PalmsNorth.com

Hey buddy, A while back you gave me one Spindel that had just popped and put out it's first leaf.
Since I got it home, it has really taken off. I was wondering if you could post a pic of it's brothers & sisters so I can compare. Thanks.

Here's a couple that should be bigger, ( I forget about them, and they were shaded out most of last summer. getting more sun now and growth is picking up.




Here are a couple of the Trachy seedlings you sent my way. Still chugging along





Steve

Thanks. My Spindle that you gave me looks like it is doing a bit better than brother & sister, but WOW the brother & sister of the trachy I gave you, WOW. Mine has Frost Heev (sp?) HORRIBLE and the leaves are tiny.
What should I do with the Trachy? Should I repot this Spring or just let it go????
Spindle


Trachy

Is it my dirty glasses...or is the trachy (last pic) planted sideways?
Barb

Nope, not planted that way. If you look close, you will notice that the leaf (s) on the left side are straight up.
Trachycarpus have a trait in some that is called "SFH" which stands for "Slope Frost Heave". Which is exactly what it means. These palms are from the part of the world that gets LOTS of cold weather. Some Trachycarpus grow like this as a vigorously sideways creeping stem, believed to be a adaptation for fast anchorage to a slope were frost heaving could cause fatal root shearing.
Some believe this to also add to the hardiness, but I am not sure about that.

Wes, Mine seem to decline all Summer, then only start looking good again once the temps drop. ( been thinking about moving these inside for the Summer

I would be inclined to re pot yours, they also seem to grow a little better at this age with about 50% shade.



Steve

Wes thanks for that very thorough explanation...I had heard the term, but have never seen an example of it.
Barb