My sunburnt Howea forsteriana

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Hi everyone

I have been growing this Howea since i bought it as a small 1 gallon in 1998 . I transplanted it at my

new house in November 2008 into full sun . Well she promptly burned to a crisp except for the spear and

half of one frond. Not too mention i chopped off half its roots when i dug it up .

The planting site was prepared with sandy loam (native soil ) bags of well rotted sheep manure ,mushroom

compost and seaweed,fishmeal pellets

.

Here she is after 12 months of seasol mulch and LOTS OF WATER !

Once they are close to trunking they really speed up down here .

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Note how the trunk has really thickened up - er well

soon to be trunk !

[Ryland]

It seems from your recent picture that your Howea had a magnifecent recovery, as it sure looks splendid now! Thanks for posting.

I didn't know you could grow howea in Tasmania. How cold does it get over there?

[Tassie_Troy1971]

It seems from your recent picture that your Howea had a magnifecent recovery, as it sure looks splendid now! Thanks for posting.

I didn't know you could grow howea in Tasmania. How cold does it get over there?

Hi there

Same climate as San Francisco Bay except our summers are warmer . Winter minimum is around 34f in coastal areas.

[DoomsDave]

Well, dang, I suspect sss-sudio, withcraft . ..

[nomolos]

Howeas are quite an easy grow down here

[happ]

Note how the trunk has really thickened up - er well

soon to be trunk !

Nice Troy but don't hold your breath waiting for a trunk howea. f is slow. They seem to like shade better here.

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Note how the trunk has really thickened up - er well

soon to be trunk !

Nice Troy but don't hold your breath waiting for a trunk howea. f is slow. They seem to like shade better here.

Happ they are quite slow here until they get to my size - and they burn a bit on the hot days 95f +

[Jonathan]

Its a beautiful thing Troy - looks amazing, considering its history.

As Troy said, they are slowish here until they get to that size, then they seem to really explode.

There are a couple in the Botanical gardens that have gone from the size of Troy's plant to a metre of trunk in three or four years.

Here is a picture of one of them that Sol posted a while back. Not too slow in my book!

I think our lack of extreme temps suits them well, even quite small ones grow in full sun without too much trouble.

Cheers,

Jonathan

[Tyrone]

Troy that is one strong and very happy Howea. I actually think you guys have a perfect climate for these, apart from LHI. It will really speed up now. What I did to mine was put a 10cm thick mulch of sheep manure around it and the base is now 50cm in diameter and it has a 1.5m clear trunk. It really sped up from the stage of yours on. We have the extreme high temps which tests this species a bit, however full sun will be the best spot for you guys to get the bulkiest growth.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Miccles]

Troy, that's a beauty - well done in nursing it back to health. I bought one from a nursery that had been field grown up in Port Macquarie, dug up, thrown in a pot and sat through a Melbourne winter. It didn't look too dissimilar to the one you've shown as your original picture. As soon as I planted it out, with some manure, Seasol and good shade overhead, it has thrived and is now trunking.

Opening a new leaf right now as a matter of fact !

I agree with Tyrone - I think you guys in Tas have a great climate for the Howea's. Melb is not too bad, as long as you can give them good shade protection in the hotter months.

Regards

Michael.

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Troy that is one strong and very happy Howea. I actually think you guys have a perfect climate for these, apart from LHI. It will really speed up now. What I did to mine was put a 10cm thick mulch of sheep manure around it and the base is now 50cm in diameter and it has a 1.5m clear trunk. It really sped up from the stage of yours on. We have the extreme high temps which tests this species a bit, however full sun will be the best spot for you guys to get the bulkiest growth.

Best regards

Tyrone

Yes it has the sheep manure around it in a wide radius - plus 15cm of peastraw !

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Troy, that's a beauty - well done in nursing it back to health. I bought one from a nursery that had been field grown up in Port Macquarie, dug up, thrown in a pot and sat through a Melbourne winter. It didn't look too dissimilar to the one you've shown as your original picture. As soon as I planted it out, with some manure, Seasol and good shade overhead, it has thrived and is now trunking.

Opening a new leaf right now as a matter of fact !

