Which palms can you use air layering to make them smaller?

[John2468]

Which palms can you use air layering to make them smaller?

Edited May 14, 2021 by John2468

[Darold Petty]

I have air layered two Chamaedorea metallica palms, from six feet tall, down to three feet tall, using a clever pot,   www.rooterpot.com.

  Darold Petty said:

I was fortunate to receive a gift split-leaf from Dick many years ago. As you can see, it has grown somewhat since then!

 

 

This palm is in the original container, a plastic pot 15cm dia. x 18 cm tall (6x7"). The trunk is 203 cm tall (80"), and the crown is 30cm (12"), for a grand total of 251 cm (99"), equalling the room height. The trunk has 128 leafbase scars. This species is one of the few that can be 'mossed' to induce adventitious roots higher up. Then the top can be cut off and re-started shorter. At first I planned to do that, but as time passed, I found it more interesting to see how high this palm could go! Another one of similar size has died, so I will re-start this one soon.

(Besides, it's getting too tall for my greenhouse! 

 

[NOT A TA]

1 hour ago, Darold Petty said:

using a clever pot,

Never knew there was a product like that. I've been making similar pots out of plastic coffee containers for years.

[waykoolplantz]

the rooterpot is also great for air layering Crotons

 

[Björn]

How did you do that? I have the same problem with my Metallica, reaching the ceiling of the room. Do I have to make some cuts into the stem before placing the moss around? And how long does it take until the palm grows new roots? 

Thanks for your answer! 

[Darold Petty]

Don't wound the trunk,  just look for a spot where you can see the small bumps indicating latent adventitious roots.  I left the rooter pot on the trunk for several months, but did not check periodically, so I don't have an idea about the minimum time frame.  After 10 months there was extensive new root formation, and the palm did not suffer any setback when I severed the stem.

Welcome to Palmtalk !  

[Björn]

Thanks for your reply!

Hopefully this will work, I have this palm for 20 years now and I would miss her very much! 

[tinman10101]

On 5/14/2021 at 6:22 AM, Darold Petty said:

I have air layered two Chamaedorea metallica palms, from six feet tall, down to three feet tall, using a clever pot,   www.rooterpot.com.

  Darold Petty said:

I was fortunate to receive a gift split-leaf from Dick many years ago. As you can see, it has grown somewhat since then!

 

 

This palm is in the original container, a plastic pot 15cm dia. x 18 cm tall (6x7"). The trunk is 203 cm tall (80"), and the crown is 30cm (12"), for a grand total of 251 cm (99"), equalling the room height. The trunk has 128 leafbase scars. This species is one of the few that can be 'mossed' to induce adventitious roots higher up. Then the top can be cut off and re-started shorter. At first I planned to do that, but as time passed, I found it more interesting to see how high this palm could go! Another one of similar size has died, so I will re-start this one soon.

(Besides, it's getting too tall for my greenhouse! 

 

this is really cool @Darold Petty ... is there a US Distributor for this pot?

[Darold Petty]

This company is a highly recommended source and a local small business with a strong social and community consciousness,  they are out of stock at this moment

  Wait for this company, they have a feature to alert you when stock is replenished.

  Please don't give any business to Jeff Bezos.

https://www.groworganic.com/products/rooter-pot-large