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My Foxtail Palm in Chicago

15 years ago

Well, I've not been around in many months, but I thought I would post a picture of my Foxtail palm that I'm growing here in Chicago.

The weather has (finally) turned warmer so I have it plunged, pot and all, in my front garden. He is now about 15 feet tall and yes, I do get some strange looks from neighbors walking their dogs. You can also see my Coconut palm in the blue pot sitting there as well.

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Comments (8)

bob_westmich_zn6b
15 years ago
Now that is impressive! How do you move it around? It must be getting awfully heavy by now! Where does it go come winter?
rwallen1961
Original Author
15 years ago
I have a 2 story living room space with full height (20 foot) windows with a SE exposure so it lives inside all winter.

Yes, it is very heavy and rather awkward to move around, but I have a 2-wheel hard truck that I put it on, tip it over and take it out the front door. Trust me, it isn't a pretty site when that occurs.
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Well, technically we can't because it will most likely die from one or if not from two winters unprotected. When it gets below 10 degrees, it needs some light protection. If we get below zero as we usually do a few times each winter, it gets a good deal of protection; rope lights, frost cloth and a plastic bag. Here is a picture of it with the full protection that takes about 15 mins to put on: As I mentioned earlier, I only do this a few times each winter during the cold spells. I've had to protect for three weeks each winter. The rest of the 345 days a year, it is completely on its own even enduring snow events. Here it is on Christmas Eve: Still looking great in the middle of January: And here it is in the biggest snowfall it has seen: Kyle
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Be careful, make sure it is not a flower spike first. I believe the foxtail flowers similar to how the royals flower and that is from the bulging crownshaft area. If this is the case, don't cut the palm at all!!!
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please tell me what kind of palms you have there? I do not have any. but I would love to have my yard look that nice. please tell me. Wow...does someone's life dependent on it? lol
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Honestly I don't think I can help the drainage in this spot. Where I live the fill dirt they use to elevate the lots is garbage. I may contact my local extension office and see what they think. If it's a drainage issue I will most likely let it run it's course and if it dies replace it with something that likes soggy dirt.
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mike-jaramillo
15 years ago
Very nice!! You must have high ceilings. I admire your work. I am working on getting higher ceilings
bob_westmich_zn6b
15 years ago
It's good to see that a tree that size will thrive in a pot. I am currently growing a Cuban Royal in a pot and know that I will be faced with that dilema some day.
rwallen1961
Original Author
15 years ago
Bob...I also have a Royal in a pot, but it wasn't included in this picture. I actually grew it from seed which still amazes me that it not only spouted, but has continued to thrive. It is now about 8 feet tall and growing like a weed. I'd love to see some pictures of your Royal.
bob_westmich_zn6b
15 years ago
Mine is just a seedling about 18" tall right now. Just purchased a month ago. It was a bit sorry looking when it arrived and has just recently started putting on some growth. Probably had some shock from shipping and trans-planting. Maybe I'll post a pic of how it looks now and another at the end of summer and see how much progress it makes.
birdsnblooms
15 years ago
Rwallen, your palm is gorgeous. I don't envy you lugging that beauty in and out though..
What direction sun is it getting outside? Do you acclimate? And how deep do you set in the ground?

I have palms, but hardly ever take them out..But a couple months back, bought one called Potato Chip Palm..I'd love for it to mature faster being in the ground than in pots.. If you don't mind all the questions, what am I looking at by the end of summer if I were to plant in the garden? Or even take outdoors in its tree pot..Thanks, Toni
edbtz
15 years ago
That's awesome, I did the same thing this year. One question for you though, How do you control the bugs that get int the pot while it is in the ground when you bring it back in the fall?

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