I agree with Tyrone - I think you guys in Tas have a great climate for the Howea's. Melb is not too bad, as long as you can give them good shade protection in the hotter months.

Regards

Michael.

Thanks

" I think you guys in Tas have a great climate for the Howea's." Only in coastal areas although i am 20km inland up a large estury i get little frost - inland they would be burnt by hard frost every winter .

[Wanderanwills]

Great job on the Kentia, looks a picture of health.

Regards

Wanderanwills

[peachy]

Once again I have to congratulate that Taswegian Troy person on a good looking palm. Howeas (both kinds) are really a problem for me. I can get quite big ones (well a metre or so) quite cheaply but badly neglected. I have 'rescued' quite a few now, repotted the poor things, fed,water the whole bit, just to watch them curl up and croak at the first opportunity the stinking things get. I have 2 littlies left and if they croak then no more. I might stick to my Euterpes, such grateful, pleasant, easy to get on with palms. Meanwhile well done Troy, nice recovery job and a nice result.

Peachy

[FallbrookCA]

Doesnt anyone else notice that this palm in the first pic doesnt look like its the same one as the second pic? Look at the backround, unless the hills morphed it doesnt look like the same palm to me. Yes, you may say different angle, but even the plants next to it are totally different. The only reason i chimed in is because I had one that ended up burning like crazy, but since they are relatively slow growing, I dont see how it could have that many new leaves in one year. Seems a little fishy to me

[Sutter Bob]

I hope it's true - it was my inspiration this summer (and mine seem to be doing better with Troy's advice - especially the seaweed and water - bogus or not).

[BS Man about Palms]

I think its different angles. The rock in the foreground right is the same I suspect.

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

I hope it's true - it was my inspiration this summer (and mine seem to be doing better with Troy's advice - especially the seaweed and water - bogus or not).

SutterBob,

Hate to burst your bubble, but these guys will grow only temporary in our baking valley heat.

They do fine from November through April. First 90f day and anywhere the sun hits them scorches.

Sad because the are a nice palm, a little more frost hardy that King palms.

Unless you have a large oak tree to grow under, they are shade only palm here in Modesto.

Edited August 18, 2010 by Jeff in Modesto

[Mike in Nelson]

Regarding the photos, I think the angles are different as mentioned above plus the fence looks to have since been repainted.

My Howea has also been burnt since planting out but expect new "outdoor" leaves to appear this summer.

[Walter John]

Doesnt anyone else notice that this palm in the first pic doesnt look like its the same one as the second pic? Look at the backround, unless the hills morphed it doesnt look like the same palm to me. Yes, you may say different angle, but even the plants next to it are totally different. Seems a little fishy to me.

To be perfectly honest, it doesn't even look like Tasmania to me, way too tropical looking...

[Moose]

Doesnt anyone else notice that this palm in the first pic doesnt look like its the same one as the second pic? Look at the backround, unless the hills morphed it doesnt look like the same palm to me. Yes, you may say different angle, but even the plants next to it are totally different. The only reason i chimed in is because I had one that ended up burning like crazy, but since they are relatively slow growing, I dont see how it could have that many new leaves in one year. Seems a little fishy to me

Are you impuning that this could be a "grassy knoll" type conspiracy right here on Palm Talk?

Our Aussie friends grow an amazing array of palms quite successfully!

[peachy]

Troy is going to be in California in a few days.....better be careful what you say ! Tasmanians have a mean streak. My howeas put out new leaves rapidly now and then, still doesnt mean they grow any faster, just get a bit fatter thats all.

Peachy

[FallbrookCA]

Doesnt anyone else notice that this palm in the first pic doesnt look like its the same one as the second pic? Look at the backround, unless the hills morphed it doesnt look like the same palm to me. Yes, you may say different angle, but even the plants next to it are totally different. The only reason i chimed in is because I had one that ended up burning like crazy, but since they are relatively slow growing, I dont see how it could have that many new leaves in one year. Seems a little fishy to me

Are you impuning that this could be a "grassy knoll" type conspiracy right here on Palm Talk?

Our Aussie friends grow an amazing array of palms quite successfully!

