Likely Death of My Twenty Year Old Syagrus sancona

[Jim in Los Altos]

This morning, I cut the rotted top off the Syagrus sancona (Colombian Foxtail) that I originally planted as a tiny seedling twenty years ago. I cut in sections until I got to living tissue but, unfortunately it looks to be below the growing point. I can’t imagine what happened but the decline was sudden. No freezing temperatures, no known pests, and the palm was always thriving until now. This was a palm I didn’t expect to live three years let alone twenty despite my 10a zone. I thought it would need much more heat than my Bay Area climate has to offer.

Edited December 20, 2021 by Jim in Los Altos

[Silas_Sancona]

Who knew i'd be a heart breaker? haha.. Lighthearted joke aside,  Total bummer Jim.  You considering trying another?

[quaman58]

So sorry to hear that Jim, that was an amazing grow. I’ve always loved that species, but gave up after a couple attempts early on. I’ve got a few palms as well that shouldn’t be growing as well as they do here, and can understand the heartbreak of losing one of them after all the time I spent admiring them. Well done regardless..

Edited December 20, 2021 by quaman58

[quaman58]

By the way, had it flowered before?

[Jim in Los Altos]

21 hours ago, quaman58 said:

So sorry to hear that Jim, that was an amazing grow. I’ve always loved that species, but gave up after a couple attempts early on. I’ve got a few palms as well that shouldn’t be growing as well as they do here, and can understand the heartbreak of losing one of them after all the time I spent admiring them. Well done regardless..

It was the survivor of three seedlings and surprised me with its vigorous growth. Good genes perhaps. Same goes for a Wodyetia and Roystonea in my front yard growing reasonably well for seven years. Six previous unsuccessful tries with Wodyetia and three with Roystonea. It’s why I always try several marginal palms of a particular species instead of just one.  

[Jim in Los Altos]

22 hours ago, quaman58 said:

By the way, had it flowered before?

No, it never flowered. 

[KDubU]

Well that just plain sucks. Sorry Jim.

[Palm Tree Jim]

I say get another one Jim.

[realarch]

Losing a special palm is a real body blow, but I always dwell on the pleasure it’s presence gave to the garden. I think about that and all is good. 

Tim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tim_brissy_13]

Jim, do you have a photo in its former glory?