Pygmy Date Palm

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 11:17 pm

Back in it's corner for the Winter, Going to try to keep it in permanently now.

It got beat up this summer from the grasshoppers, hail, and winds

Getting some new spears tho

~ Steve

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 6:51 pm

Looking good

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 7:15 pm

Thanks,
Was going to string some lights on it for Xmas but that idea got voted down......
Maybe next year when it's taller

~ Steve

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 7:07 am

The Pygmy Date Palm looks good to me. If it helps, I vote for stringing Xmas lights on the PR. I like look and I'll be lighting mine up this year. I also have a Queen Palm thats about 8' tall that I will be lighting up.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:16 am

Maybe my vision is clouded, but I just can't see the sense in dragging out the plastic pine tree and assembling it.
I'll get them around to my way of thinking yet...Or maybe just misplace the tree in a box

oppalm - How fast is your Queen growing? If you get a chance post some pictures.

~ Steve

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 7:27 pm

It still looks good despite the damage that it took.

Allen

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:28 pm

I feel lucky to have found this one, Came from WalMart in a 5 gallon last March. Nothing seems to slow it down either.
( I Really should find a better planter, That is the grass catcher attachment off of the mower

~ Steve

ryan · Post by **ryan** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:44 pm

That is a nice looking palm. I sowed several pygmy date palms in spring and each one had two leaves and then the squirrels found them. I don't have any date palms anymore. They also took about 10 fortunei seedlings.

Okanagan desert-palms · Post by **Okanagan desert-palms** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:24 pm

Steve very nice Pygmy date palm. They are so easy to look after indoors.
John

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 7:38 am

These do seem easy indoors, This is in a shady corner so I have a 100W compact flourescent for supplemental light. Seems to be all it needs to stay happy.

Been having good luck inside with Chinese Windmills too ( Livistona chinensis), These seem to do good in a shady spot.

Ryan - Ouch, That hurts

I haven't had too many problems with squirrels but I do have a turkey problem.
Every year in October a flock will show up. If their hungry they will start pulling up most everything in the yard. Usually I just leave the dog out but it's been a little cold so everything important is covered in chicken wire.

still trying to get a good picture of them...

~ Steve

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:24 am

Knnn- I've had my queen palms 2 years, it has about doubled in size. Picture posted below along with pictures of others.

It gives you an idea of my collection. now its a matter of keeping it all alive for the next 6 months.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:41 am

That is a Great Looking Collection!, I like the landscaping too.
Thanks for the pictures!
Have two Queen Palm seedlings that are just starting to pick up speed now, Hopefully to look like yours one day

~ Steve

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 7:28 am

I had my PDP in the basement since bringing it in for the winter (Nov.) and it was by a window on the north side of the house and getting litlle light.
It was putting on new spears regulartly and I was VERY happy and was surprising me that with so lil light, it was still growing. Of the five trees, the tallest is about 2 1/2' trunk, smallest 1' trunk.
Earlier this week thou, I noticed that even thou it was putting out new spears regularly, it's older existing fronds were drooping to the floor.
I brought it up and put in front of a west face window. With in 6 hours, the fronds were a foot off the ground. Today, their is not a frond within 1 1/2 from the ground. I HAVE MY PDP BACK

PALMETTOMAN · Post by **PALMETTOMAN** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 3:18 pm

Kansas,

Sounds like you have a green thumb!

The basement really sucks as a place to overwinter any plants.......except cactus...

Palmettoman z6-Ajax, On

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 3:58 pm

I know, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS EARLIER

But this hobby, from what have learned in the year I have been in it is a learn as you go haobby.

PALMETTOMAN · Post by **PALMETTOMAN** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 4:15 pm

Kansas,

We learn as we grow..whoops go..!

I found out the hard way with some lime tree's...

Basements are funny....If you have a window and get sun and proper ventilation it can be okay...maybe till February.

But other than creating your own humidity you are at the mercy of central heating...

