Parasites on Palms

[The Silent Seed]

When visiting Florida, I loved observing the multitudes of Palms everywhere, and was very surprised to see that almost every Palm has some kind of parasitic tree growing on its trunk. Not just Figs, but Schlefferas, Ferns, and some others that I didn't recognize.

I would love to create some kind of collection for these plants in my plant house - and guess what? You'll be doing the palms a favor! I'm more than happy to trade for these - I collected some, but none of them survived. I'm not sure why? They may have gotten too dry in transit. I'd love to play around with Bonsai since most of them already have unusually shaped trunks from growing around a palm trunk.

Apologies in advance, if this post is offensive to some.

[aussiearoids]

Epiphytes , do not think any would be real parasites .

Mistletoes are the only real parasite here .

[The Silent Seed]

You don't consider the strangler fig a parasite ?

Well, I suppose not in the strictest sense - since they do have green leaves, therefore they can produce chlorophyll - so I guess I should have been more generalized in my usage of the word "parasite."

I am referring to all the different trees that wind themselves around and in, palm trunks, parasitic or not.

Thanks for the input!

Jude

[The Silent Seed]

You don't consider the strangler fig a parasite ?

Well, I suppose not in the strictest sense - since they do have green leaves, therefore they can produce chlorophyll - so I guess I should have been more generalized in my usage of the word "parasite."

I am referring to all the different trees that wind themselves around and in, palm trunks, parasitic or not.

Thanks for the input!

Jude

[aussiearoids]

You would not be able to remove a parasite without killing it .

I have tried to remove mistletoe from citrus trees by heavy pruning , and it always seems to return . Maybe its the birds pooping more seeds or the original one sprouting back from something left inside the citrus tree it has parasitised

I think I have posted some pictures here of one at work a few years ago.