Dividing Caryota mitis

[tjwalters]

I have a C. mitis that has been potted up for many years.  It used to have one central stem, but that died and two side shoots have taken over (one with a side shoot of its own).  Each is now about 3" in diameter, and the central (dead) stem has since rotted and fallen off.  I'm wondering if it would be possible to split these so they can be potted up in separate containers.  If so, how would one go about the task, and what are the chances of survival?

[tjwalters]

Hmmm...no opinions on this out there?

[bgl]

Thomas,

well, I have no experience with this, but I do have an opinion (maybe not what you're looking for... ). The question of splitting palms seems to be one of the most popular questions. When we have visitors here, and we walk past a group of Cyrtostachys renda, all of which are clumping like mad, the question I hear most often is "can the suckers be separated?". I have talked to people who have attempted this (I have NOT), and apparently it IS possible, but only if you get a good chunk of the rootball when you separate the sucker. This is tricky surgery, and the odds are definitely against you. There really are two separate scenarios (having also read the Adonidia merrillii thread):

1) separating single trunked palms that have been planted in the same pot, and

2) separating a sucker from a clumping palm

In scenario #1 (and based on my own experience), this is probably only a good idea if the palms havn't been in the pot very long, and it's fairly easy to separate the roots. If the palms have been in the pot for a good while (and the roots have filled up the pot) - FORGET IT. The roots are going to be so intertwined that it'll turn into a nightmare, with a very questionable outcome. So, why take the chance!? Buy another palm instead, and enjoy the group planting!

In scenario #2 (and in this one I have no experience), I can't help but wonder "WHY"??? Just enjoy the palm as it is instead of messing with it (with very questionable outcome), and again, just buy another palm or two!

I just happen to believe in a simple approach, whenever possible!

Oh, and welcome to the IPS Forum!

Bo-Göran

[wendisplantation]

Hi TJ

My Mom had a very small Ravenea rivularis that for some reason developed a small off shoot. We did very carefully inspect it to see if it had it's own roots, and it did. She took a very sharp knife and sliced the attached part off the main plant, and I took it home and put it in soil and kept it very damp and in the greenhouse where it had good air circulation and heat, full shade. That thing got new roots and started growing, I was very surprised. It sent out 2 spears, and lived over 2 years. Then, last summer I had to spend a few days in the hospital with my youngest daughter, and it got left in the sun with no water, and was fried when I came home. When I pulled it out of the soil, it had gotten more new roots than I had expected.

I don't think this result can be expected to be normal, but If you have a shoot that has it's own good roots, and a smallish attachment spot, you may have a good chance. I may sterilize the medium that it will be going into, just to help.

I don't think I would be brave enough to try it on your particular caryota, but you might be....

Good luck if you do try it!!

[Surf Guy]

Well said Bo!

[paulgila]

i have tried taking a sucker from c.renda in bali & the "CW" there is that it does not often survive.maybe with caryota mitis you have a better chance.

[fiji jim]

I do agree with Bo here but have done some division/seperation of C.renda for interest sake.

Sometimes it has improved the appearance of the clump by exposing more of the colored crownshafts, especially when small.

It is best to start by heaping some compost around the base of the clump so that it is covered a little higher than usual as this will help the sucker develop some roots that do not only grow in under the main stems. Leave this for a couple of  months and then using a sharp knife cut the sucker away from the mother leaving all roots atached ( only seperate the stems).

Then leave it for a month or two for it to increase and develop more of its own roots.

After some new growth is seen on the baby; saturate the soil and gently pull and wiggle the sucker free and plant in its own place keeping it saturated and shaded for a few weeks.

Not sure about fishtail palms but I have seen that others have done this with C.mitis and P.macarthurii.

However I do not like the look of any clumping sp as a only a single stem palm.

From our experience Adonidia are tough and take much abuse of root disturbance and group planted ones should also survive if the job is done with some respect.

[tjwalters]

Ah...when it rains...  

Maybe I'll leave well-enough alone.  After all, it does take up less floor space when it's all in one pot.  

Thanks for the advice.  (I wish the question was in regard to C. renda.  Oh well...)

[DoomsDave]

Don't separate it.

It won't live.  Just let it be bodoaciously multiple, and buy another one. . . .

dave