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Majestic Palms - How to encorage new fronds to open


Ken A

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How can we help otherwise heathy palm fronds open? Mine seem to get long but take forever to open - perhaps 3-4 months after maximum length obtained. Temperature 80-90+ degrees F, good sunlight with western exposure.

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My Kentias are taking forever to open, with some spears "glued" together. I've been spraying the spears weekly with Neem Oil, and they seem to be opening as a result.

For the most part, I don't think your supposed to force the issue with them. The first fronds after winter are always goofy... pushing out open, spear doesn't want to open, etc. Mine are still affected by last year's freeze, and each trunk is one ugly leaf and a spear.

Zone 9b/10a, Sunset Zone 22

7 miles inland. Elevation 120ft (37m)

Average annual low temp: 30F (-1C)

Average annual rainfall: 8" (20cm)

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How can we help otherwise heathy palm fronds open? Mine seem to get long but take forever to open - perhaps 3-4 months after maximum length obtained. Temperature 80-90+ degrees F, good sunlight with western exposure.
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Thanks for the information and suggestion... I will search & find our what "neem oil" is. Typically, I only get over winter spears like you described & they take until winter to open leaving an ugly trunk with just one or two pretty fronds until Sept-Oct. so they can look good in the garage over winter!

I am hoping to get some more feedback in addition to what you have offered as well!

Ken A

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I'm not sure where I got the idea to try a horticultural oil... possibly from this forum. Volk or any horticultural oil would work just as well. I'm positive my kentia spears opening is from the oil.

I'm sure others will share advice and experience. I wouldn't try manually opening the spears by hand.

Zone 9b/10a, Sunset Zone 22

7 miles inland. Elevation 120ft (37m)

Average annual low temp: 30F (-1C)

Average annual rainfall: 8" (20cm)

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Neem oil is traditionally used as an insecticide/fungicide for which it works incredilble well. It should be available at any big box like Lowe's. That is where I got mine. But, I have to think that the main ingredient needed here is plain old water.

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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Terry,Off-topic but great new Avatar.You should copyright it.

What you look for is what is looking

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Bubba - I can't because it's an actual gas station sign. I drove by it one day and thought "hey, that's my new avatar!."

Zone 9b/10a, Sunset Zone 22

7 miles inland. Elevation 120ft (37m)

Average annual low temp: 30F (-1C)

Average annual rainfall: 8" (20cm)

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I think you just let them open on their own.

Coastal San Diego, California

Z10b

Dry summer subtropical/Mediterranean

warm summer/mild winter

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Anytime I get a spear that wont open, I attribute it to "growing a larger ring" in the ringed trunk species. It seems like sometimes my palms will get a wild hair and grow a really long spear, and it just wont open, then when that same frond gets removed, the ring it forms is usually a little wider. (yes ive spent the time to test this, bored i suppose)

Allen

Galveston Island Tx

9a/9b

8' Elevation

Sandy Soil

Jan Avgs 50/62

Jul Avgs 80/89

Average Annual Rainfall 43.5"

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