Hi Everyone,

Its been a long time since I've poked my head in here. Raising kids and maintaining employment have taken over my life And since the big freezes of 2010 and 2011 in Texas, I haven't had much of an urge to push bondaries with palms (my cycads fared much better).

Anyway, I had an old Dypsis Pembana left that was small and in a pot (and therefore protected during the freezes). A couple years ago, its roots became weak and it fell over. I thought it was doomed, but I put stakes in the pot and amended the soil - then put it in shade/ICU for the last 2 years (which never got below 29F here). Its been looking much healthier lately.

Today, I was moving it out of its spot for spring cleaning and noticed that the crown had split. Now there are two growth points - roughly equal in size - each producing a new spear?!? I have heard this this palm can be of the 'suckering' variety - but this one never has. Its really odd and cool in a way.

Is this a common trait for this palm? Is it worth anything? (it's getting too big for me to take care of adequately and I dare not put it in the ground here - I don't have a good location anyway).

Thanks,

Matt

This is totally off topic but check out Dypsis SaintLucei and Kentiopsis Oliviformis, these have made it for me through the freezes against all odds (who woulda thought) and you seem to be into some of the rarer palms that could be growin in Houston.

Is this a common trait for this palm? Is it worth anything?

Hi Matt, one of my pembana has formed a second head as well, not super unusual I wouldn't think, everything has a price

Matt,

My pembana branched above ground after a spear pull event in 2010/11. It was frosted good and I though it was a goner. Mine started as a small curly looking spear and now has become a 2nd growth head.

Edited May 5, 201313 yr by sonoranfans