I would like to now also because I am getting one this spring. I am sticking it in the ground when I get it. Njoasis how has yours grown?

Slower than Butia captitata but not too bad. But my Butias seem FAST in comparison to the descriptions I read of them. I was doing inventory in the fall and was confused because I thought I only had TWO containerized Butias (another big one is in the ground)--I counted THREE containerized. Then, I realized that one particular Butia, was in fact, a Jubaea chilensis (look very similar--at least when young). What I do with the Jubaea will depend, in part, on how the planted Butia survive the winter--so far, it looks great! I see pretty good growth on all my cold hardy palms--Trachys, Sabal louisiana, Chamaerops, Needles...(exception being Sabal minor which I've grown to hate after repeated trials and failures). Good luck with your winter weather.--Winter seems to be easing some here right now.

The only one I recall was the one in Charlotte, planted by a SPS member many years ago. Jubaeas are native to an are that has temps similar to San Antonio, TX.

I would really like to grow a Jubaea chilensis but the things keeping be from it are its slow growth rate, lack of availability in the eastern USA, and lack of heat tolerance (although Im sure it would have no problem with that in partial shade). I think they are probably about as cold hardy as a pindo palm, and maybe just a little bit more or less.
Good luck!
-Alex

Tropicalzone, I am also guessing they are about as cold tolerant as Butia but will check the cold data base on that one. I purchased mine on eBay last winter. Decent size right now--(some palms take off after some slow yearly years so time will tell.) They are native to a milder, Mediterranean climate without our extremes (cold, heat, humidity, ice and snows). Don't ever recall seeing one in Florida. Will post a picture of mine later. They are majestic when mature though!

Tropicalzone7 and njoasis the gentleman that I spoke to about these seemed really informed. Hes located in houston texas has some larger ones available. Hes said older ones have been exposed to 5F. And I have seen posts of people having large jubaea in Seattle. I dont believe seattle has medaterranean climate what do you think?

Seattle doesnt have a mediterranean climate, it rains there in summer. I havent seen one here, it might get too hot. I have seen them near the coast. Anyway check out this site called palmpedia.net. It should help :)

-US_Marine

No, Seattle is not (currently) known for its Mediterranean climate--but it IS generally 'milder' in both summer and winter than the rest of the country (South Florida has seen colder temps this year than places in the NW!). I understand that they have also been attempted in Ireland and England. Don't forget that many plants (some palms included) are limited as much by their intolerance to winter cold as summer heat (and humidity). In the East, I would definitely plant it part sun and not burning sun. I'll keep mine in a pot for the time being--until it outgrows my largest contains. Got a few years to contemplate it. Happy Holidays!

There is one growing in Anniston,Alabama.It's planted at the Anniston museum of natural history.It's been there for 12 to 13yrs planted as a five gallon.I hear you have to watch out for voles with them.
Here's a pic.
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I would say Seattle's climate is close to England. Summers are cool and days are often in the 60s, but winters arent much cooler and days are often in the 40s (and lows in the mid 30s or so) (I didnt look up any of these temps up so I could be off a little). Seattle usually says mild, but they can get cold every once in a while. This past November they got VERY cold over their and many areas broke records for that time of the year and usually mild areas went into the single digits. Im not sure if Seattle went to the single digits, but if it didnt then it was close. But Jubaeas still do pretty well in Seattle and even a little north from pics I have seen.

Good luck!
-Alex

Yes, it did get bitter cold this year in Seattle--as was/is Great Britain! Interesting to see how all those subtropicals in The British isles manage. We get the occasional arctic cold, but at least we have a LONG, hot, subtropical season for them to recuperate.

I think it would be interesting to see how it fares in your climate! I have a 4 year old seedling that I planted outside in December 2007. It's been in its location for 3 years now and it is painfully slow! It is now bulging at the base, but it has yet to grow it's split leaves (all strap leaves until now). Also, it's interesting to note that it is only actively growing during our cool seasons (fall, winter), then slows down in the spring, and is completely inactive during the summer.

I have read a report of this palm from a friend in Florida, and they said the palm is not tolerant of humidity at all. They mentioned the palm developing rot holes in the trunk, and a diminishing crown of fronds... a slow death to the palm. Here's a description of the palm from Fairchild Botanical Garden in Miami:

"Jubaea chilensis is a slow growing, massive palm from savannas of Chile. It is a spectacular ornamental for cool Mediterranean climates. It grows well in the gardens of Europe and Southern California but lacks vigor in the heat and humidity of South Florida."

Yes, it's more the humidity than the heat that seems to be the problem for this palm... it grows very well here in California in inland areas where temps often get over 110F without any damage to these palms. Rain is not a problem, either. But muggy weather seems to make this a tough grow. They got one up to about 10' of trunk in Orlando, but it was sickly and sad looking, and soon after died.

i have one in it's third winter outside. It's in part shade and is very slow, with about 3 little pinnate fronds.