My ponytails, cactus, some yuccas, aloe tree's and musa's are okay...its the palms and other cold hardys and not so cold hardy's that dry up quick...

Palmettoman z6-Ajax, On

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:57 pm

That me and the Pygmy Date Palm have been together

Has done really well inside, Seems to be at the point now where at least 2 spears are opening at the same time.

tropicman · Post by **tropicman** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:28 am

Steve,
I bought mine at Walmart as well,but it came 3 in a pot ,not single like yours,I think they are to big to seperate,and with
3 in a pot,it will probably take some time for them to grow.
Has anybody seen any good size with these 3 in a pot,as far as getting any trunk size to them?
If you have any pics,would like to see them.
Yours is looking pretty good,are you thinking about removing the pup?
Don

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:02 pm

Don,

Wal Mart in Salina just brought some in, some doubles & triples. The largest one had 1'+ of trunk ( think around $26.00 ea)

Mine has 2 other smaller ones in with it ( sort of hidden in the foliage) Just going to let them go and decide later. The ones I have in deeper containers seem to do better than the ones in stardard sizes....This one is still potted up in the grass catcher bin off the mower

( about 3' deep, The mower seized up last Fall anyways so maybe I will just build a wooden box around this for a nicer look )

Steve

tropicman · Post by **tropicman** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:41 pm

Haven't been able to find just one in a pot here,at any of the nurseries or Walmarts.
I think 3 in a container takes away some of the beauty of this palm.
Now if I could plant it in the ground,I wouldn't mind the 3 together,but still would like a nice size one in a container!
My search continues!!!

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 7:27 am

Therer is a Nursery here in Topeka that sells singles. However they are not very big, maybe 9" of trunk at the most and they are VERY proud of them. I think they are like $25 or something.

tropicman · Post by **tropicman** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 7:44 am

Nine inch trunk,for 25 bucks, well worth it to me,can you imagine how long it would take to grow a nine inch trunk?
I think were talking several years here,thats a lot of taking care of,well for me anyways!!!

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:37 pm

They are named "Jackson's Greenhouse" in Topeka.
I bet they will ship, they are really nice folks. I do still hope to come down to Wichita in a week or so to trade you some stuff.

tropicman · Post by **tropicman** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 5:21 pm

Ok,let me know when!

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 1:44 pm

Tropicman...Don,
Heres one I picked up yesterday. A double with both trunks the same size, should keep a nice look.

These seem to be field dug and then shipped up here, Hopefully this one won't go into too much of a decline... I'll keep a look out for a single to send your way.

tropicman · Post by **tropicman** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:53 pm

Steve,

Hey,those are real nice,lots of new growth,looks equally balanced as well.
Thanks

My Walmart has some in too,$13.84,10 inch container!

Don

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:27 am

These were in a 12" for $26.88, a little pricey ( by my standards at least

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 11:47 am

I don't have any more room for palms. I sure wish the temps would get nice so I can start moving stuff outside. My wife is getting grumpy because I got plants all over the house in front of the windows. I don't know how much more she can take. I may have to kick her out. LOL. I am definetly going to have to get a temporary greenhouse structure for next winter. I think I found a way around our neighborhood rules and regulations concerning stand alone structures. I can't find anything in the regs about a temporary structure. Nobody has said a word about my small palm hut this year, in fact, my neighbors on both sides have said it's cool with them. We'll see what happens.

tropicman · Post by **tropicman** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:00 pm

You know those 10x10 gazebos with the built in shade screens,that that the box stores and lumber yard store where selling for a round $119 bucks,can you put one of those on your property then throw a plastic covering over it for winter use???

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:11 pm

My latest addition has become the center piece on my dining room table till at least Easter.
( Some of the lower fronds are browning out from stress, soon I will be able to cut these off so we can at least sit at the table again too

Would the HFGH be considered portable/temporary since it can be picked up and moved?
Sounds like you have decent neighbors. Keeping them happy will help a lot, you can always offer to grow them some Palms or get an early start on their garden plants.

