transplanting a double coconut tree

[Tyrone]

WOW. That's some serious palm moving. Thanks for the pics. I'm glad it wasn't given up on and just cut down. That's what would happen here.

[Zeeth]

Amazing job! Does anyone know if you have to book a hotel to go see the palms at Gaylord, or can you just walk in?

[Mike Evans]

Great story Brad. Glad to see it went to a somewhat local place. This was just one of the palms and cycads that were moved. Anyone that visits Kopsick Palm Park, Sunken Gardens or Gaylord Palms should think of Nate, Tom, Phil, Brad and Rick. They all have put in countless non-compensated hours and no reimbursement for mileage. They made this happen from being volunteers at Kopsick Palm Garden. Great job guys. It could not have been done w/o you!

[Eric in Orlando]

Thanks so much for the photos and thanks for the amazing job to save this rare specimen. Phil updated the attendees at the recent CFPACS meeting at Leu Gardens. The Gaylord Hotel atrium should be a great location for it; climate controlled and it will never outgrow the ceiling. I am also excited that there is a DC palm in the Orlando area now and look forward to seeing it and watching it grow.

Many thanks to all involved!

[hbernstein]

Just as a reply to the original posted question:

Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago had a Lodoicea on public display that was planted in the 1960's and outgrew its location. It had to be moved.

It was carefully dug and repositioned in the same Palm House where it had spent its entire life, so no great environmental change.

It took six years to finally die. It did nothing for several years, then began showing signs of soil subsidence around its base. It quickly browned up. Game was over.

Fortunately, a supervising Conservatory foreman developed a government-affiliated contact in the Seychelles. A fresh seed was obtained and germinated within a few months. The seedling is growing robustly and has about 65ft. of headroom to fill in the coming years.

[Justin]

Fascinating read. Thanks for sharing.

[cfkingfish]

I really hope it does end up making it. If it is like any of its relatives, it is a very hard transplant. To add to that, that plant is very stretched out due to its unique planting. If anyone can give us an update, I miss seeing this palm when I have been there.

[Palmaceae]

Awesome move. I remember seeing that palm several times at Dr. Young's place in the 80s, what a fascinating collection. It is great to see the collection moving to Kopsick and other places. Thanks to all that volunteer at Kopsick as I had a great time working at the palm arboretum with Tom Pavluvcik back in the 80s and 90s. I have yet to visit Kopsick since I moved back to Florida in June, have to take a trip up there!

[Jimbean]

awesome, maybe I'll visit there sometime.

[Ken Johnson]

Wow!

[OB Burt]

WOW

[PalmnutVN]

Wow, what a job! Nice so see such dedication put into saving such a worthy specimen!

Personally, I keep my double coconut in a pot

[floridascape]

Awesome... st. Pete is very fortunate to have been given the oppertunity to be stewards of this world class pricless collection. So happy that I can go an stroll the arboretum at my leisure. Anyone who hasnt should make it there next palmy destination. especialyl now uf your into cycads, Your mouth will hit the floor.

[Central Floridave]

Epic Palm Thread...

I'm glad I got to tour Dr. Young's garden with Central Florida Palm & Cycad Society a few years back. I remember seeing this palm and admiring it so much. The photos don't do it justice. Thanks for the transplant photos.

Long Live Dr.Young's Double Coconut Palm!

[Jeff Searle]

It sounds like the "moving team" was the best. It shows they went great lengths to do all they could in increasing their odds of it surviving. I sincerely hope it makes it.

[PalmatierMeg]

Great job and great ending. I hope she makes it. One thing I learned during the Biennial was that this palm is marginal at best in Miami. No way it could survive outdoors in St. Pete long term. I wouldn't want to be responsible for winter protection of this treasure.

[Cindy Adair]

Fascinating thread and I will certainly make he effort to visit when next in the area! I will be sure to thank Gaylord officials and spend some money there.

[floridascape]

Saw her over the weekend, so far so good. The spot that was chosen is beautiful and if there was any place in the state where this could thrive its at gaylord palms. The entire atrium was beautiful and maticulously planted, several aiphanes, arecca vestiaria, cathechu, awsome livistonias and caryotas. It was a theme park for green thumbs. I wish it a long happy life where it can be admired and treasured daily.

