All Things Must Pass

[WestCoastGal]

Darold, what exactly did you mean by excessive flowering in your case? Curious what kind of flowering is typical for that species? I could see an ill palm trying to put out as many flowers/seeds as possible as a defense mechanism to keep the species going.

I don't remember where I read about this but came across a comment about soil sterilization of fungi using either chemicals or I thought solar heating. It was an article concerning palm diseases though. Wondered if that meant covering the ground with plastic for a period of time. The article never explained. I can't imagine you get much full sun up where you are though.

Someone mentioned above about the fungus that causes trunk rot and I was wondering if you had seen any stem bleeding on your palm?

[WestCoastGal]

Found this on solarizing soil, not specifially related to palms at all but assume this was what they were referring to in the article I mentioned I saw. http://www.thisland.illinois.edu/57ways/57ways_15.html

Aside from removing a lot of soil from a palm trunk hole and solarizing it at ground level, not sure how it could be done though. How deep were the roots? Dave's Garden had an article on sterilizing soil including solarizing soil and gave the temps needed to be reached for different kinds of pathegons, etc.

[sarasota alex]

Once after ordering from Floribunda I wrote an email to Jeff Marcus asking for his advice on the soil chemistry among other things. See I was so concerned about giving every palm the best environment. Jeff answered my questions, but the first line in his email read: "Alex... you must not over think this!"

And that was a great advice! I didn't. A couple of years later 16 out of 18 palms are thriving! Now I am not saying that it's not important to approach palm growing scientifically, but one must not over think for sure IMHO.

For example I used to measure my fertilizer exactly with a calculator and a measuring cup. Now I just intuitively throw it around. I can't really say that I see much difference.

[Josue Diaz]

I had the pleasure of visiting Darold last month. I am now the proud owner of an offspring from this palm. The note on the tag says 02/2014 so I'm assuming it was found as the old palm was being taken out.

[Darold Petty]

Josue's seedling is a volunteer, from a seed in the mulch that had escaped my notice !  I am pleased to report that I installed a Dypsis baronii in this spot, it is growing very well with no signs of disease. 

Bad news, however, about the Cordyline indivisa.  It was killed by gopher attack from below.  The first evidence of trouble was when the plant listed over at a 45 degree angle.  The vendor (Cistus ) no longer had any replacement plants.

  I am now reduced to growing C. indivisa from seed,  I have several plants with foliage approximately 2 mm wide and 4cm tall !