Bottle palm shock

Discuss palms you grow inside.

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Jaguaradams
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Bottle palm shock

Post by Jaguaradams » Tue Aug 21, 2012 5:30 pm

My large bottle palm is in transplant shock, traveled from florida to Idaho in July. Leaves are fading fast and the spear that was already pushed out and ready to open is not looking very good. I've been giving her Superthrive once a week. Any tips to help keep it alive.
Thanks



lucky1
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Post by lucky1 » Tue Aug 21, 2012 8:24 pm

I'm probably the last person to help...I lost a big one last month after 4 years.

A photo would help.

When was it repotted? i.e. why would it have transplant shock from just travelling?

Hope we can help.
And welcome to the forum.

Barb
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Post by Jaguaradams » Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:37 pm

It was shipped bare root and spent 7 days in the box to get here, it also was hot on its way here. It weighs 75 lbs , 6 ft tall with a large bottle formed at the bottom. I put it into the pot as soon as it arrived 1 month ago. 2 fronds pluse the spear was kinked at the top. They are dying after the kink and starting to turn black on the stems. The 1 spear thats not kinked is starting to look fried in spots but still lots of green. I spayed it with copper spray. Do spears grow fast in these or are they slow to sprout new spear. All my other palms push spears fast. My Washingtonia has pushed 6 fronds since unwrapping it from its winter protection cover. Thanks for the reply Barb. I have seen all your posts and pics of your palms. This new bottle palm has me stressed. Hope it makes it with winter on its way. I got a large t5 grow light for it to go into the heated garage for winter. I can try to get pics tomorrow.

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Post by lucky1 » Wed Aug 22, 2012 12:57 pm

I cringed when reading your explanation. :?

Shipped bareroot during hot conditions for 7 days...what "nursery" on earth would do THAT?????!!!!! Brutal.
And kinked / blackening spear and leaves isn't a good sign.

I can't imagine the roots were still hydrated after a 7 day trip when you potted it up.
you probably soaked the root zone in water/superthrive in a big garbage bucket for an hour or two before potting up.
But if you didn't...don't unpot it now.
It's been through enough already.

The copper was good but I doubt it had any waterstress/fungus...quite the opposite.

If--and it's definitely a long shot--it recovers in the next month or two in warm SHADY area, I wouldn't stress it further by putting it in a cold but heated garage.

Bottle palms are touchy, definitely a warmth loving palm with some humidity (but mine didn't like direct sunlight ever).

Sounds crazy for me to be offering advice since mine's now dead...
Mine only pushed two fronds annually.

I'll look forward to your posting a pic.

Sounds like your other palms are growing fabulously...

Fingers crossed for it.
Barb
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Post by Jaguaradams » Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:27 pm

Hi Barb.
I see your point, I never should have ordered it. I guess I will just see what happens with it. Luckily it was only 150.
Dollar lesson for me. I did find a place in Cali that ships all palms in there pots. A little more money but in the end it's
worth it.
Thanks again

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Post by lucky1 » Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:46 pm

If you're looking for a California nursery with an impeccable reputation, try Phil Bergman at Jungle Music.
If he did the phytosanitary certificate (for cross-border orders), he's the only one I'd buy from.
Alas, no.
But Americans don't need a phyto from him.

Don't give up on your current one.
Just keep it in the shade, but warm, and mist the fronds twice a day.
Even 3 times a day.

Mine rotted at the roots after 4 years (after I figured I knew how much to water it...go figure!).
The soil mixture is the secret, must be very very well draining.
Water has to run out of the bottom almost as fast as you apply it to the soil.

I meant to make a comment about your bottle palms fronds/spear arriving kinked.
it was bad enough that it was shipped bare root, but the bad thing is that "This side up" was obviously not on the box.
And there should've been some kind of think wooden "slat" restraint gently wrapped to the root ball (the length of the fronds) to prevent the box--if inverted--from crushing the spears and fronds.

But good nurseries know that.
Phil's reputation is that of a very fine nursery.

And, no, I don't get a kick-back :lol: :lol: :lol:

BTW, where are you located? Iowa? near Jim's Fairfield location?

Barb
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Post by Jaguaradams » Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:43 pm

Yes, Jungle Music is the place I found. Wish I'd ordered through them. If this one doesn't make it I will try the Bottle/spindle cross from them. More cold hardy but looks like a bottle. My wish list of palms keeps growing. I like the Bismark palm they sell there too.

No, I never give up on my palms. I will do all I can till the end!! I live just outside of Boise Idaho "Eagle". My Pindo,Windmill,Washy, mediterranean fan and needle palms are all doing great. My Triangle palm is loving being out side and there is a 1 ft spear pushing. But she comes in the garage along with my Robellini, sago ,Majesty and banana.

My trip to Naples Florida 3 yrs ago made a big/expensive impact . Who died and went to heaven. Me P.S. just returned in June from a 2 week vacation in Paris France and surprised to see so many palm trees there. Very cool

I will keep a close eye on my palm and do all I can.
Thanks for the misting advice. I will mist it more often than I was doing. Morning sun but afternoon shade under an olive tree so think I will keep it in the same spot till the temps start dropping down at night. Then it's garage bound .

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Post by TerdalFarm » Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:52 pm

I will also give a testimonial to Jungle Music. They ship in pots (I've only ordered in 5 gallon pots but they do larger). They arrive fast by FedEx and are healthy. Phil cares about them and calls to ask how they are doing.