Haha, no, I guess i was just bored last night and thinking out loud. No biggie, I am jealous though if thats how fast they grow out there.

[Moose]

Doesnt anyone else notice that this palm in the first pic doesnt look like its the same one as the second pic? Look at the backround, unless the hills morphed it doesnt look like the same palm to me. Yes, you may say different angle, but even the plants next to it are totally different. Seems a little fishy to me.

To be perfectly honest, it doesn't even look like Tasmania to me, way too tropical looking...

Wal - are you implying that there is a "man on moon was staged" type conspiracy occurring here on Palm Talk?

[mcwolf]

Hi Troy,

Congrats to this amazing recovery.

I had a similiar case study about 2 years ago but my results are by far not as pleasant. I've got it in a shady location for the cooler 6 months and the rest of the year it is exposed to nasty afternoon sun.

What I have learned from you is that even Kentia seem to be receptive to feeding. I'm doing generally very poor in this department but this is where I see room for improvement.

Enjoy your tropical look,

Wolfe

[MattyB]

Troy, that thing looks amazing! Nice work man!

[Moose]

Troy is going to be in California in a few days.....better be careful what you say ! Tasmanians have a mean streak. My howeas put out new leaves rapidly now and then, still doesnt mean they grow any faster, just get a bit fatter thats all.

Peachy

[Walt]

Well, after seeing your palm, I feel somewhat better. My Howea is actually smaller overall now than it was eight years ago!

I bought mine via a semi-bare root mail order sometime in 2001. I potted it up and took the first photo below about one year later.

Then, I took another photo (second photo below) about four months later, and you can see that it's grown some.

But then, shortly afterwards, things started going down hill. I think I may have been giving my howea too much water as it started to decline. Eventually, it got better and I planted it, where it is now in the last two photos below.

But look at it! This palm is smaller today than it was eight years ago! The short trunk is very small in caliper.

Further, this palm has never been cold damaged. In the winter, on nights where I think it might get cold damaged, I tent the palm and install string lights inside the tent to provide enough warmth that the palm will not get cold damaged.

I guess I will die of old age before my howea gets up to any appreciable size. I surely thought it would be bigger than it is after having it for nine years, and it was a five gallon size when I bought it.

[Mike in Nelson]

That does seem odd. Perhaps it needs a good feed?

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Doesnt anyone else notice that this palm in the first pic doesnt look like its the same one as the second pic? Look at the backround, unless the hills morphed it doesnt look like the same palm to me. Yes, you may say different angle, but even the plants next to it are totally different. The only reason i chimed in is because I had one that ended up burning like crazy, but since they are relatively slow growing, I dont see how it could have that many new leaves in one year. Seems a little fishy to me

Hi

WOW - never expected to see this thread bumped another time .

Yes she is definately the same kentia but i can see that in the first pic i took it from a different angle exposing the bushes behind the fence . The plant to the palms right in the first picture is a tree dahlia that grew higher than the fence in 3 months and was smashed by the wind i dug it out and replaced it with Arthropodium Matapouri Bay a beautiful plant from New Zealand that is also very fast . The new plant to the right is the Ubiquitous Philodendron selloum that i got from the tip shop for 5.00 LOL !

Colin (palmsforpleasure ) and Jonathan and Sol (Nomolos) can verify its the real deal as thay have seen the Howea before and after . My smaller Howea is much slower they dont really speed up until they are almost about to trunk and shade really seems to slow them down .

The Howea does most of its growing from Sept - April and is very slow in our cold winters .

The old fence on the left was rebuilt by me with solid Tasmanian oak and stained Jarrah colour .

Here is the same palm around may /June .

Hope this explanation helps -happy gardening .

Cheers Troy

[peachy]

Troy is going to be in California in a few days.....better be careful what you say ! Tasmanians have a mean streak. My howeas put out new leaves rapidly now and then, still doesnt mean they grow any faster, just get a bit fatter thats all.

Peachy

Actually hollywood's tasmanian devils look nothing like the real thing. Imagine a staffordshire bull terrier with big white spots on its back ...okay done that ? You have now seen a Tasmanian Devil.

Peachy

[Chester Wilcox]

I'm amazed Kentias grow that far south! You think I might have a shot here in Christchurch?

