Growth markers for 2008

[PalmGuyWC]

Every year on Jan 1st I mark the palms that I want to check for frond growth for the coming year. I use the plastic ties that have an insert on one end. They are used for tieing up vines, etc. If it's a large palm I use two or three ties to make a ring.  I then put it over the newest emerging sphere, usually a few inches long, and then at the end of the year it's easy to count the fronds that have grown into the ring. This way there is no gessing how fast your palm grew in a year.

If I want to check how fast the emerging sphere is growing, rather than just put a mark with a waterproof felt tip pin where the sphere is emerging from a sheth, I stick a bamboo stake in the ground next to the palm and mark the emerging sphere at the top of the stake. This way you get a more accurate reading, as other parts or emerging fronds are growing also.

This only works for lower growing palms or baby palms, but I suppose you could use a ladder for taller palms, but usually if a ladder is required, you don't care how fast it's growing because it's already there. If it's a fast growing palm, you might want to connect enough ties to reach around the trunk, because at the end of the year, the trunk may have filled the plastic markers. (If your lucky)  

Does this make sense, and does anyone else use this method?

Dick

[PalmGuyWC]

Sorry, I didn't mean to post the above under Weather. My bad.

Dick