My three bottle palms were a gift from a friend. I have managed to kill most of the palms he gave me--but my three largish bottles are all doing great. I kept them in shade this summer as they got sun scorched in son last summer. (Yes, potted, but outdoors all summer, indoors in my bedroom all winter. Very hard to move.)

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Post by lucky1 » Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:35 am

Glad you still have your bottles, Erik.
And you've recovered nicely after your back surgery last year.
I will do all I can till the end!!
Attaboy...yup, you belong here :lol:

Friends were in Paris this spring and sent a couple of pics of potted palms.
They were as surprised as you to find palms--some very large--there.
If I remember where I posted the pics, will send the link.

Sorry to harp, but I think a spot in your house is warranted (versus the garage) if and when your Bottle survives.
They don't like coolish winters at all...or exhaust fumes.

Barb
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Post by Jaguaradams » Thu Aug 23, 2012 6:00 pm

Yes, inside the house would be ideal but having a spouse who is NOT as excited about palms as I am makes it a little harder. The only plant ( palm like ) in the house is a 9 ft white bird of paradise and it's only there cause it is georgous. Luckily there are 20 ft ceilings so it's safe for a while.

Compromise was I can buy any palms I like BUT they don't go in the house they can go in the 4th bay of the garage that sits empty . It can be converted Into my winter palm hut with anything I need to make it work. Pushing the issue may lead to me sleeping on a hammock between the bottle and triangle palm in the palm hut !!! No thank you.

Its sectioned off from the other garages where the cars park. Heater , 2 - 4x2 ft T5 grow lights. Fans for circulation .
And since there is no Pre nup agreement it's a compromise. haha

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Post by lucky1 » Thu Aug 23, 2012 6:16 pm

20 ft ceilings
I'd give a day's pay for that.

And your other comments explain the situation soooooooo well. :lol: :lol:
You'll just have to get W into the palm hobby...just tell her it's more fun and rewarding than whatever hobby she's into.
(Now I'm in trouble).
sleeping on a hammock
no Pre nup agreement it's a compromise. haha
Hilarious! Good man!
Barb
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Post by TerdalFarm » Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:32 pm

Too funny!
My trick with W is to take her on vacations where palms grow. Then, I tell her the palms in the bedroom all winter are a romantic remember of our vacation together. Give that a try. :lol:

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Post by Jaguaradams » Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:20 pm

Thanks, I will have to try that! but we go to Floida several times a year to visit the Inlaws and on that side , Palms are just another tree. Me being from Portland Oregon the palms are like the "mother ship calling me home". The plan is to move to
Souther Florida in the next 5 yrs. Till then I just keep buying palms and kill them with kindness . Oooppps I'm still learning.

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Post by TerdalFarm » Fri Aug 24, 2012 4:22 am

I'm also from Portland. W is from Michigan so palms are very exotic for her.

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Post by Okanagan desert-palms » Fri Aug 24, 2012 6:50 am

Jaguardams.I don`t post as much lately but I thought this site would help your Bottle palm . I have lost a large Bottle palm due to rot in the crown" just like Barb" :oops: Hydrogen peroxide is now used on a regular basis as a spray into the spear area and in the soil to keep it free of bacteria. The tropical palms IMO need much more care for rot in the growing area than most subtropical palms in pots or in the ground summer or winter. Here is a site to see the different types of pathogens that are killers! I treat all my palms weekly with 3% hyrogen peroxide and no more compost heap for my palms 8) . Here is the recipe I use. I hope it helps your palms.
http://www.palmsonline.com.au/flex/comm ... -them/39/1
http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/ ... ening.html


John
Okanagan Palms and Tropicals
6b-7a

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Post by Jaguaradams » Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:27 am

Thanks for the hydrogen peroxide link. Sounds like a great plan.

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Post by lucky1 » Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:41 am

Yes, hydrogen peroxide is a necessity for trying to prevent fungus/rot, especially from damage during long winters under cover.
Thanks John for providing that great link again.

It will keep healthy palms healthy.
Some even let it drip/drench the soil.

Your bottle, though, was suffering from root dehydration.
Once fleshy roots dry out, there's little chance of re-hydrating them successfully, although Superthrive has always made some claims that their product can work.
Depends on the duration.

Keep us updated; I'd love to see it come back! :P
Barb
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Post by Jaguaradams » Wed Sep 19, 2012 9:20 pm

Good news. Out today looking at the bottle palm and a spear is pushing , SWEET !! It's only a 1/2 inch but it's there. So she is alive. Cool nights are starting so she has been in the palm hut at night. Misting , time and a little TLC . Thanks for the help!! :D

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Post by TerdalFarm » Thu Sep 20, 2012 4:12 am

:D
Good news indeed.

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hardyjim
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One other thing

Post by hardyjim » Thu Sep 20, 2012 8:18 am

I had never realized this before but.....this shipping bare root thing
and cool temps do not help the roots any.

I received my first 3 Trachys Nov 1 and planted one of them to be protected
for the winter...and so I didn't lose a whole winter,when I could be learning about protecting...

The other 2 palms stayed on the porch...bad idea in November,the roots were tortured by
November temps and never recovered-even inside the house,the blades on both palms never opened all winter and both died.


The one I planted( I planted 2,both palms lived)made it and is my biggest Trachy.


The moral of the story is to keep the roots warm while they recover and a heated garage may
not be enough if they are sitting on cold concrete.
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