[Tassie_Troy1971]

I'm amazed Kentias grow that far south! You think I might have a shot here in Christchurch?

As long as you are not in an area that doesn't get colder than -3 C cant see why not

[Jonathan]

I'm amazed Kentias grow that far south! You think I might have a shot here in Christchurch?

Chester,

Hobart and Christchurch have very similar climates....you should definately give it a shot.

Mine have kept growing (though very slowly) through 15 or so frosts this winter.

Send me 100 Nikau seeds from Banks Peninsula and I'll give you the recipe for Troy's secret Kentia potion!

Nice to see another poster from the deep, deep south.

By the way, that palm is definately real - I've seen it with my own jealous eyes.

But Troy is not....you've all had a group hallucination - now go back to sleep......

Cheers,

Jonathan

[mcwolf]

Hi Walt,

Your Kentia has clearly grown over this long period. What confuses me is that the trunk is still super slim as if it was still in a pot. The spacing is ridicously tight as well. It looks like that it never really got over its bare root trauma. Otherwise it's got very healthy leaves and looks stunning. Some kind of bonsai howea, though.

Keep Well!

[Mike in Nelson]

I'm amazed Kentias grow that far south! You think I might have a shot here in Christchurch?

What part of Christchurch do you live in Chester? Anywhere up on the port hills around to Sumner would be worth a try. Don't know why there aren't more palm growers down your way. If it's possible in Tassie......

[Walt]

Hi Walt,

Your Kentia has clearly grown over this long period. What confuses me is that the trunk is still super slim as if it was still in a pot. The spacing is ridicously tight as well. It looks like that it never really got over its bare root trauma. Otherwise it's got very healthy leaves and looks stunning. Some kind of bonsai howea, though.

Keep Well!

MC: I think my palm got over the bare root trauma, but I think it suffered subsequent trauma (see below).

If you look closely at my first two photos you will note my Kentia was first in a greenish colored pot, then in a white pot. My palm hadn't outgrown the green pot but I decided to step it up to an even larger pot, thinking it would be more like it being planted in the ground (for maximum growth speed).

Shortly after stepping the palm up in pot size I noticed it starting to decline. I think it may have been suffering from root rot, probably from me overwatering and the pot not drying out as quickly due to the over size.

In any event, after my palm suffering like this for at least six months, maybe longer, I finally yanked it out of the pot. The roots looked bad for sure. I then repotted it in a small pot with better draining soil mix. The palm responded to that and started to regrow normally. After a period of time, when I felt it was back to normal, I planted it in the ground. It's been a relative slow grower.

So, possibly my palm suffered some lasting trauma that has forever altered it's ability to form a normal sized caliper trunk.

No matter, I will continue to grow my Kentia and do all I can to see it prosper.

[Sutter Bob]

I hope it's true - it was my inspiration this summer (and mine seem to be doing better with Troy's advice - especially the seaweed and water - bogus or not).

SutterBob,

Hate to burst your bubble, but these guys will grow only temporary in our baking valley heat.

They do fine from November through April. First 90f day and anywhere the sun hits them scorches.

Sad because the are a nice palm, a little more frost hardy that King palms.

Unless you have a large oak tree to grow under, they are shade only palm here in Modesto.

Jeff,

I'm afraid you're probably right. These seem to be fighting a losing battle here but I haven't thrown in the towel yet. I lost several last winter and now the survivors are indeed baking.

I'm pinning my hopes on a couple that are partially shaded by some huge Italian Cypress. The trouble is they're on the west side and they get zapped with the afternoon sun.

I've got them buried under some giant Zinnias for now. I still think they might make it here in the right shady microclimate.

We'll see what happens. I think I'll look for one more spot for a final experiment if those two don't make it.

[FallbrookCA]

Can someone please tell me what the max temp is for these guys before they fry? F if possible. I had one that was pretty big but in a dryer area and when it 100 it just baked. But I was out of the country and had someone hand watering, so I really dont know if he overwatered or underwatered or what. I since have sprinklers, but I dont want to spend a bunch of money just to piss it away with the palm dying. (nor do i ever like watching a palm die )