Trachycarpus

Its looked fine all winter, but now looks decidedly sick!

Wind may have got to it or wet - any ideas please?

 

Waco got to go, will post tomorrow.

 

Waco - lift some of that stone mulch and see what the compost feels like. If it survived the winter, its more likely to be either wet - or something chewing its roots.

 

It does look sick Waco, the central spear looks dead or dying which usually means curtains but I would wait and see. It is unusual for Trachycarpus to suffer from cold but wind does rip the fronds, mine is the same size as yours and has had it's fronds ripped this winter. Waterlogging could be the cause if it has poor drainage. It may possibly produce a new spear, time will tell.

 

I agree with strongy, it worrying that its the newest growth which is dead, if the growing point dies then its unlikely to recover.
Just how cold did it get up there last winter, being in a pot I wonder if the compost froze right through for any length of time.
Dont think wind or wet would cause that personally, although I'd leave it and not give up on it yet.

 

Well I lifted the mulch and good live root system close to surface Fran.

strongy - I fear the worst as I had a pull at the dead central spear and it came away in my hand, I pulled at one of the other central fronds and that did too, I can now get my finger in the hole.

The pot it is in is an old (VERY old) strawberry pot, so drainage good, but the rain we have had of late!!!!!!!!!!!

Think I may gt Martin to stick it outside the stable where heat even on a cold day is baking hot, but I am not hopefull.

funny how it has suddenly just gone. The plant is not a year old, I paid little for it but when I re potted it, it just took off.

 

I have had that happen with other less hardy palms Waco, just when you think they should be starting to grow the leading shoot dies and pulls out, its usually fatal.
I think the growth bud actually dies back in the winter and rot gets in, it shows up as the weather warms up and the top tender shoot dries out and goes brown. :(

 

pete I fear you are going to be right, I also had another plant similar to trachy - but forgot its name, RATHER could not be bothered to remember it.

Anyway, that died too, but as it was younger plant showed up quicker.

Well I am not giving up on it, but not trying too hard either, my philosophy is to try to grow plants that like me and my conditions rather than always batteling with nature any I make no apolagies for my attitude, but very grateful for all your help.

 

Dont give up on trachy entirely Waco, have another go.
Apparently they grow well up into Scotland so you should be OK, but I think I would plant it in the ground in a well drained spot with winter sunshine and just a light bit of protection its first winter so that it can establish.

 

Thanks pete, you are so encouraging, problem is that Walnut cottage and "Well drained spot with winter sunshine" hardly exist - well appart from the middle of the lawn!

to be honest as I was saying to Banana Man this exotic stuff somehow does not look quite right with Edwardian Villa - um then there is the idea of converting my stable area now the horse has gone........??? Now that is a real hot spot. well I will stick the present trachy there just incase it decides to make a come back and see what happens.
Thanks

 

Waco, for you. Best advice is from my palm bible.

I have tried cutting back to fresh growth with washingtonia and it works. You have to be brave though. Trachys cost more! I would do as it suggests but for now you must get it into full sun ASAP!

[ 25. May 2006, 05:10 PM: Message edited by: Banana Man ]

 

THANKS BM - this makes sound sense.

Just one other question, in view of the lateness of the season do you think I should take the "Drastic" action as suggeste? Have to say I do after reading it.

It has always been in full sun, but I could move it to the stable concrete apron where is is baking hot as it retains so much heat.

 

MMM, tricky. I would say leave it in the sun but then it would also get the rain. The concrete apron, is this a covered area open to the elements?

 

Waco PM sent.

 

Could be the late frosts aftr the ild winter(if you like in the SE gravitation zone). A few bottlebrushes that have survived well in some of my gardens were killed stone dead this spring. They had already started I guess. Bananas have all headed south as well, though some are shooting from the base now so I will wait further.