31 year old bonsai'd Trachy undergoes more stress

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:14 pm

Remember I had this planted in the ground last summer, then chickened out and dug it up.
Last Fall's pot wasn't deep enough.
So 2 days ago into a garbage can it went.

I'll NEVER NEVER buy even a garbage can from China again.
Flimsy piece of $#*&^%$

I tried to lift it by handles and wiggling it down, probing with a piece of rebar to get it to pop out again.
Didn't work.

One good thing is the quantity of healthy roots it has grown.

Good this Trachy can't talk.
I'd get an earful

Barb

macario · Post by **macario** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:51 pm

sorry to see that. Have a different pot in mind for next time?

taylor · Post by **taylor** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:47 pm

Could you possibly get a barrel (Yes...like the plastic beer kegs) for free anywhere around you? Cut the top off, holes in bottom, nice pot!

Good luck!

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:42 am

Haven't yet found anything bigger than a garbage can.
I need to find an older sturdier plastic can that wasn't made in China!

Beer keg? had a look, smaller than what I'm using and they're metal here.
There's also a $30 deposit on them plus the cost of beer, ha ha

The huge beautiful palm planters in shopping malls are $250 to $350! I passed.
Barb

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:56 am

Hey Barb ... what are you eventual plans for this palm so it won't have to endure another hardship?

Cheers, Barrie.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:08 am

Barrie, good question.

My dream (*poof*) is to build a house with an attached greenhouse/palmhouse (none of which is possible at current location).
Any bets on what'll occur first: lottery win or trachy demise?

Barb

macario · Post by **macario** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:55 pm

I would be interested in seeing if the palm was planted in the ground some place warmer, would it start growing normal or would it stay small perminantly. Then I would also be curious as to would offspring from that little guy be small also

Okanagan desert-palms · Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:53 pm

Barb sorry to see what happened to your Trachy. If you want large plastic pots go to Growers supply Co.in Kelowna on Acland Rd. near reids corner I got lots of 30 ga sturdy nursery pots for 5.68 ea. They have even larger pots than this. Hope that Trachy makes it.

John

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:35 pm

Jeez, my husband's fav store...funny he hasn't mentioned they have big pots

hmmmm

Emergency over...found an old made in Canada garbage can.
It's settled far enough in this one that adventitious roots can again develop.

Mike, I don't have an answer to your question, but I bet its offspring would be tough little beggars.
Barb

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:21 am

I know what I'd do.

I'd plant it and construct a protective enclosure for it during winter, one that can be dismantled in spring. I am crazy though

Cheers, Barrie.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:48 am

Yup, that could be done, Barrie.
But what's the answer when it grows to 10, 12 or 20 feet ? then what?

I know...I know...you'd then have me buy a grain silo and convert it into a palm house

Barb

PS--if you ever want a "working holiday" in the Okanagan, let me know Barrie!

macario · Post by **macario** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:07 am

Who knows barb after 30 + years you may have perma bonsai'd it. Maybe it will stay short.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:10 pm

Yes, maybe.

It's already sulking a bit...one frond just opened with only a 6-inch stem, one longer spear is shooting up, and yet another short spear just peaking up ready to follow.

Here's the long spear with just the tip of the next spear showing at bottom.

Barb

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:16 pm

Barb, "A working holiday" ... I have one here anytime I'm off work, thanks anyway

Cheers, Barrie.

nucci60 · Post by **nucci60** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:15 pm

luky one, I feel your pain. I have a 7 1/2 foot med. fan palm (chamaerops humilis) that I have owned for 38 years. I t is currently in a 24" pot and I can barely move it now.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:20 pm

Well, hallelujaah, I'm not the only one!

Got any pics you can post?
I'd love to see it.

Wow...in a 24 inch pot. How'd you manage to keep it in that small a container?

When I repotted mine into its (final) garbage can

, had to keep removing soil because the rootball completely fills the
can, hardly any soil added.
Barb

nucci60 · Post by **nucci60** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:57 pm

It has been in this pot for about 8 years. I trim the roots every few years and repot. If I could find a GREAT home for it , I would donate it.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:10 pm

Are there any Trachys that survive outdoors in mild areas in Ma?
Barb

nucci60 · Post by **nucci60** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:29 pm

I just uncovered my 5 gallon trachy that has been in the ground one winter. The spear is fine, but much damage to existing leaves. I am in zone 6. I have a 5 gallon Trachy "waggie" I may try but I would hate to lose it. I may have to stick with basjoo bananas for a tropical look. My little 3 gallon needle palm overwintered splendidly for two winters.

nucci60 · Post by **nucci60** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:32 pm

I don't know about trachys , but Med. fan palms can live in pots forever. If you go on ebay now though, you will see big trachys for sale in pots that are not that large. I looked at them today.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:04 pm

I'd still like to see some pics, nucci60, is the 5 gall trachy in an enclosure near the house to protect it more?
or out in the open?

Good that the spear is fine, if damaged fronds are removed, it'll burst new fronds.

I wouldn't risk your Waggie either without a bulletproof enclosure and supplemental heat next winter.

Barb

nucci60 · Post by **nucci60** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:26 pm

sorry,I am low tech and don't even own a digital camera. I had the trachy in a leaf enclosure wrapped with landscape cloth. I covered it on cold nights with a trash barrel cover. Used wilt prf on it nd it still burned. Maybe it will pick up this summer. i read about that lady growing Butia in zone 4 with simple encloseres and a couple of lights and it gives me inspiration.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:37 pm

It's OK about no digital camera...just easier to see what's up with a plant.
Was the trachy against the house/fence or out in the open?
The reason your spear is healthy is because you covered it. Congrats on that!
What were your minimum temps?

I can tell you're going to dig out Xmas lights long before the festive season next winter! Attaboy!
Just don't use LED lights...no heat emitted.
Also don't put them TOO CLOSE (don't wrap them around trunk) because of burn.

Lots of time to discuss your options before Fall.

BTW if a friend or neighbor has a digital, Nucci, he'd probably be thrilled to show you how to use and borrow it for posting.
And we'll help whenever we can.
If I can post a picture, a three-legged dog can.

The folks on Palms North are so encouraging, you'll be amazed at what you're doing in no time!

Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:18 am

Good luck, Barb!

Dean

PalmsNorth.com

31 year old bonsai'd Trachy undergoes more stress

31 year old bonsai'd Trachy undergoes more stress

Damn

Palm

Palm