so some of you guys really have problems with triangle palms ?

[trioderob]

I ask this because I have one that I have transplanted twice (from the ground)-

first time transplanted with much care,

the second time, tore the palm out without much care, damaged the root system

and had it stored in a trash can for a over week in the sun with no water !

planted it again at the folks next door to me and it never missed a beat growing.

go figure.

added: also of note is that I gave it a heavy dose

of water, flooded it this summer.

seems to love water and wet roots

Edited August 31, 2010 by trioderob

[LJG]

Never had an issue and I moved to field grown ones into my yard. Not sure their is a Dypsis that does not transplant well if care is taken.

[hanapalms]

Never had an issue and I moved to field grown ones into my yard. Not sure their is a Dypsis that does not transplant well if care is taken.

Lost three D. leptocheilos with 4-5 ft. trunks. Maybe too rough in the transplant. The backhoe operator was not very gentle when backfilling and packing around the trees. Felt bad for the new owner.

[Kumar]

I lost the first d. decaryi i ever owned and planted. It took 3 months and all that remains is a hollow husk of dried leaves though i'm still optimistic and have not removed it from the ground. That is why the second one continues to be potted.

Fortunately my d. leptocheilos has taken to the ground very well (so far) and has opened one new leaf since, despite very damp conditions.

[BS Man about Palms]

Never had an issue and I moved to field grown ones into my yard. Not sure their is a Dypsis that does not transplant well if care is taken.

[aussiearoids]

Triangles DO NOT do so well in the wet tropics here , especially with the type of grubs and borers we have . I have seen a very high % of them get 2m + trunks then collapse at the crown.

A putrid stench emanating from them.

[chris.oz]

Triangles DO NOT do so well in the wet tropics here , especially with the type of grubs and borers we have . I have seen a very high % of them get 2m + trunks then collapse at the crown.

A putrid stench emanating from them.

Michael,

I agree with you.

I have observed Triangles doing poorly in equatorial climates. I think they are better suited to warm temperate and subtropical type climates.

But thats a bit irrelevant anyway, because people in equatorial regions do not tend to obsess about palms. They seem to take them for granted.

[MattyB]

I have seen, first hand, several well established, trunking Dypsis decaryi sucumb to some sort of rotting death. These were grown by long time palm enthusiasts and given exceptional care. Poor drainage is usually the problem. If the planting site is clay soil these palms need no supplimental irrigation in SoCal and will look great. If we have a wet year or too much irriation is given and the soil is clay, they can rot. I've been doing an experiment starting with 2 leaf seedlings, planted out directly into dry rocky soil with irrigation only given once every two months in the Summer, none the rest of the year (these are out by the road with no other plants around them and no moisture). They are doing fine and now two years later they have many leaves and are thriving.

[Cindy Adair]

Triangles DO NOT do so well in the wet tropics here , especially with the type of grubs and borers we have . I have seen a very high % of them get 2m + trunks then collapse at the crown.

A putrid stench emanating from them.

Michael,

I agree with you.

I have observed Triangles doing poorly in equatorial climates. I think they are better suited to warm temperate and subtropical type climates.

But thats a bit irrelevant anyway, because people in equatorial regions do not tend to obsess about palms. They seem to take them for granted.

I only have 2 triangle palms, but they seem to be ok in Puerto Rico which is pretty tropical. However, they were on the farm when I bought it so have no idea how old they are.

[trioderob]

Matty-

when you see photos of them in Madagascar it seems like they are in a pretty lush green

area.

wonder why they like things so dry here ?

Edited September 1, 2010 by trioderob

[MattyB]

From what I understand Dypsis decaryi is from the Spiney Thickets or Spiney Deserts described as such:

One of seven ecoregions covering Madagascar, the spiny thicket ecoregion extends across southern and southwestern Madagascar with its northern border at the Mangoky River on the west coast and the western slopes of the Anosyennes Mountain chain in the southeast. It falls in the extreme rain shadow of Madagascar behind the eastern chain of mountains and far from the prevailing northeastern rains. Consequently, the average annual rainfall for the ecoregion is 500 mm or less per year. The driest areas are in the southwestern coastal region where the annual rainfall may be less than 350 mm per year, and the dry season may last 9 to 11 months (Donque 1972). The climate is dominated by a wet and a dry season with most of the rain falling between October and April. Rainfall can be erratic from year to year prolonged periods of drought lasting several years do occur. The highly porous nature of the soil and bedrock provides little capacity for vegetation to absorb moisture. Many plants have adaptations to store what little water is available and means to minimize water loss (see below). Average annual temperatures for the ecoregion range between maximums of 30° to 33° C and minimums of 15° to 21° C. The topography of the ecoregion is relatively flat and running from sea-level to altitudes of typically between 55 m and 200 m above sea level, with elevation increasing gradually from the coast inland towards the Central Highlands.

