Premature opening of the new spear

[Rafael]

My Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, 4 mts tall (2,20 mts trunk), 100% freeze burned in winter, has opened two new leaves, partially burned.

When the second one opened i became surprised because i was not seing the new spear, as always before.

Then i checked it inside the canopy and saw that the new spear, with maybe 20 cm, was already opening, as you can see on the pic below.

This behaviour i am also watching in a potted double trunked a. alexandrae: new leaves opening while not yet even 50% emerging from the crown. This one had no freeze damage, anyway.

Could this be a cold damage consequence? Or an effect of excess of seaweed fertilizing?

Edited June 25, 2010 by rafael

[MattyB]

I think you're right about it being cold related. I see this all the time. It's as if the palm is opening up the leaf as soon as possible in order to photosynthesize more efficiently.

[paulgila]

is it really more "efficient" if the leaf is not opened to full potential?

[BS Man about Palms]

Its excited to be there.

[MattyB]

It's more efficient than being compacted as a spear.

[Rafael]

That's a good point Matty.

Edited June 25, 2010 by rafael

[paulgila]

in the short run,short stuff.

[JayW]

I've seen cold damaged and newly transplanted palms do this. I don't think it's anything to worry about, it should eventually get it's act together.

[PalmatierMeg]

I think it's cold damage. My Pinanga coronata stems did the same thing.

[Trópico]

I got that, plus stunted fronds.

[Rafael]

Thanks for the inputs.

I will be looking forward for its development.

[mcwolf]

Hello Rafael,

I think as well it will grow back to normal during the summer. I'm not a fan of premature opening spears since the leaflets are very sensitive to sun and wind but there's nothing what you can do to keep the spear closed.

I've got various Archontos which had properly root damagages and produced about 4-6 underdeveloped leaves which opened very soon. Yours look so much better and very healthy.

Just as a matter of interest. At what temperatures did it loose its leaves?

Cheers,

Wolfe

[Rafael]

Hello Rafael,

I think as well it will grow back to normal during the summer. I'm not a fan of premature opening spears since the leaflets are very sensitive to sun and wind but there's nothing what you can do to keep the spear closed.

I've got various Archontos which had properly root damagages and produced about 4-6 underdeveloped leaves which opened very soon. Yours look so much better and very healthy.

Just as a matter of interest. At what temperatures did it loose its leaves?

Cheers,

Wolfe

-3,8ºC, twice, and several -2ºC.

Three heavy frost episodes, several light frost episodes.

That was enough, i was not counting on it...

[quitasol]

My little flame thrower, my king palms and one of my queen palms are all doing the same thing. (all planted within the past 8 months) Boron or manganese deficiency perhaps? Watering issues? All were planted in holes at least twice as wide completely amended with mulch, a bit of compost, gypsum, palm and cactus mix all with my nice native clay soil. Night temps down to 37 a few times this winter.

At least I got some color out of the new leaves!

[Dan941]

I was a bit concerned with this dwarf coconut pre-opening and exposing some yellow which I can assume isn't a major cause for concern spear has grown quite a bit since it was planted but not sure if this is normal or what it indicates.