Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex' - Quick UK Winter Care Guide

[@philstephens7786]

Brilliant clear down to earth advice thanks

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I'm pleased it was helpful!

[@dandandan389]

How do you over winter small sausage dogs? Great video as always George, you are a natural in front of the camera!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha always the best comments Dan! Unfortunately I don't have any easy methods for them, getting them to go to the toilet when it's raining is hard enough! Thanks, it took a few goes but I was determined to get it all sorted in one take before it got dark, maybe not a natural but a mix of practice and tapping into enthusiasm somehow!

[@DJSupaflyguy]

Great advice thanks 👌👌👌👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much as always 😊

[@tetrapanax1]

I’ve had mine outside for years with no protection (Surrey). It’s amazing every year. My favourite plant (hence my channel name). I quite like the fact that frost stunts growth a bit. I don’t want it to branch so don’t mind the buds getting burnt and falling off. I’ve had a few pups from it too so it must be happy. Good vid George.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and they’re certainly a plant worthy of a whole channel name! That’s interesting about the frosts nipping it too, once they get big it’s pretty much what’ll be will be but I hadn’t really thought of it as a positive before for these. Pleased to hear it’s grown so well for you!

[@timleunig]

Mine too (Surbiton, SW London)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@timleunig Good to know 👍

[@milkweeddreams8828]

I find your videos helpful even in Florida as my new location in N Florida is way different from the southern regions, I had a lot of freeze issues last year and am keen to see what this next winter brings...raising my yard up out of it's flooding tendencies with mulch, which is free here, has really helped. I found that my Aussie tree ferns don't like the standing water for longer periods, so I pull larger plants from pots and plant directly on top of ground and surround with piles of mulch which holds the moisture, they are doing great, as is my baby Tetra, so far...thanks...!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, thanks for your interesting insights as always! It’s amazing how different our climates are but how certain tips can really help both our gardens, I do similar with raising my feather palms up on mounds to help keep their roots away from the damp in winter.

[@geesgardeningclubuk5247]

Perfect timing George i was just wondering what to do with my youngling down my allotment, safe to say it’ll be going in the summerhouse now along with a few other delicates 👍🏼

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one thanks, yes only when it’s getting properly cold but after this winter it should be just fine in the ground 👍

[@stevebacon1026]

Thanks george . When i eventualy get a tetra rex next year i will know what to do in winter👍. Seem that nuseries and centres in kent havent much knowledge on this plant! When i ask some of the staff in them i usuajjy get the reply - a tetra what!!!!! Muppetts😜. I have up to date twelve tree ferns of various sizes planted in garden, and this year im go going to hold back protecting till last minute, as we not getting the bad weather we should be getting. Ive not lost any yet in last five years( touch wood.). Thanks for listening and helping us out. All best , steve. 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Steve, great to know your tree ferns are doing well. I put the straw in the crowns before any serious cold but no wrapping before it's required, no. As for the Tetrapanax, it's a weird time isn't it, where certain plants have huge popularity in the exotic gardening community but most 'normal' garden centres don't know what they are. To be fair, it's probably a niche plant for most garden centre employees to know about but it would be good if some of the exotics we enjoy growing would be more widely available at the right money, it would definitely get more people into gardening.

[@greatnorthernexotic]

Great video again, George. I put one in the ground this spring and it hasn't made fantastic progress above ground, but I think it'll have done a lot of work to establish its roots. Fingers crossed for another mild winter!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and fingers crossed indeed although I suspect it could be colder this time round. It could have been a bit dry for them this year but I’m sure it’ll pick up next year for you, yes 👍

[@samturton79]

Great video George, can you do a similar one for Musa Basjoo? Mine is only a foot tall but not sure whether to lift it and move it into the greenhouse or put a fleece on it.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I will try to. At that size it can be a bit tricky, larger and I'd say definitely protect outside, smaller and it would definitely be better in the greenhouse so ultimately it will depend on how cold the winter might be. If it's recently planted, I'd lift it and keep it in the greenhouse, if it's been in a while I'd protect it with straw and fleece before any significant cold.

[@foiler666]

My small musa basho kept it leaves last year here on the north east coast

[@46FreddieMercury91]

you can do a mulch of manure round the base, as decaying manure gives off a tiny bit of heat which will help protect the roots

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@foiler666 That definitely shows how mild last winter was, we were very lucky 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@46FreddieMercury91 A good mulch always helps but I’m careful to not have it mounded up against stems, especially on more woody plants. Well worth doing for a bit of soil insulation and nutrients for next year!

