in time. Plants in cultivation are most
commonly seen at around 4 -5m. Butia yatay is taller, but with
slightly sparser fronds, it has a spikier look about it. My own plant
is more of a sea-green with moderately broad leaflets. It just gets
better and better every time I look at it.

I have found various pictures of the capitata. It seems to change
shape as it gets larger. There is a middling stage, around 4-5 m I
suppose, when the trunk is quite bulbous, an elongated pineapple.
However the picture I have seen of an elderly specimen is somewhat
different with a shape much more like a coconut palm and, as I said,
spectacularly tall.

Re Cycas

In most cases, centuries more like!

They'll surely be there (hopefully) long after I have curled up my
toes, at which time they will be mere "boys".

leaf flush.. My favourite is Lepidozamia peroffskyana - barely hardy
here, but supremely elegant with very long, arching fronds of
glistening green.

My favourite is one with twisty fronds and has "Mexican" in its Common
name.

David Poole
TORQUAY UK

Torquay? Oh yes. What a shame I can't send my shivering mites off on a
train with lunchboxes for a Winter break with yours!

Nice post for me David.

Thanks

Respect

Hussein