I've seen pics of relatively lush hills with Dypsis decaryi and lots of medium sized trees/large shrubs, but that could have been taken during the wet season or it might be one of those transitional areas that gets more rain. Regardless, they are adapted to prolonged dry periods at least in certain areas of their habitat.

[trioderob]

I will back off on the water.

maybe I just got lucky

[MattyB]

From your previous posts you said that you have free draining soil, so I wouldn't worry about it. More water means faster growth and more healthy leaf production.

[trioderob]

From your previous posts you said that you have free draining soil, so I wouldn't worry about it. More water means faster growth and more healthy leaf production.

maybe I just wont water as often, but I wont stop.

the one palm that really does like to be dry is the D.D.

that sucker turns pretty colors and gets real happy looking if I forget to water.

[MattyB]

Does it talk to you as well? You seem to have a knack for observing dramatic color and growth changes. What's in the water over there?

[trioderob]

Does it talk to you as well? You seem to have a knack for observing dramatic color and growth changes. What's in the water over there?

if had as many palms as you I would not be able to notice either.

thats the advantage and disadvantage of having a million palm trees

Edited September 1, 2010 by trioderob

[LJG]

Never had an issue and I moved to field grown ones into my yard. Not sure their is a Dypsis that does not transplant well if care is taken.

Bill, no idea what the smilie means. The two 6 foot of trunk Decaryi's I have did not get to that size in 5 years in my yard. Those were field dug and planted from Tomlinson Select Nursery.

[pogobob]

The best looking triangle palms seem to be found in yards where they are neglected. I have seen many that are grown in gardens that belong to people who dont have the time or interest to be "hands on" gardeners, automated irrigation, overwatered lawns, and paid gardeners,only to see them grow like mad for a few years and then rot and die suddenly. Too much water and poor drainage is fatal. I had one croak in my front yard many years ago and when I pulled it out the roots were rotten. This was a palm with about 4ft of wood.

[BS Man about Palms]

Never had an issue and I moved to field grown ones into my yard. Not sure their is a Dypsis that does not transplant well if care is taken.

Bill, no idea what the smilie means. The two 6 foot of trunk Decaryi's I have did not get to that size in 5 years in my yard. Those were field dug and planted from Tomlinson Select Nursery.

I was just thinking not all Dypsis transplant easy... BUT as you noted if care taken, maybe so. But I also have no heat here and would be loathe to dig and move a palm that throws one frond a year...

[MattyB]

The best looking triangle palms seem to be found in yards where they are neglected. I have seen many that are grown in gardens that belong to people who dont have the time or interest to be "hands on" gardeners, automated irrigation, overwatered lawns, and paid gardeners,only to see them grow like mad for a few years and then rot and die suddenly. Too much water and poor drainage is fatal. I had one croak in my front yard many years ago and when I pulled it out the roots were rotten. This was a palm with about 4ft of wood.

That's a great example of what I was talking about. They get wood, seem to be thriving, but eventually sucumb to the wet soil. The best looking triangles I've seen are at Miracosta College near the Creative Arts Complex and in a yard in Spring Valley. Both sites have clay soil but the palms are never ever irrigated.

[trioderob]

there is a condo complex in la jolla near the tide pools that has some very nice triangles.

it is a classic upscale modern beach front place with paid gardeners and a lush green lawn.

[Peter Pacific]

Never had an issue and I moved to field grown ones into my yard. Not sure their is a Dypsis that does not transplant well if care is taken.

Bill, no idea what the smilie means. The two 6 foot of trunk Decaryi's I have did not get to that size in 5 years in my yard. Those were field dug and planted from Tomlinson Select Nursery.

I was just thinking not all Dypsis transplant easy... BUT as you noted if care taken, maybe so. But I also have no heat here and would be loathe to dig and move a palm that throws one frond a year...

[MattyB]

what?

[paulgila]

there are some pretty large d.decaryi in the front of an apt.complex on collwood in SD.

if they havent exploded yet.

[chris.oz]

Well I may have to retract on my statement about this palm in equatorial regions.

I was in KL on the weekend and saw quite a few specimens, looking reasonably good , with 5-7 ft of trunk, on the flat, in a clay soil. KL, Malaysia is at 2 degrees N. Go figure !