[@annasutton8078]

Mine has made massive progress this year from a plant I bought in a pot the year before and over wintered indoors. I wasent sure when I planted it out if it would come to much. However its looking really good now and has some very large leaves. My neighbour has a large well established one its about 5ft tall. All the leaves fall off each winter and it bursts into life in the spring. Thanks for the video George and good advice as always.Still good temps in Norfolk.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That’s fantastic Anna, they definitely grow very quickly when they’re happy! The temperatures are looking good here too, hopefully it continues for a good while 🤞

[@mrchuffy6535]

Great video George, we are planning on getting one of these next year so will be using this as reference in future!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, pleased it was helpful and I'm sure you'll enjoy getting one next spring!

[@mrchuffy6535]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden We have just been to Brigg Garden center see they have five or six big Dicksonia tree ferns! I have never seen one up close they are insanely impressive!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@mrchuffy6535 I imagine the price tag was appropriately impressive too 😂 They are fantastic plants aren’t they, there’s nothing else like them!

[@robertcornelius8056]

Thanks George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks for watching as always 😃

[@W3c16B]

thanx for the great videos you make! I just bought 3 Tetrapanax and have just read, they are very invasive, at least in warmer climates. How invasive are thy in UK? I live in Denmark, so it's colder here than in UK , some winters are mild like last winter, but we never know... Anyway, what do you do to stop them from growing all over the place ?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thank you very much, apologies for my delayed reply! Some plants do seem more prone to pupping than others, but it's often root damage or a cold winter that can trigger them to start growing from the roots. I wouldn't class the majority of plants as invasive and removing any pups is easy. You could potentially use a rhizome barrier but I would generally say you're best off planting away from lawns, boundaries and areas regularly dug up if it's a concern then just remove any that do pop up by hand. Unfortunately they don't seem to thrive in pots long term.

[@W3c16B]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thsnx for your answer. Mine will be planted up to my neighbors lawn, so - just in case-I think I'll create a barrier, but how deep should it be ? Do you have any idea?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@W3c16B Ahh right. I'm not entirely sure about the depth but the roots do seem closer to the surface so if you are going to do it maybe a 600mm rhizome barrier? You might have no problems at all but then again you might have a harsh winter that kills the main stem and then it's pup city but fingers crossed for you, they're definitely very manageable plants for a lot of people.

[@missdimples1982]

Aaah! I didn't realise how much I had missed! Got some catching up to do

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Don't worry, I don't expect everyone to watch everything haha but I appreciate your time! I've been a bit steadier uploading vids recently but hope to get a few more overwintering vids out next week!

[@missdimples1982]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden That's great, it certainly feels like winter now, wearing a snood indoors!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@missdimples1982 It does indeed! It’s mild but also chilly at the same time 😂

[@northeasthardytropicals541]

Always informative my friend

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much!

[@wesleyhackney]

Finally got my first one it’s about 2 ft in pot and I’m in 9A here in Pensacola Fl. Going to keep out and bring into garage if it dips below freezing this first winter then plant in ground next spring

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, sounds like exactly what I’d do, I hope it grows well for you!

[@ProjectKelstone]

Just the video I needed for 2 new TRex about 1.5-2 ft tall in large pots. Ones plastic pot other is a 57ltr grow bag. Maybe if I wrap fleece around the plastic pot and base of stem to stop it getting to cold?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one. Personally I’d just bring them closer to the house or somewhere sheltered and they should be fine unless it gets extremely cold. I wouldn’t leave them wrapped as that can trap in moisture.

[@uktropicallandscapes1224]

Thank u great advice

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No problem!

[@trevsutton8185]

Hi George, great tips for T. rex 👍 . Have you ever tried to overwintering ricinus and if so how? I’ve grown a beautiful red one from seed this year for the first time and I love !! I know most people say to treat them as an annual as they are easy to grow from seed but I’m reluctant to just let it go !

