Dead Pygmy palm trunk can I remove it?

[Kataz]

I am in mesa az and a couple of trunks are dead on some of my potted Pygmy palms, can I cut off the dead trunks without hurting the palm? Do I need to cover the stump with anything after I cut them if so?

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 7/20/2024 at 6:56 PM, Kataz said:

I am in mesa az and a couple of trunks are dead on some of my potted Pygmy palms, can I cut off the dead trunks without hurting the palm? Do I need to cover the stump with anything after I cut them if so?

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Kataz, Welcome to the Forum,

Yes, you can cut it off. Because this palm species is a solitary -trunked palm ...with several seedlings grown together to create a multiple -trunked specimen, removing a dead trunk or two won't hurt the living ones, as long as they aren't damaged. 

Here? absolutely no need to cover any remaining stump left over after removing the dead material. Our heat / dry air will reduce the possibility of any fungal issues that can occur in a more humid climate as what is left of the stump decomposes, from being a problem here.

How does the rest of the palm look? Picture(s)?

 

[Kataz]

Pretty good, I give them 320z of watered down coffee once a month to help with the salt build up in the soil. A wise older gardener once told me to do that and they were thriving till this last year I have 6 around the pool and 3 have a dead trunk

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 7/20/2024 at 11:25 PM, Kataz said:

Pretty good, I give them 320z of watered down coffee once a month to help with the salt build up in the soil. A wise older gardener once told me to do that and they were thriving till this last year I have 6 around the pool and 3 have a dead trunk

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The really beat up specimen sitting in more sun / several hours of full sun, compared to the others?  

Yeah, no worries lopping off the dead trunks on those at all..

Keep in mind, last summer was absolutely brutal on a lot of stuff.  Esp. anything in pots  ..Well, last year, '19 and 2020 really.. That said, aside from the really beat up specimen,  the other two look pretty good, imo.  Really burnt looking specimen?  Being honest,  you may end up replacing that one unfortunately.

Aside from the Coffee, if that is the only food they're getting, i might feed them with something mild like Fish Emulsion / Kelp, with a sprinkling of single ingredient Fert. that has more than 10% K ( Potassium ) 3X's a year to combat any heat caused yellowing of the fronds.

One thing is for sure,  they're itching to get into either larger pots, or in the ground   -if you're able to plant them..

On a side note, funny to see this since I'd actually been contemplating grabbing a couple and putting them in pots.  Seeing this tells me it can be done here, even w/ our heat, lol.

[SeanK]

I think the pots are too small and the plants can't draw enough resources. When you pot them up, set them on carts 

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=dolly cart

 

[PalmatierMeg]

Agree with @SeanK.They look stunted and neglected and underpotted. I see you favor the “triple look”. Pygmy dates are common and cheap. Rather than try to save/repot those pathetic things, I suggest you chuck the lot then replace them with new triples.