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:35 pm

My PDP that has 5 in a pot and range from 2 1/2' trunk to 1 1/2' trunk has began to droop again. I watered in very well but still is drooping. I noticed some of the leafs are drooping over the other side of the trunk (trunk is leaning so much that fronds on the other side of the lean are leaning across the trunk).
I am wondering if I shouild do some haircutting on them???? They are all green and I know you shouldn't cut green fronds off, but they are drooping BAD.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:40 pm

That seems to be doing close to the same thing as yours ?
Just tied together a little frame of bamboo pieces to hold the fronds up out of the way. I generally don't like to trim anything until it has browned out completely. If it is still green it is still providing energy to the plant. If you do need to trim, try to wait until Spring / Summer.

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:47 am

Well I tried something else and had kinda half-N-half luck.
That last snow storm we had a couple weeks ago, well I went out and scooped up a huge water jug (10 gallon) of snow and let it melt. I took that water and watered the #@$& out of it. This morning I woke up to look at it and it did spring back to life with no fronds touching the floor again. However, the fronds do still look like they are wilted and dry. Since I watered it last night and no sun got to it, maybe today when the Sun comes out and hits it, they will perck up.
But I think I might go ahead and do the "tie up" thing you posted thou Steve. Just to keep them up.

Okanagan desert-palms · Post by **Okanagan desert-palms** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:36 pm

Kansas I`ve had similar problems with Pygmy dates. They seem to decline when they are root bound,lack of light, not proper nutrients. I would transplant your Pygmy into a larger pot soon ,as by the time spring rolls around the roots will be expanding. Just something that has worked for me.
John

Laaz · Post by **Laaz** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:27 pm

I generally don't like to trim anything until it has browned out completely

I have heard many people say this. I ALWAYS trim the lower fronds 2-3 times a year. It seems to force the tree to grow faster to replace the fronds. I have always done this & have never seen any ill effects...

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:28 pm

Tropicman - I have thought about those and I have one we use for camping etc. I have thought about how I can enclose it for winter and have determined that a clear solar pool cover might be the ticket.

Steve - the HFGH is still an option. I think I can make that work but I am not sure the 6X8 is big enough and I think the 10X12 is too big to hide. I got time to think about it and I'll figure something out before next fall. It will give me something to think about for the next 6 months.

tropicman · Post by **tropicman** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 9:10 pm

There is another option,being we live in the wheat state,and there is lots of bales of straw,if they wouldn't mind a few bales of straw on your property,in fact it could look like your just keeping the moisture off your stored straw bales,that you use for mulch.
Anyway,build a straw greenhouse and throw a couple fiberglass panels over the top,and then throw a plastic covering over it all,just make it look like your storing bales of straw. Use a oil filled raditior for heat,no chance of catching on fire!

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 4:44 am

Thats almost exactly what I was going to do.
My G-Pa is a Dairy Farmer (90 years old and been a Dairy Farmer for 70 years) and will give me bales.
I was going to do the "Straw Bale Greenhouse" thing next year on one of my palms. Don't know which one.
I plan on the Robusta making it this winter with the wrap. So this Spring, I hope to put a Butia and a Fortunei in the ground. And the "Straw Bale Greenhouse" will go on one of those two.

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 6:11 am

the bales of hay is a great idea, but I am going with some portable pre-made greenhouse structure. I have actually seen a greenhouse made of hay bales on some website. They had a whole pictorial on construction and such, it was pretty cool.

PalmsNorth.com

Pygmy Date Palm

Pygmy Date Palm

Hmm...

Thanks for the comments,

Low maintenance

Low maintenance

picture of my palms and such

That is a Great Looking Collection!

PDP-

GRN thumb

Coming up on our first aniversary.....

Pygmy Date Palms

Wal Mart Pygmy Date's

Oppalm,

I Have One....

Root bound?

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