Dead or not?

[Than]

My Dypsis leptocheilos is in the ground (big mistake) since about a year ago. It went through winter with very little protection. It looked OK until about 3 weeks ago and since then it deteriorated rapidly. It's now stopped and there is still green in the centre. When I pull it it won't move. Is there any hope?

 

[Jonathan]

Call the undertaker I'm sorry to say Than, it looks pretty bad.

I've had this happen so many times that I've coined a term for it: Spring Surprise Syndrome. The marginal species holds on all through winter and then just long enough into spring to give you hope...then Surprise! It keels over rather than kicking on. 

My guess is that the plant becomes so stressed and damaged during winter that the attempt at new growth in spring fatally depletes the last of its reserves.

[Phoenikakias]

Which part does remain still green, old or new growth?

[Than]

39 minutes ago, Phoenikakias said:

Which part does remain still green, old or new growth?

New; the very heart of the plant. 

[Phoenikakias]

40 minutes ago, Than said:

New; the very heart of the plant. 

Then it may have some chances of recovery. I would pour some hydrogen peroxide in to the center.

[Tomas]

On 4/27/2026 at 2:53 PM, Jonathan said:

Call the undertaker I'm sorry to say Than, it looks pretty bad.

I've had this happen so many times that I've coined a term for it: Spring Surprise Syndrome. The marginal species holds on all through winter and then just long enough into spring to give you hope...then Surprise! It keels over rather than kicking on. 

My guess is that the plant becomes so stressed and damaged during winter that the attempt at new growth in spring fatally depletes the last of its reserves.

You're absolutely right. A friend of mine received a beautiful Johannesteismania, and since he likes to experiment, he decided to leave it outside during the winter. When I told him the palm had no hope, he kept telling me throughout the winter that the plant was doing very well. But during the first two or three really warm days, the plant dried up very quickly. In reality, its cells were killed long before, but with the low temperatures, it was hibernating.