Pigafetta elata Question

[gavilan1]

I have a Pigafetta elata sprout that is currently opening its fourth frond in my coldframe.  During the day, it gets up to the mid 90s F and down to the low 60s F at night.  It seems to be growing well, albeit with some very small brown leaf spotting.  I keep the soil in the container moist, and humidity runs between 60 and 85% over a 24 hour period.  The coldframe is misted once in the morning, and once more about an hour before sunset.  One of the original three fronds dried out a few days ago, just as the new spear began to open.  Can anyone here provide me with culture requirements for this specimen?  Thanks in advance.

[cfkingfish]

These are tough mofos to grow outside the tropics. They hate transplants, low humidity, and root disturbance. Keep them in a pot for a while when younger and very wet, and most should come through.

[jdapalms]

Another thing to watch out for is spider mites, they love pigafeta's. You will have a big palm very soon. They will not survive the Calif. climate outdoors for the long term. You may get a few winters out of it if the next few winters are mild. They do great in a cold frame I have had them grow quite large in my cold frame in the past and inevitably the bugs got the best of them.  

Jerry

[Daryl]

I kinda agree with what the others have said.

They are lotsa palms.The two things that will really make them thrive are lotsa heat and lotsa water. Given this they will put on lotsa growth.

My advice...

1. Plant into the ground at the earliest possible age.

2. Give them full sun (maybe some light shade cloth till the first 'in situ' leaf opens.

3. NEVER let the soil dry out EVER

4. Keep them warm in winter (will tolerate low temps around freezing for short periods)

5. Give plenty of mild fertiliser (regularly..every time a new leaf opens, say every two weeks)

6. Don't use strong chemical fertilisers.

7. Don't shade them out with other plants

8. Don't over water in Winter

9. Over water to your heart's content in summer.

10. Plant several to increase your odds.

regards,

Daryl

Here is the trunk on mine after 4 years and 5 months. This time last year it had no trunk...

[gavilan1]

I thought it helpful to post an image of this young Pig since I noticed this afternoon that the two existing leaf tips are starting to dry out, now that a new (fourth) spear is opening.     Should I be concerned?  Any ideas as to what I'm seeing here (aside from the messy table, since I took this in a hurry)?  Growing conditions are listed above.  The sprout is visibly potted inside of a yellow shipping sleeve, which I was told wasn't a problem by the nursery, as the Pig would eventually break the sleeve and grow out of it.  Could this be causing problems, or could moving the container about the coldframe be causing this drying of the leaf tips?  I have heard that Pigs don't like to be moved.  Any comments welcomed.