[Brad-Tampa]

Thank you very much for the update.

[Mandrew968]

AMAZING process. Can't say anyone skipped any steps--would have liked to have the reverse(planting) documented... I sure hope it makes it--I guess we will know in 6 years or less? Anyone using the three inch rule? lol

[Bigfish]

Seeing as the CFPACS is having their meeting today at that very location...I expect some recent pictures!

Amazing process there. Nice job!

[Moose]

Dis Fairchild Gardens move a big Borassodendron for a construction project by the Rainforest ?

Eric - Fairchild does not move anything, they are challenged just fertilizing. They utilize volunteers who band the fertilizer right up next to the trunk. Keith Lane moves their big stuff.

[Central Floridave]

I found this article on what hbernstein said about the Chicago palm:

Double Coconut Palm at Garfield Park Conservatory Thriving in Second Act

By Kyla Gardner on February 26, 2014 6:41am

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140226/east-garfield-park/double-coconut-palm-at-garfield-park-conservatory-thriving-second-act

I also posted some photos of the palm from the CFPACS meeting at Gaylord this past weekend here:

http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/44141-central-florida-palm-and-cycad-society-cfpacs-meeting-at-garylord-palms-orlando-dec-2014/

[Eric in Orlando]

Here is the Lodoicea, it was planted next to a Cocos nucifera

[Justin]

That doesn't look so hot. Is that normal after transplanting? I guess no one really knows, huh?

[Pando]

It's not very confident to see that brown leaf. I wonder if the spear is actually moving...?

[Brad-Tampa]

The spear is definitely growing. Faster than before the transplant. At first glance I was not encouraged, until I got close. The palm was previously growing so slowly that the frond already cut due to transplant shock was very old. The next question is if the new spear will open correctly and remain green.The atrium is installing a misting fogger humidifier which may help. I am actually hopeful. I am also encouraged by the atrium staff's commitment to the palm and the long time it will take to respond to the improved growing conditions. They know that if it survives it will be a treasure.

[Dave-Vero]

Here's another view. The spear is looking quite good.

[redbeard917]

Spear seems to be doing well. The old leaf is entirely brown.

I've been fascinated by these palms for years, and it's great to be able to see one, albeit a juvenile.

[redbeard917]

More pics.

[Pal Meir]

Oh, she doesn't look very healthy ...

The Botanical Garden Planten un Blomen in Hamburg/Germany owned also a very nice seedling of Lodoicea in 1973. In the same year there was the International Garden Festival IGA, and I don’t know what happened since with this fine palm. I think the Goofys and Mickey Mouses of that city didn’t even imagine what treasure they possessed at that time:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/palmeir/9872182034

[Brad-Tampa]

The latest report from the staff at Gaylord is that the new spear is opening and green. This is a very positive sign that the transplant may actually be successful.

[Pal Meir]

Any updates, newer pics?

[Brad-Tampa]

I was at Gaylord Palms this week and was able to check out Dad's DC. It looks like it survived the transplant, with the emerging leaf SLOWLY opening green and alive! Considering it never was a fast grower, it looks great.

[Pal Meir]

I was at Gaylord Palms this week and was able to check out Dad's DC. It looks like it survived the transplant, with the emerging leaf SLOWLY opening green and alive! Considering it never was a fast grower, it looks great.

DB1r2.jpg

Thanks for the update with new photo!

[Zeeth]

I was at Gaylord Palms this week and was able to check out Dad's DC. It looks like it survived the transplant, with the emerging leaf SLOWLY opening green and alive! Considering it never was a fast grower, it looks great.

DB1r2.jpg

Yaayy!!!

[Kostas]

That's awesome news!!!!

[Dave-Vero]

I should have dropped by on Tuesday. Might have an excuse tomorrow or Saturday.

[weldertom]

Just catching up here on the forum- this is a GREAT story.

Bravo!

[redbeard917]

Stopped by today to see if that leaf had opened. Looks like it's gone.