Trachy Seeding... Again!

[Randy Johnson]

Hello again!

Here's a picture of my apx. 7' Trachy in its third season here in "north" Alabama.

Now for the fun part. And I know I'm about to show my ignorance in palm-ology ....and probably outright disrespect for the species. But, nonetheless, here's my question: As of last year, my tree started popping out these ugly (eye of the beholder) pods each spring. Is it safe for the health of the tree to simply cut them off once they elongate past the trunk? There are at least 10 of them already peeking out.

Thanks much!

Randy

[quaman58]

Very cool. I have one flowering for the first time this year. How old is yours? Btw, I've never heard about any issues cutting off flower spikes.

Edited April 6, 2010 by quaman58

[elHoagie]

Nice! I love Trachys - hopefully some of mine will be that big before too long!

[Randy Johnson]

Very cool. I have one flowering for the first time this year. How old is yours? Btw, I've never heard about any issues cutting off flower spikes.

It has been in the ground here for 3 years. I had bought a smaller one the previous year which developed some type of fungus and didn't make it. The owner of the place let me 'trade up' to this one for very little difference and I jumped at the chance. I let the flowers run their course last year and they really weren't very attractive. As a matter of fact, a neighbor called to ask what was 'wrong' with my palm tree. And since I'm not interested in trying to germinate the seeds I'd prefer to just remove the pods as long as that doesn't damage the tree in any way.

- Randy

[Randy Johnson]

Nice! I love Trachys - hopefully some of mine will be that big before too long!

They grow faster than some of the other species. Seems like this one is adding about a foot to 18" per season.

[Jeff zone 8 N.C.]

Randy, you can safely cut them all off. I always like to let at least one stay for several weeks though. That way if there is any unknown chemical change within the plant it gets to complete a natural cycle.

Hello again!

Here's a picture of my apx. 7' Trachy in its third season here in "north" Alabama.

Now for the fun part. And I know I'm about to show my ignorance in palm-ology ....and probably outright disrespect for the species. But, nonetheless, here's my question: As of last year, my tree started popping out these ugly (eye of the beholder) pods each spring. Is it safe for the health of the tree to simply cut them off once they elongate past the trunk? There are at least 10 of them already peeking out.

Thanks much!

Randy

[Darold Petty]

Hi Randy, your palm is looking great! The 'pods' are flowering structures. The husk wrappers (like a tamale) are the spathes, and the branched structure that emerges is the spadix. Trachycarpus is a dioecious genus meaning that each plant is male or female only. You palm wouldn't get seeds unless it were female, and there was a male around close by. The fact that so many spadices are produced is evidence of how healthy and vigorous your palm is. Proceed to remove the spadices as you wish, without harm to your palm. When I cut spadices off, I use powdered sulfur dusted on the cut surface as a precaution against infection by bacteria or fungi. Good growing, and plant some more!

[Randy Johnson]

Randy, you can safely cut them all off. I always like to let at least one stay for several weeks though. That way if there is any unknown chemical change within the plant it gets to complete a natural cycle.

Thanks Jeff,

Last year, I remember that they grew out very quickly once they became visible. I'm just glad to know that I'm not the only palm lover out there who doesn't get excited when the buds appear in the spring.

[LilikoiLee]

Thanks for all the info in this post. It was perfect timing for me because although a Trachy has been on my wish list for quite some time, I was told they would not do well in the heat of the Kona side of the Big Island of Hawaii AND we could not find one. We found one (about 5' tall in a 20 Gal bag) only about a month ago and got it into the ground this weekend. We had to put in on the side of a blue rock ridge and do a rock build up on two sides. Keeping our fingers crossed!

[Randy Johnson]

Thanks for all the info in this post. It was perfect timing for me because although a Trachy has been on my wish list for quite some time, I was told they would not do well in the heat of the Kona side of the Big Island of Hawaii AND we could not find one. We found one (about 5' tall in a 20 Gal bag) only about a month ago and got it into the ground this weekend. We had to put in on the side of a blue rock ridge and do a rock build up on two sides. Keeping our fingers crossed!

I believe they're native to the mountains of China... and that's way they prefer cooler climates. But I think you did well to locate it on a slope, because as long as the root ball doesn't stand in water they can adapt to most any climate just fine. I was instructed to water mine when the soil was dry at about 2" down until it was established. The roots should be kept moist, but not soaking wet constantly. They don't tolerate high winds very well and they seem to maintain a deeper shade of green when they're not in direct sunlight all day. Mine is in direct sun, but I didn't have a lot of choices unless I wanted to hide it in the back yard. Good luck with it and keep us posted! - Randy

[LilikoiLee]

Thanks for all the info in this post. It was perfect timing for me because although a Trachy has been on my wish list for quite some time, I was told they would not do well in the heat of the Kona side of the Big Island of Hawaii AND we could not find one. We found one (about 5' tall in a 20 Gal bag) only about a month ago and got it into the ground this weekend. We had to put in on the side of a blue rock ridge and do a rock build up on two sides. Keeping our fingers crossed!

I believe they're native to the mountains of China... and that's way they prefer cooler climates. But I think you did well to locate it on a slope, because as long as the root ball doesn't stand in water they can adapt to most any climate just fine. I was instructed to water mine when the soil was dry at about 2" down until it was established. The roots should be kept moist, but not soaking wet constantly. They don't tolerate high winds very well and they seem to maintain a deeper shade of green when they're not in direct sunlight all day. Mine is in direct sun, but I didn't have a lot of choices unless I wanted to hide it in the back yard. Good luck with it and keep us posted! - Randy

Thanks for all the helpful information, Randy. Beginners luck - I got location - slope, light shade, protected from high winds. Will water as you were directed. Lee