Puzzling Questions for a New Palm Enthusiast
Ivan Hares poses palm questions, and relates
his trials and tribulations as a new exotics enthusiast.
Ivan Hares, Spring Cottage, 141 London Road, Cowplain, Waterlooville,
Hants. PO8 8XJ, U.K.
Chamaerops No.42 - 2001
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I am a new member of the European Palm Society and
have, until now, never felt the urge to write to any magazine. This
is not due to a lack of hobbies, as my interests range from astronomy
to watergardening. The reason why I am putting pen to paper now
is because I have never before needed to know the answers to so
many puzzling questions concerning such a seemingly mysterious subject,
where there is equal scope for great success and miserable failure.
I have been interested in growing palms for about
a year and, after managing to kill a succession of coconut seedlings
(the usual fate for this palm when kept as a house plant, I'm told),
I decided to try some easier subjects, such as Kentia, Chamaedorea,
etc. While all of these seem to be happy, I am a bit concerned about
my Lytocaryum weddellianum. I bought it about six months ago as
a two-year-old plant and (I found out later not to do this) repotted
it as a delicate seedling! It survived and has since almost doubled
in size, now measuring a foot in height, and will one day need a
bigger pot. How can I do this without damaging the roots, which
I understand results in the death of the plant? I also have a Phoenix
canariensis, approximately four feet high, as a house plant, which
is in and out of the house in good weather. It seems to be growing
quite fast and will eventually be planted out.
Late last year I bought a Trachycarpus fortunei
(35 litre) and a Chamaerops humilis (15 litre), which I repotted
immediately (again, as I now understand, not the best thing to do).
Both, however, survived the winter well and continued to grow, though
I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. The Chamaerops has many
suckers, some of which I would like to remove in order to shape
the plant and propagate new plants. What is the best procedure for
doing this without causing any fatalities? In April I bought a Butia
capitata in a 35 litre pot that was bulging at the seams. It is
a good size with approximately two dozen old leafstalk remnants,
and it has four large fronds with two more on the way. As it appeared
to need a larger pot, I decided to repot it. The pot I used for
this, and the Trachycarpus, was a 75 litre plastic builder's bucket
(modified with drain holes) with rope handles (excellent value from
Wickes).
I wasn't too concerned about the aesthetics as it
is my intention to put them in the ground next year. However, after
reading about "pot planting" (an idea I like), I am not
entirely convinced these extremely tough and indestructible-looking
pots would be able to split and let sufficient roots out. (Is that
how it works? Maybe someone can explain the mechanics of it to me?)
At any rate, they are somewhat beyond the ideal five gallon size!
Having said that, if it works, I'm all for it. I can't think of
an easier way of planting them, especially taking into consideration
the weight and possible damage factor.
I have some plans for the garden, still very much
in the embryo stage at the moment, which include digging out another
pond but with an exotic theme, using palms (of course) and other
plants such as Cordyline, Phormiums, Fatsia, Bamboo and Bananas.
Wish me luck!
Readers Comments:
On 11-11-2001 Björn
Destree wrote:
Chamerops suckers:
I tried already to pot the suckers in order
to get new plants. From 50 suckers there is still 1 alive.(still
with no roots). I tried many hormons and treatments but I think
this is very hard to manage.
Björn
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