Mule Palm Decision

[Dartolution]

In January 2020 I received my Mule Palm from MPOM. Over the last 5 years its grown substantially and now I am faced with a decision to up-pot yet again, sale it, or plant it. 

 

Of course I chose to plant it. A new pot the next size up would be about $300, and then what? In 2 years I'll be faced with the same predicament. 

This mule has endured the last 3 seasons outside since it's been too large to come in the house since 2022. The lowest we've been since then is 10F and its suffered minimal to no damage (granted - I laid it on the ground and threw a bed sheet over it when it got that cold). Otherwise it's stayed outside year-round. 

Now, before anyone comes for me about planting it (Yes, I'm in zone 8) my logic is that considering its survival and knowing its marginal palm here - I am willing to see what happens. Who knows, maybe we won't have anymore century level events for the next 100 years. *fingers crossed* 

 

Anyway, the predicament has been WHERE to plant it; the backyard is quite full these days. 

So, the decision to remove my Namwah banana mat was made yesterday, and plant the mule in its place.

While I love my bananas, and they do extremely well here - the Namwah was the right plant in the WRONG place and was a constant pain to keep off of the fence, and off of the patio. Not to mention I have plenty of other varieties of bananas. I made the right move. 

After 9 hours with only a quick dinner break today I managed to somehow remove the established mat of namwahs, and excavate a planting hole for the mule. (word to the wise - do not plant bananas without intent. Be sure that's where you want them for all eternity and have ample room around them. Oh, and use heavy lifting equipment if you need to move them.... ugh😫) 

 

Post trunk chop from winter and now the heavy lifting begins...

 

About 2.5hours into it and I'm questioning my life choices ..... 

 

 

QUEUE 200 LB POTATO..... 

 

 

After about 6 hours I finally managed to get the giant potato from hell out of the ground and dig out a 2 foot deep 2 foot wide meteor impact crater .... *notice the red clay - if you know you know* 

 

Once removed from its prison... er, I mean pot.... 

I had to do some root pruning/releasing. It was extremely root bound and swirling. 

 

Once the mess of roots had been freed from themselves - the rest is the easy part. 

To settle in I made sure to add plenty of plant tone and water in incrementally as I back filled the hole using a mix of seaweed extract, superthrive, and root stimulator water. Hopefully that will minimize transplant shock. Fingers crossed. I do expect to lose some of the lower fronds just from how aggressive I had to be with the root mass. 

 

Finally after about 9 grueling hours, sunburnt and bleeding .... 

 

Hopefully the Mule likes this spot as much as the bananas did, and I get to see some explosive growth. 

As per usual it will receive nothing but regular waterings with seaweed and unsulfured molasses water to establish the root/soil microbiome this season with no fertilizers for the next 90 days. 

 

 

 

IMG_0208.HEIC

[Ben G.]

Good luck with it! I hope you get many good years out of it. That looks like a really tiring day...and exactly how every weekend should be. Thank goodness spring is here.

[Fusca]

Wow, I know what that clay is like!  You got some good exercise.  That's impressive that it only had minimal damage at 10°F!  Sounds like a winner and you made a good call. 

[Dartolution]

@Fusca indeed… who said gardening doesn’t give you exercise LOL 

Yes, the red clay is basically cement once it begins to dry. I swear you can build a house out of it. 
 

It’s had no supplemental heat during the last 3 winters events. Just a bedsheet over it on the ground. 
I know being upright is more exposed but my thought is that it would be worth trying considering it’s made it this far. 

[LeonardHolmes]

Beautiful palm.  Good luck with it! I have some of the MPOM seedlings potted-up and I will face the same dilemma at some point.

[Hillizard]

Here's my own "Mule Palm Decision"!

This palm was originally from Phil (JM) and grew faster than I expected over the past 10+ years, coming too close to the overhead powerlines. So this week my local electric utility company -- at no charge -- chainsawed it down to ground level. They did a good job protecting the other palms and plants around it. Next I'll hire a landscaper to dig out the trunk base and roots. Originally I'd contacted more than one NorCal palm nursery to give it away but they all decided it would be too expensive to move a 'common' palm like this. It does free up more space for planting and at least now the blue Butia nearby will enjoy more sun. Still, I'll miss this palm., it was a landmark in my garden. It even bloomed and set hundreds of (infertile) seeds. ☹️ BTW, those are blooming Tecomas on either side of it, beloved by hummingbirds.

[Fusca]

45 minutes ago, Hillizard said:

Here's my own "Mule Palm Decision"!

This palm was originally from Phil (JM) and grew faster than I expected over the past 10+ years, coming too close to the overhead powerlines. So this week my local electric utility company -- at no charge -- chainsawed it down to ground level. They did a good job protecting the other palms and plants around it. Next I'll hire a landscaper to dig out the trunk base and roots. Originally I'd contacted more than one NorCal palm nursery to give it away but they all decided it would be too expensive to move a 'common' palm like this. It does free up more space for planting and at least now the blue Butia nearby will enjoy more sun. Still, I'll miss this palm., it was a landmark in my garden. It even bloomed and set hundreds of (infertile) seeds. ☹️ BTW, those are blooming Tecomas on either side of it, beloved by hummingbirds.

Ouch!  That sux to lose such a beautiful and healthy palm!

[Dartolution]

@Hillizard thats painful to see! 

Thankfully all of our power lines here are buried.