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Trev! You’re not going to like this answer but I grow them as an annual too, unfortunately my heated overwintering space inside is too precious and they get too tall for the polytunnel. You can try digging it up and moving it undercover, if it’s a mild winter it might make it through without additional heat but in all honesty it’s a bit of a gamble…

[@trevsutton8185]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thought you might say that ! I think I’ll have a try and see how it goes , nothing really to loose 🤷‍♂️thanks George I’ll let you know how I get on!!! Keep up the good work my friend

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@trevsutton8185 No worries and thanks. Just because it’s not the ‘done’ thing doesn’t mean you can’t do it, if it survives the move you could even grow it as a houseplant if you want. Good luck either way 😃

[@emmagunston446]

Thanks George for your wonderful advice as always. My trex that I won from you last year (thanks again!) has done really well this year and has given me some amazing growth. As you know it's in a pot so I think I'll bring it up by the garage wall under the gazebo to be on the safe side. Should I give it a bit of water every now and then do you think or just leave it as is? Thanks George!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Emma, I’m pleased it’s doing so well. That sounds like a good plan, I wouldn’t worry about watering it regularly but just keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn’t completely dry out - I’m sure it’ll be just fine 👍

[@emmagunston446]

​@@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks George that's great 😀

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@emmagunston446 No worries Emma ☺️

[@Nik-xb4pm]

Hey George, love your videos, they got me through lockdown, and no I've even started a tropical garden of my own! Just wondering, I have a pup t rex is a matter of cm high, I want to save it to either give away or sell, should I bring it inside over winter? Or will it re sprout in spring?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thank you very much, great to hear you’ve been enjoying them and started your own tropical garden! The Tetrapanax can be a bit tricky at that size unfortunately as they don’t really have anything in the way of a separate root system so you’d probably struggle to separate it and keep it going. Personally I’d leave it alone and put some fleece or straw over it while it’s below freezing but ultimately it’s unlikely to make it through a very cold spell. I wouldn’t be too disheartened though as it’ll either resprout or more will come up in spring.

[@nicolaSmith-w3t]

Hi, I live in the Midlands, UK. I have a Tetrapanax which is 6 ft tall now and 5-6 years old. It gave a fantastic display of leaves last year but as normal all the leaves went brown and had to fall off or be removed. I have a double trunk at the top now and all the areas where the previous leaves were look slightly rotted and there are no signs of new growth yet. What should I do please? I really don't want to lose this beauty!!!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Nicola and sorry to hear your has suffered too. My largest is exactly the same whereas smaller plants which didn't have the same damage are just starting to grow away. What I would say is that there's not a huge amount you can do in my opinion but it's very early days yet and even most of our native trees are only just budding out so I wouldn't lose all hope yet. Fingers crossed it makes a full recovery!

[@empirix]

great video. Pretty cold now over the last few days in Ireland so i have put fleece on the top part sprouts, put straw in the bottom,snow forecast too, how long will it be ok for covered (general opinion) , i was thinking of leaving it covered until the end of January, she is nearly 2 metres now so want her to keep going? Also can you propagate from the top sprouts? cheers

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thank you. I wouldn’t really say a specific amount of time but personally I wouldn’t wrap them like a banana and unless it’s an extended freeze I’d unwrap regularly. You might be better with more airflow from the straw though, I could have been unlucky. I’m sure it’ll be just fine though, I don’t know where you are but the lows here shouldn’t worry a good size plant. You can’t propagate from the top sprouts unfortunately.

[@conorosullivan6717]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden ok cheers for that stay well out there ;)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@conorosullivan6717 Thanks, you too! It’s definitely a colder week ahead!

[@Nik-xb4pm]

Hey George, just wondering if I should dig up a new baby sprout of my tetrapanax rex to protect over the winter? I am planning on selling it possibly next year or the year after. Its only a few cm tall

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Nik, personally if it’s that size I’d say it probably wouldn’t dig up and take very well anyway so I’d maybe fleece it on freezing nights but just leave it in the ground. They need to be a certain size to reliably grow on in pots.

[@bobcharlie7982]

when do you start over wintering george? had a frost yesterday morning but thunk it was an eary one off. i wanted to wait till mid november to start.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

It depends on the plants really but for most I wait until before the first proper frost risk. It was close for us too, but when there's two weeks of milder nights forecast I thought it was worth chancing it. Any time in November is a bonus really and a good time to get prepared.

[@McGoga]

Hi George Hi on my wish list. Does the plant have thorns and if you touch it with gloves. I heard it irritates skin. Tnx

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Goran, it’s great to hear from you. They don’t have thorns, no. They have a power under the leaves which you want to avoid inhaling when disturbed but they’re not irritant to skin or to walk past as far as I’m aware so they should be just fine.

