root pruning of tropical palm trees

[Marc Suhor]

Dear forum,

I ask you to share your experiences with root pruning of (sub-) tropical palm trees. Unfortunately, due to lack of space, it is no longer possible for me to choose ever larger planters for my home-grown palms. In the past I had no problems with root pruning with the following palms: phoenix dactylifera, Canary Date palm, Washingtonia robusta, Senegalese date palm (Phoenix reclinata)

With my other palms I don't dare to prune the roots yet. When you see the damage to the leaves, it is usually too late or no longer reversible.
You may have already pruned the roots of the following palms or have the knowledge/experience to prune the roots of such palms:
Golden fruit palm (dypsis lutescens), dwarf palm (chamaerops humilis), livistona chinensis, syagrus romanzoffiana, triangular palm (Dypsis decaryi), fishtail palm (Caryota plumosa), royal palm (roystonea regia), Ptychosperma macarthurii and Arenga porphyrocarpa.

I guess that the subtropical palm trees tolerate the cut better than their tropical counterparts.

I look forward to your comments.

Thank you!

[PalmatierMeg]

I am not sure what to tell you except as a general rule palms do not take well to root pruning. Some species are so root sensitive they keel over and die when repotted. Others may survive but go through a period of setback and sulking. If you reach a point where you can find no more larger pots and you face sending them to the compost heap you may have no choice except root pruning. Then do it carefully and sparingly. If you have multiples of a species prune just one and see how it responds.

 

[Marc Suhor]

Hello, Thank you for your comments! That is why I ask the forum for sharing the own experiences, they have made with the listed palm trees as given before. In the future I won't be able to carry the pots in and out, when I put the palms in larger pots. Not to mention the lack of space.