Bottle Palm trunk split

[lucky1]

While cutting old spent leaves today, discovered this:



Anybody know what can cause this? Wind? (It's outdoors all summer)
Think it'll survive?
Looks like a pretty deep gash, deeper than the leaf base that's still half green.


Barb

[hardyjim]

No worries,that shouldn't be a problem.

Bananas,cactus etc,will do that,most of the time it's because of a lot of or/to much water.

[BILL MA]

I'm wondering if that's how they deboot themselves? I hope so, I bet it is.

keep us updated though.

Bill

[lucky1]

how they deboot themselves?

That occurred to me too Bill, but the split is thicker than a spent leaf, it's almost a quarter of an inch deep (into the next "layer").
The cut was hidden under a spent leaf.

Jim, that sounds encouraging.
But internet sites report that damage to a palm trunk usually means death.
trunks don't grow "outward" with growth rings like trees do.

I hope it's just a sign of its trunk increasing in size.

Thanks guys.
Barb

[BILL MA]

Can you post a upright picture of it?

[lucky1]

Bottle palm (spindle palm at right).
Nice new spear about 3 feet long coming on the bottle palm.

Trunk "split" barely evident in this shot.
But it is fairly deep.

[BILL MA]

I think it will be ok, just let it do it's thing and hope for the best.

Bill

[lucky1]

great, thanks.
I'll keep an eye on it.
Barb

[lucky1]

Looks like you folks were correct.
It must be how they deboot, just strange it was two layers at one time.

A new leaf has emerged.


Split hasn't closed, but it's green now.


Excuse the hatchet job of trimming.
Barb

[BILL MA]

Good deal Barb! That new leaf is going to be a beauty too.

Bill

[lucky1]

Glad to be reassured the split wasn't serious.

Bottle palms don't have a large number of leaves, usually just 3 - 5, and this one is pretty indeed. Thanks!
Barb

[TerdalFarm]

Barb,
I can't remember seeing this palm of yours before. I guess I don't know what all you have. I know you have a triangle palm, but I didn't know about this one. I'm sure you have a bunch of other cool plants.
I know you're busy now, but when you have time, can you share a photo show of all your palms? --Erik

[lucky1]

Thanks for your interest Erik.

Have had the Hyophorbe lagenicaulis for, I believe, two years (or maybe 3?).

We could do a topic in September showing all our palms and how they've fared this summer.
Barb

[TerdalFarm]

Barb,
that sounds like fall fun.
We're all busy now. I thought we were going to get a big rain today so I put out fertilizer this morning, but the rain all evaporated before it hit the ground so I have to go out and water....
--Erik

[lucky1]

Too bad your rain didn't materialize, Erik.
But without watering, fertilizer causes burn.

Have you ever considered installing a microjet irrigation system?
Not expensive, but it sure saves time moving sprinklers around.
Polytube hose, you can even leave it near the surface for ease of Fall blow-out (or gravity drain it with an end cap).
Microjet emitters (atop 6-inch risers that are screwed into the polytube hose) are spaced according to where your plants are, a real custom fit.

You can put a hose attachment at one end, even join some with tees and turn-ons, and presto, just turn on the supply line.

Might free up some time for you to go buy more palms

Barb

[Okanagan desert-palms]

Barb nice to see it doing well. I wish mine was still around. If I ever find another one I`ll put it with all my other finicky winter house plants and take care of it.



John

[lucky1]

What a shame yours didn't survive, John.
It was in a great spot, with that huge two-storey window for good light levels and high ceiling.