[@tulipgb5328]

Hello George. I have come across yr video & thought I would contact you for advice. Have new - totally blank smallish garden. I want to create a tropical garden. Just bought my first plant today th Tetrapanex Rex. Where do I start creating thus HELP !! thank you

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thanks for getting in touch, the Tetrapanax is a great start! Personally I'd start by watching loads of vids on here - the garden visit tours I've done, Craig over at Grow Paradise, Yorkshire Kris etc. and also maybe join Facebook groups like Jungle / Tropical Style Gardening UK for ideas and inspiration. It's always worth getting an idea of the overall look that you want to create in your space before getting too deep into collecting plants! Happy to help if I can and all the best with it.

[@tulipgb5328]

@GeorgesJungleGarden thanks for the advice really appreciate the help

[@shineamen3107]

Thank you George, great plant indeed, but too large for my small terrace! :( Take best care! 💚

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you for watching Bernard. You’re probably right, not the best plant for a small terrace unfortunately but a dramatic exotic where space allows. I hope you’re having a great week and all the best!

[@shineamen3107]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden You are correct, spectacular plant! Take care George.💚

[@TropicalJungleIreland]

Hi George. I want to transplant my TP to a different location. Are they dormant during winter, as mine still has it's leaves ?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, apologies for the delayed reply. Personally I’d move it in the cooler months of the year, yes. They don’t go fully dormant but the leaves will drop soon with some proper cold. You don’t want to move it when it’s freezing really though, obviously it depends on the circumstances but I’d either do it now or in spring at this point.

[@pippipster6767]

Do they like full sun or part sun or shade? Do they like dry soil or wet soil? Thanks.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Pip, they seem quite tolerant of sun or shade but I think a bit of shade / shelter helps with the big leaves. They prefer a moist but not waterlogged soil like a woodland / forest plant I guess so that tricky mix of a well draining but rich soil with a good amount of organic matter. They'll survive in drier areas but never really thrive in the same way.

[@jaminns3801]

Hi George, I planted my first T Rex this summer, it's growing well about 3ft. I've planted it in a shady area of my garden next to ferns & a dicksonia but it is close to the border with my neighbour. I'm a bit concerned it could get absolutely massive but its the perfect location for it for the garden design. Can you cut back the stem at any point in the year if it gets too big to keep it at a certain height say no more than 2.5 - 3m max? If you can cut it back is there a best time of year to do that? & would you literally just hack the main trunk at the point you want?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, personally if you're happy with it there and it looks good then I'd leave it well alone. A lot of older specimens I've seen aren't necessarily hugely tall unless grown in a very shaded / woodland style environment and even then it takes some time. I guess you could just cut it back in potentially late spring but I'd leave the plant to develop how it wants to naturally before worrying about it - it might branch off before then.

[@jaminns3801]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden brilliant thank you for the advice 👍🏾

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@jaminns3801 No worries ☺️

[@Phase-Shift]

Hi George, the grow point on my tetrapanex has gone mushy 😢 Would you suggest just leaving it or cutting it back? Concerned the problem will move down the stem? Your help would be appreciated 🙏🏻

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, a couple of mine have done the same and personally I’m just leaving them to it. Unfortunately it was just too cold for too long but I’m confident they’ll sprout back from lower down in spring and keep on growing away. You can chop any really mushy growth off but I’d be careful not to cut too deeply into the live growth and risk much more dieback from any upcoming freezes. I’m not sure there’s a right of wrong answer but personally I’m leaving mine to it, I’ve had plants come back from similar freezes before.

[@Phase-Shift]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden thank you George, really appreciated :)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

@@Phase-Shift No worries, good luck with it!

[@bidders77]

are these any good in clay soils that can be very wet?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, apologies I missed this comment, I thought I'd replied and I'm guessing you're sorted now. They appreciate moisture in summer but won't like being waterlogged in winter. I suspect with the addition of organic matter they'll be OK in most soil types if established before winter.

[@marycummins5384]

Glad you confess to occasionally making mistakes over doing the fleece for too long.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Oh yes, happy to share my experiences, mistakes and learnings! Hopefully they help other people avoid doing the same!

[@steverichardson4374]

Can I transfer my one now it's 4 foot tall or wait till spring mate

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I’d probably go for it now while the soil is damper and it’s not too cold, it should have a good month or so to settle in and not be stressed by extreme temperatures or need a lot of watering.

[@sharondawson2467]

Hi, I brought my baby rex in for the winter and the leaves are going yellow. Does anyone have any advice please

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, it could be from shock if it's just been brought in from a chilly garden into a warm house, the humidity is likely a lot lower inside but new leaves should come through soon if that's the case and it may be worth moving it to somewhere cooler. It could potentially also be a watering issue if the lower leaves are yellowing - it can point at plants being either too dry or wet.