Kentia Frond Length

[Ashton]

I planted about a dozen 10' trunk height Kentias in April 2005. The were all field grown in San Diego and had many wonderfully long fronds. A year later the fronds are fewer but more disconcerting is the fact that they seem to be growing out significantly shorter.

Is this common after a transplant of this palm or might it have more to do with being planted close to the structure and roof of my home, versus growing in a field being loosely surrounded by other palms?

ashton

[MattyB]

I have seen shorter fronds also on transplants.  Less roots = less foliage.  Kentias are real tough.  Give them a few years and they should be pumpin' again.

[quaman58]

Ashton,

Like Matt said, it's pretty common on transplants. I've also noticed it on some plants as a seasonal thing, like on a Howea belmoreana & a Spindle palm I've got. Every year, late spring, I can expect a couple short, stumpy fronds. They'll grow out of it..

B/R's

Bret

[Stan]

I think its a very good sign smaller fronds is the only result of uprooting large Kentias. And 10 out of 10 survival?..pretty good. Now that it is warm, fertilize and water extra heavy to push them  in growth.

[Mohsen]

After 2 years all my Kentia s having shorter fronds ...my guess is they were in more shade so fronds were reaching for lights and that's why longer but now they are under more sun ...

[dwimss]

I think you right Mohsen in shade they have much bigger fronds. I noticed the same with my livistona chinensis and probably the same for other Palms sp.