Trachy x Devils Ivy - Summer Experiment

[Zach K]

Howdy all,

I've been growing a devils ivy cutting in a jar with just water, in my office. It has a very healthy root system, pushes out new growth consistently, and shows no sign of slowing down (it could probably use some fertilizer though). With temps consistently warming up here in the PNW, I thought about planting the devil's ivy in the ground at the base of my young Trachy and seeing if it would climb. I'm not concerned at all about it being invasive as this thing wouldn't last 5 minutes in our "once a year, ice storm that halts the entire city."

Therefore, I have 3 Questions: 

1. Is it even worth it? My concern is that it won't actually put out enough leaves or ariel roots to be anything significant. plus, I only have a foot or two maybe of trunk ht. Heck it might take all summer just to latch on to the trunk. 

2a. If it did latch on very easily and quickly, do you think it would be a pain to rip it off the Trachy trunk in the fall time? (assuming I wanted to save the devils ivy and bring it back indoors)

2b. Would the Trachy's fibrous hairs come off with it? (I'm not worried necessarily as it won't affect the hardiness, rather just the look)

3. Has anyone seen Devils ivy ever grown on this palm before? 

 

Just a fun thought experiment for your cold hardy lovers.

[Swolte]

Sounds like a fun experiment. They naturally climb on trees and are non parasitic. I don't think there's any risk of harm to your Trachy and you should be able to remove it with little effort within a few minutes. I'd only worry if it becomes overgrown and starts to weigh the palm down and compete for light.  

[Tropicdoc]

I grow this up the trunk of T. martianus 

it’s cool. Just let it die over the winter to control it

cut a piece off and stick it in the ground 

with moisture it will grow new roots