My neighbors have Mule Palms. I am told they are a hybrid of Queen Palms x King palms. They have a larger diameter trunk than Queens and were developed to withstand a bit colder temps. They are nice looking!
In addition to the possibility of internal freezing of Queens during sustained cold/freeze spells, there is a possibility of a palm virus migrating to Central Florida that Queens will be susceptible to.
It has been recorded in Florida now (not HERE yet) and is something new, so not much is known about it.
This happens in the plant world sometimes. For one example,
Sago Palms have been prone to a disease or virus (for the last few years) that is severely causing their numbers to dwindle here. Some Sagos are resistant to the virus, but some are not and so on the ones with impaired resistance, often scale (insects) settle inside where they are hidden and the combo of scale and virus makes for the plant's certain demise over time.
I am told that there is no way to tell ahead of time if a Sago is virus-free or not and they have not developed a remedy, so for that reason, many are not selling them presently.
Long-lived Sagos have grown in Florida since the dinosaur age. They are called 'living fossils' in the plant world. Unfortunately, new viruses happen.
If you are concerned about the use of rock,
one thing you can do is to include low growing plants like creeping juniper or oyster plant in a diameter area around your palms. Then any rock used can be kept a bit away from the plant, and mulch will not be needed, as these plants will act as your ground cover.
That is cool that there was such a course at the College.
Did I mention I love this place?
Last edited by Uptown Girl; 02-13-2013 at 07:06 PM.
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