bismarck update

[michigan steve]

A couple ofweeks ago I posted some pics of possible bud rot and later of a frond that was getting brown streaks. Kostas suggested the streaks might be root rot or salt build up. Well now the frond is getting much worse but its still growing and its pushing through the bud rot. They areas start out dark brown and then dry out after awhile. I don't know how it could have gotten root rot I let I dry out very good between waterings. The other 2 fronds are fine, it really sucks that it was fine all winter until right before spring hits and it can go back out. I would hate to loose this palm. Thanks in advance for all sugestions and advice

Here are some pics of the frond in question ad the good ones

Edited May 1, 2013 by michigan steve

[_Rich]

Steve,

Potted palms watered with tap water have a harder time leeching out the salts and other additives in tap water. Consider watering with only rain water captured via a rain barrel?

Also, I'm guessing that it is safe to assume that this palm spent the entire year in Michigan, specific to the ambient temperatures and protective measures - can you provide some additional detail regarding the conditions the palm spent indoors/outdoors?

Thanks,

Rich

[michigan steve]

I brought it home to michigan in early june and repotted it. It spent the rest of the year outside and really started to grow good by end of august, it put out 2 new fronds with one on the way. I brought it in the houe ometime in november, it was growing good it even put out a new leaf in the house untile it got the bud rot wich was cause from me spraying the leaves with water until I found out not to do that. The growth slowed but about 3 weeks ago it started to grow again nd that's when I noticed the rot on the spear . Its pushing that out though, the spear has grown about an inch in the last couple of weeks. While it was inside it was under lights I hung from the ceiling for the trees and I only watered it when it dried out a lot. It was doing fine with this routine until now.

[_Rich]

Steve,

Remember that soil moisture and the drying out between waterings is a leading cause of failure in climates where the relative humidity regularly drops to a point wherein the drying of the soil is accelerated. Such is the case when tropical/sub-tropical plants are moved indoors in climates where their survival outdoors would not otherwise be a possibility.

The latter pics of your palm look good and the new fronds look regular and healthy. In subtropical climes, the Bismarckia is a fairly robust and tolerant palm - especially once established.

One other detrimental factor is how intolerant of root disturbance a B. n. is. If you plan on regularly uprooting and potting the palm in between physical locales and seasons - this will not prove beneficial in the long-term success of the palm.

I hope this helps,

Rich

[michigan steve]

Thanks Rich,

I'm a palm nut ever since I lived in florida, to bad I waited to try an grow them in this crappy weather state lol. I would let my palms dry to where I could stick my whole finger in and not find moist dirt, I was petrified of getting root rot especially since I had a trachy get it. When I would water my palms it was like 2 weeks before the soil would dry 2 to 2.5 inches. Was I waiting to long and letting them dry out 2 much?. My thatch palm was very happy with this routine. It was my best looking palm and even put out 2 more fronds during the winter indoors.

I don't think I will need to repot for awhile, the pot I put it in is pretty big, the roots are progresin to the edge of the pot but I am pretty sure it has alwhile before its to big for this pot

Edited May 1, 2013 by michigan steve