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A Few Palm Tree Questions

themanfromvolantisthemanfromvolantis Posts: 44
in Problem solving
Hi. Any palm experts on here? 

I have some questions....

1) 

I have 2 small phoenix canariensis....

(Getting deja-vu here so sorry if i have already posted this) 

One from B&Q - It was in a tiny pot and the roots were wrapping round themselves inside. I soaked the roots over night hoping they would straighten a bit. 

Then i put the palm in a tall pot (2 flower-stand buckets cobbled together) but it didn't seem to grow. 

It's since been put in a normal tall pot and spent most of the winter in the house. 

Could anyone tell me if it's dead or alive please? 





2) Phoenix Canariensis 2 

This one is from Homebase and is slighy larger. It wasn't as root bound as the one from B&Q but i put it in a larger pot anyway. 

The soil around the new pot now has little strands poking up. I assume these are part of the root? 

Does it need a bigger pot again already? 



Not the best photo for showing the little strands but it gives you an idea of the plant and pot size. 

3) How come palms/ferns/gunnera etc all come in such tiny pots at garden centres? 

Surely that can't be good for them can it? 

4) How long do palms take to grow into tree size? Say 8ft tall? And assume ideal conditions. While it's nice to see them develop and grow, i'm 46 now, so i want to see them tree size in my life time ideally. 


I also have a Washingtonia Robusta which appears to be doing ok. I'll put a photo up later. 

Posts

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Using the magnifier on my computer , the 'white-strands' appear to be roots on the surface of the soil .
    Quite honestly , P .canariensis is not ideal for indoor cultivation ; do you intend planting them outdoors ? They soon make a substantial root-system ; you'll need to re-pot every few months until they attain unmanageable proportions !
    On a nearby road , someone years ago planted one in front of their bungalow . In spite of its somewhat incongruous appearance , it grew rapidly to around 12' tall and nearly as many across .
    The winter of 2009/10 demolished it , with several nights fluctuating at around -14 C !!(the wind chill made it even worse)!!
    The Palm Centre describe it as a good 'beginners' palm , fairly rapid growing and able to withstand moderately hard-frosts in a sheltered garden . A year like that , and last years 'Beasts' would normally lead to their demise .
    Unless you reside in a mild area of the UK , and are fortunate enough to have a very suitable position in your garden , it may be best to keep 'potting-on' until the sheer weight of the plants/containers becomes prohibitive .
    For the time being , at least you'll be able to keep bringing them indoors during severe spells !
    Good luck !!

    PS Picture 1 ; the plant is not dead , just showing the symptoms of the 'expertise' of the usual B & Q staff ! :o

  • themanfromvolantisthemanfromvolantis Posts: 44
    Thank you. Lol at B&Q staff. Then my own "expertise". Like being rescued by Frank Spencer. 

    I do intend to plant them out at some point in their and my lifetime. 

    I live in Worcester in UK so not a tropical climate by any means but neither is it Aberdeen etc 

    I best get number 2 into a larger pot then when the weather warms up a bit. 

    Thanks for the reply. 
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