[amazondk]

Triangle palms have not been planted here for very long. So, there are not many large ones. They have become fashionable in recently opened housing developments and apartment complexes though. We have a lot more rain than Madagasscar, 2500 to 3000 mm per year and a 3 to 4 month dry season. I had one in my back yard in clay soil and it rotted. I think in sandy soils with no additional water they would do ok. I am going to plant a few at my country place which has sandy soil to see how they do.

dk

[DoomsDave]

Triangles transplant fine here in the Land O'La La.

What they appear to hate to death is too soggy soil. THe ones I've killed all died from rot, long, long after any transplant would have done them in.

[Jeff Searle]

there are some pretty large d.decaryi in the front of an apt.complex on collwood in SD.

if they havent exploded yet.

I knew some of the experts would finally chime in.

[Moose]

there are some pretty large d.decaryi in the front of an apt.complex on collwood in SD.

if they havent exploded yet.

South Dakota?

[SPrewitt]

Hi everyone, new gal here looking for assistance! A few months ago I transplanted a 25 ft Triangle Palm someone did not want in their yard. Took about 2 hours to dig out. Brought it home, its gorgeous in the center of my circular driveway! Last week I came across someone that had planted 5 next to each other along their home. They are about 8-10 ft high. Unfortunately before the guy listed them for removal he cut all but 2 of the middle fronds! These guys are now pretty bare looking Also when I dug them out I thought I could also load them by myself. After attempting the first one (which I did load solo by backing the truck up to it ) I threw some dirt back of the others and returned the next day with my boyfriend for assistance.  Unfortunately he knows nothing about palms and cut the root base shorter than I would of liked. Nonetheless, they are now planted 2 on each side of the driveway.  

I was wondering if the fronds grow back after cutting or new ones will develope below the cut ones? About how long will it take for these guys to start looking better? The large one was not trimmed at all, absolutely beautiful.  I'm still happy to have them because in my opinion the base is also pretty, but I want leaves!! I'm in St. Petersburg, Fl Zone 9. I think they will take ok (hopefully) Is there anything I can do to help them? 

[SouthFLA]

On 10/12/2020 at 9:00 AM, SPrewitt said:

Hi everyone, new gal here looking for assistance! A few months ago I transplanted a 25 ft Triangle Palm someone did not want in their yard. Took about 2 hours to dig out. Brought it home, its gorgeous in the center of my circular driveway! Last week I came across someone that had planted 5 next to each other along their home. They are about 8-10 ft high. Unfortunately before the guy listed them for removal he cut all but 2 of the middle fronds! These guys are now pretty bare looking Also when I dug them out I thought I could also load them by myself. After attempting the first one (which I did load solo by backing the truck up to it ) I threw some dirt back of the others and returned the next day with my boyfriend for assistance.  Unfortunately he knows nothing about palms and cut the root base shorter than I would of liked. Nonetheless, they are now planted 2 on each side of the driveway.  

I was wondering if the fronds grow back after cutting or new ones will develope below the cut ones? About how long will it take for these guys to start looking better? The large one was not trimmed at all, absolutely beautiful.  I'm still happy to have them because in my opinion the base is also pretty, but I want leaves!! I'm in St. Petersburg, Fl Zone 9. I think they will take ok (hopefully) Is there anything I can do to help them? 

Still alive? The cut fronds won't grow back on any palm. They only grow new fronds from the center spear leaf. Send pictures. Triangle palms are marginal in central FL but they get massive here in Miami. They don't like the cold but I've seen a few decent sized ones in the Tampa Bay area. Attach pics please.

[PalmatierMeg]

Welcome to PalmTalk. Photos are essential. You need to illustrate what everybody did. Terms like "root base" have no meaning. Sounds like the poor wretched things have gone through a war.

Cut fronds do not grow back. Palms lack the ability to heal themselves like woody trees (they relatives of grasses). Dypsis decaryi is a solitary palm: one stem and one growing point. New fronds emerge from the growing point inside the stem. If the growing point has been destroyed the palm will die. Try pouring 3% hydrogen peroxide into the center of the stem. H2O2 will disinfect dead/dying tissue without harming healthy tissue.

FWIW for the future, it is never a good idea to hack palms out of the ground, throw them onto a truck to be shoe-horned into a hole someplace. Ideally you should trench around a palm in stages, allow a decent sized rootball before carefully lifting it out of the ground. I don't know how root sensitive Dypsis decaryi is.