Jubaean Pineapple palm

[Banana Belt]

2 hours ago, SailorBold said:

exhibit a self cleaning trunk

There is an older post from spring 2022 last year that I posted on growth rate of Jubaea with pictures of the above jubaea starting in 2006.  The graph below shows growth of this Palm.  Leaf frond stubs will stay on the Jubaea until it starts growing the trunk, when that happens the Jubaea is in its adult stage of growth and adds girth and weight rapidly kind of like many adult gentlemen.  When the trunk begins to swell and diameter expands it begins breaking the fibers that attach the leaf to the trunk similar to breaking the seams in pants when the belly expands.  This is what causes the leaf to fall away clean from the trunk.  Queen Palms and Coconut palms do the same thing.

So, leafs fall away clean after the Jubaea begins its adult trunk and waist building stage.

[SailorBold]

On 10/4/2023 at 11:58 AM, Banana Belt said:

There is an older post from spring 2022 last year that I posted on growth rate of Jubaea with pictures of the above jubaea starting in 2006.  The graph below shows growth of this Palm.  Leaf frond stubs will stay on the Jubaea until it starts growing the trunk, when that happens the Jubaea is in its adult stage of growth and adds girth and weight rapidly kind of like many adult gentlemen.  When the trunk begins to swell and diameter expands it begins breaking the fibers that attach the leaf to the trunk similar to breaking the seams in pants when the belly expands.  This is what causes the leaf to fall away clean from the trunk.  Queen Palms and Coconut palms do the same thing.

So, leafs fall away clean after the Jubaea begins its adult trunk and waist building stage.

Interesting.. Ill have to wait and see then.. my palm has a long way to go!

[Banana Belt]

On 9/14/2021 at 8:55 AM, SailorBold said:

Haha.. just kidding..  I love this tree..  I hope it sets viable seeds soon!

This Jubaea appears to be in its "Teenage" years and is getting ready for its trunk growing "Adult" years.  From picture the newest leafs seem substantially larger than the older and lower leafs.  This is typical for Jubaea preparing to start a trunk. 

Pruning Jubaea dead and brown leafs is OK, but I don't recommend pruning any green or living leafs as they are still adding growth to the Palm.  Pruning old brown and dead leaves leaving stubs as picture proper and does not harm, but cutting stubs or brown leaves away from the trunk should not be done as it is very easy to damage the fragile trunk inviting pests and disease.

When this palm starts its trunk growing stage, it will swell and drop off dead leaves but the pruned stubs will hang around for some time and it is best to wait until the stubs drop off on their own which they will do eventually.  Un-Pruned dead leaves fall off easier than stubs for some reason.

If when the palm starts its trunk sometimes the palm begins to lift up showing roots around the perimeter at base.  Fill of good enriched quality can be placed around the trunk to cover the roots several inches, which will help the palm.  If it continues to lift up showing roots, continue placing fill one lift at a time to keep the roots covered.  Jubaea don't seem to mind fill placed around their trunks in moderation

Your palm is a very nice Jubaea and will bring pleasure in future.

Edited October 10, 2023 by Banana Belt