Phoenix Tropicals Gardening

[ArizonaPalms]

So, I'm a confirmed Mule palm fan. Here's a 3 month growth comparison showing two Mule palms in our yard in Chandler. Picture 1 from September 2012, picture 2 June 2012. The palm at right has pushed at least 3 new large fronds and ol'stubby at left has stretched upward with new growth. Nice thing about the Mules is they'll look just as good following winter cold as now. Location: full day sun with Western exposure.

[pfancy]

mules for me have also been great. i have 5 from FL as strapers last year and have easily trippled in size. theyre in various exposures but, the ones in full blazing sun grow fastest. also, "crazy queens"(schitzoXromamzif) do the same and maybe look the same-we'll see in a couple years

[pfancy]

Jenesis76-try a Carpentaria acuminata palm-loves the sun and takes some cold-maybe 25F.

[MKIVRYAN]

Those mules look great. I ordered 2 from FL but one died in a few weeks so I'm down to one. Still trying to decide where to put it. You guys think full sun? Should I plant it now or green house it until spring? Thanks

[pfancy]

just planted one yesterday. they grow real fast w lots of wter and its still nice and warm out. the tree had already filled up a 15gal w roots after 16months from a 1gal bare root strapper

[pfancy]

just planted one yesterday. they grow real fast w lots of wter and its still nice and warm out. the tree had already filled up a 15gal w roots after 16months from a 1gal bare root strapper

[ArizonaPalms]

When to plant your palm? I would suggest keeping it potted until the risk of hard frost has passes like mid-February. The Mule's not going to push many roots during the winter anyway and you run the risk of planting shock/frost damage.

It's debatable but I choose to do all or most of my palm planting from early spring into summer.

Consideration of a planting location for your Mule palm would be the same as if planting a Queen palm or Pindo palm. You won't need to worry about winter protection nor over exposure to sun during summer for a mature tree. My only recommendation is that you select a location that provides enough sun as shade could be a limiting factor for these sun lovers.

[MKIVRYAN]

Thanks for the input. Since I dont really have a spot picked out I will wait til spring. I just got back from Hawaii and have a package that should be arriving full of seeds I picked up if anyone is interested in some. I will probably make a new thread with pictures and what seeds I was able to ID with the help of Scott (aztropic).

[Eriktampabay@yahoo.com]

Hello,

I know you guys are having some cold weather and was wondering how the Mule palms were holding up?

[pfancy]

doing just fine after consecutive nights at 25,26,23, and 28 last night. also, my crazy queens are fine. none of them received cover

[Eriktampabay@yahoo.com]

That is great to hear.

[MKIVRYAN]

Erik, I think I got mine from you a few months ago via Palm Talk. I covered mine with frost cloth but no heat. No sign of any damage!

[Eriktampabay@yahoo.com]

Hello Ryan,

Yes you did get it from me. Good to hear there is no damage. Let me know if you guys drop below 20 and how they do for you.

[MKIVRYAN]

No one will hear from me if we drop below 20

[Lxmcb]

Hey everyone, I'm new to this site, but it's good to see other palm "enthusiasts" in Phoenix. I've got, in 5 and 7 gallon, a foxtail, 2 triangle palms, bamboo palm, a travelers palm, a bottle palm, and a purple crown shaft. The purple crown shaft is small and got punished by this summer's heat wave, so we'll see if it'll pull through. Before I recently moved I had a clustering fishtail that was planted and did very well, along with a few bananas. I tried a couple maccarthurs palms, but they didn't do so well and dried out.

Does anyone know where I can find any kings or royals around here without having to go to California?