Mini Sabal palmetto?

[fr8train]

I found this palm at local nursery, and I was wondering what would cause it to trunk at this size? The other palms around it that were this size were not trunking. I took a shot with full size palmetto around it too. I'm also curious what you all think a fair price would be for something like this?

 

Edited January 18 by fr8train

[JLM]

Its probably been underpotted for its entire life and/or underwatered.

[fr8train]

1 hour ago, JLM said:

Its probably been underpotted for its entire life and/or underwatered.

If you pot it up, or put it in the ground, do you think it will remain stunted like this? 

 

I kinda like how it looks, it's like a bonsai or something. 

Edited January 18 by fr8train

[ZPalms]

I think once it’s In the ground it will resume like normal, even bonsais if you plant them they usually return back to normal

[fr8train]

2 hours ago, ZPalms said:

I think once it’s In the ground it will resume like normal, even bonsais if you plant them they usually return back to normal

Will palms grow a thicker trunk, once they start trunking? Since they're not really like traditional trees? 

[fr8train]

I'd buy it and try to keep it like it is, but I think it was over $400, so no go, unfortunately. I'm not 100% sure on the price as the tag was very faded. 

[Las Palmas Norte]

I'd go in with " it's stunted and needs rescuing" approach and offer $200. 

[PalmatierMeg]

It's stunted and neglected. If you planted it, watered and fertilized it, it will probably grow but I don't see it ever reaching the healthy state of a cared-for palm. If you planted it, then avoided watering and fertilizing it you might be able to preserve its stunted size - to what purpose only you know. Unlike Sabal minor, I know of no trunking Sabals that display genetic dwarfism. I wouldn't pay $200 for it, much less $400. You need to ask for a deep discount to rescue/salvage the pitiful thing.

[fr8train]

2 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

It's stunted and neglected. If you planted it, watered and fertilized it, it will probably grow but I don't see it ever reaching the healthy state of a cared-for palm. If you planted it, then avoided watering and fertilizing it you might be able to preserve its stunted size - to what purpose only you know. Unlike Sabal minor, I know of no trunking Sabals that display genetic dwarfism. I wouldn't pay $200 for it, much less $400. You need to ask for a deep discount to rescue/salvage the pitiful thing.

I take it you're not a fan of bonsai.

Edited January 19 by fr8train

[PalmatierMeg]

Great marketing concept! “It’s not stunted and neglected - it’s bonsai-ed.” And thus worth 2x the price of garden variety Sabal palmettos.

I have nothing against bonsai, esp. those that are creations of skill and talent. But bonsai “by default”? Not so much. I feel sorry for the wretched thing in the photo. If I could get and plant it at a cost that doesn’t bankrupt my 401K I’d give the idea thought. But I don’t care to see another palm lover ripped off. And I reiterate: you can obtain a genetically coded bonsai by finding one of of the Sabal minor dwarfs: Blountstown, Wakulla, Chipola…… They are tiny, i.e., so-called “rock garden” palms but they don’t trunk.