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Dead Phoenix Canariaris?

LeonparryLeonparry Posts: 6
in Problem solving
Hi All. 

I've had this tree about 5/6 weeks and it doesn't look great now. It was lush and green upon purchase but has deteriorated. This is my first tree so haven't got any experience as silly as it sounds. Can it be saved? The centre is still green and hanging on. Someone said been watered too much, another said not enough. 

Thanks
Leon

Posts

  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    Can you take a photo close up of the middle of the plant please?

    Did you plant it at the same level it was in its original pot? It's hard to tell from the photo and I'm on a phone screen, but it looks deep to me.

    Also, push your finger into the pot a few centimeters - is it dry, damp or wet?
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Probably much too dry for that size of pot !
    Phoenix canariensis produce large root systems , including a deep tap-root .
    It's literally being dwarfed and dessicated simultaneously .
  • LeonparryLeonparry Posts: 6
    strelitzia32 said:
    Can you take a photo close up of the middle of the plant please?

    Did you plant it at the same level it was in its original pot? It's hard to tell from the photo and I'm on a phone screen, but it looks deep to me.

    Also, push your finger into the pot a few centimeters - is it dry, damp or wet?


    I can't remember if I planted it to the same level as it came sorry! I remember it being in a small pot and the lady saying get it out as soon as possible which took me two weeks to get a pot during Covid, but it's no different if it sat in the shop unsold for 2 weeks. Thanks for your response.

    Leon
  • LeonparryLeonparry Posts: 6
    Paul B3 said:
    Probably much too dry for that size of pot !
    Phoenix canariensis produce large root systems , including a deep tap-root .
    It's literally being dwarfed and dessicated simultaneously .
    Hi Paul

    The lady who served me said remember where it comes from it doesn't need much watering, should I water regularly then? 

    Thanks
  • DevonianDevonian Posts: 176
    Bear in mind that it's in a pot, so it doesn't have the root system to find its own water like it would do in the ground. They don't like to dry out in a pot.

    In my experience, Phoenix Canariensis don't really like pots and perform much better in the ground. They are vigorous growers (depending on where you are in the country of course) in the right conditions and are surprisingly unfussy.

    It does look like yours might be too far gone, but if I were you I'd plant it out in the ground with some well-rotted organic matter mixed into the hole. Trim off all the dead foliage (it won't turn green again!) and just leave the central new growth... and see if it recovers!

    Might be worth getting hold of some Palm Focus food to, just to help it establish itself. 2-3 thorough waterings a week during dry weather should do the trick in normal circumstances for the first year or so.
  • LeonparryLeonparry Posts: 6
    Devonian said:
    Bear in mind that it's in a pot, so it doesn't have the root system to find its own water like it would do in the ground. They don't like to dry out in a pot.

    In my experience, Phoenix Canariensis don't really like pots and perform much better in the ground. They are vigorous growers (depending on where you are in the country of course) in the right conditions and are surprisingly unfussy.

    It does look like yours might be too far gone, but if I were you I'd plant it out in the ground with some well-rotted organic matter mixed into the hole. Trim off all the dead foliage (it won't turn green again!) and just leave the central new growth... and see if it recovers!

    Might be worth getting hold of some Palm Focus food to, just to help it establish itself. 2-3 thorough waterings a week during dry weather should do the trick in normal circumstances for the first year or so.
    Thanks for the reply. That's guttering to hear as not sure where we would plant it it just yet. Trim off the leaves right at the base of each one? 

    What do you mean well rotted organic matter mixed? Sorry. How deep does it need to be based on the photos provided? 

    Thank you
  • DevonianDevonian Posts: 176
    Sorry to disappoint you! That's only my experience though (when I say don't really like, I mean not as much as if they're in the ground!) I know many have had success with growing them in pots - try reading up here: https://www.amateurgardening.com/top-tips/ornamental/palm-in-a-pot-4188

    I think you'll probably need at the very least to plant it in a bigger pot...

    Where I am in South Devon, these palms grow pretty fast so a pot isn't really ideal as it'll outgrow it too quickly. Where are you in the UK? Not sure how well these grow further north... there are dozens around here, some of which are 20ft high or more!

    Yes, trim the leaves off at the base as close to the trunk as you can get (you can see where this has been done before, on the lower part of the trunk).

    Well-rotted organic matter = compost, manure etc! If you can get hold of some manure to mix in with the compost it would be really helpful as it holds onto the moisture for longer (multi-purpose compost on its own can dry out pretty quickly in a pot).

    This site looks useful too: http://architecturalplants.com/plants/id/phoenix-canariensis

    All the best!
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