Butia capitata question

[Enzo]

This Butia was transplanted, with few roots, 3 years ago from the land and locates in a pot in a humid and shade area until march 2010. I planted this Butia in a drained ground.

The problem, on my advise, is that the collar strangles the leaves that grow and wizen very soon as showed on the attached pictures.

Can you help me?

[Alicehunter2000]

If the ground you planted in is very well drained and the palm is now in full sun then it will start holding more fronds. It may take awhile, but Butia are very tough and slow. Only water the ground not the plant trunk or leaves. It may take a few years before it looks more normal. Is your soil sandy? If it is then don't forget to water as the root system sounds pretty small.

You can make the palm "boots" look better by using a flat cut. People here use either a hacksaw, or circular saw to achieve this look. This is not the "pinapple cut" that you might see on a Phoenix canary...but a level,flat cut parallel to the ground.

Good luck.

[Alicehunter2000]

Tried to find an example of the boot cut and this is as close as I could come up with...hope it helps...those boots look terrible on that poor palm of yours.

[WestCoastGal]

I'm a new palm and butia owner so don't have much actual growing experience to draw on. I do agree about the trimming but maybe you want to wait a little bit to neaten up and give it more of chance to grow a bit. The new fronds look healthy to me. Do you know what caused the damage to the cut and crispy brown one? Despite it looking bad I would keep it around as long as possible for the photosynthesis/energy of the palm. Regarding the watering, since you mentioned it didn't have much in the way of roots I would suggest deep slow watering to help promote the downward roots. With some sun and water and time I suspect this hardy little guy will start putting on some width. They are slow growers but do like the sun so maybe the past shady location has kept it's growth minimal.

I'm unaware of Italian climate and seasons and when to fertizile in your area but hopefully someone can provide some assistance on doing so.

Edited December 28, 2010 by WestCoastGal

[Enzo]

Is your soil sandy? If it is then don't forget to water as the root system sounds pretty small.

Alicehunter2000

Hello, the soil is sandy and there are water problems.

Do you know what caused the damage to the cut and crispy brown one?

WestCoastGal

The placement in a shady spot and very humid, probably caused the problem in the upper part of the plant(rot or fungus?)

I should treat with antifungal?

[insipidtoast]

Is your soil sandy? If it is then don't forget to water as the root system sounds pretty small.

Alicehunter2000

Hello, the soil is sandy and there are water problems.

Do you know what caused the damage to the cut and crispy brown one?

WestCoastGal

The placement in a shady spot and very humid, probably caused the problem in the upper part of the plant(rot or fungus?)

I should treat with antifungal?

That doesn't look at all like a Butia capitata to me.

[Enzo]

That doesn't look at all like a Butia capitata to me.

maybe not resembles, but it is certainly a Butia capitata.

The experts at the forum what they think of treatment antifungal?

Thank you in advance

[pindo]

Hi Enzo, how are you?

Can you show pictures of the container and the apex?

In 3 years, How many leaves were born?

Jose

[Enzo]

Hi Enzo, how are you?

Can you show pictures of the container and the apex?

In 3 years, How many leaves were born?

Jose

I'm OK, thanks!. The Butia not very well

Was planted 10 months ago, produced 8 leaves but wizen very soon. In the container(after explantation) 2 leaves in 2 years.

The collar strangles the leaves, the apical part(brown/to seems rotten) very tighten the new leaves.

I need to cut the apical part of the old brown leaves?

What do you think of treatment antifungal?

What can I do?

[pindo]

Hi Enzo, how are you?

Can you show pictures of the container and the apex?

In 3 years, How many leaves were born?

Jose

I'm OK, thanks!. The Butia not very well

Was planted 10 months ago, produced 8 leaves but wizen very soon. In the container(after explantation) 2 leaves in 2 years.

The collar strangles the leaves, the apical part(brown/to seems rotten) very tighten the new leaves.

I need to cut the apical part of the old brown leaves?

What do you think of treatment antifungal?

What can I do?

I send you an PM

[Alicehunter2000]

I would treat it with an antifungal.

This palm doesn't look like it wants any more water in the crown. The sunny location and sandy soil will help with your problem. Butia survives as a potted palm very well at this size so I don't think the pot was hurting it. Deep shade and too much water in the crown was probably the main problem.

It might be a couple of years before you see solid growth....be patient.

Trimming the palm boots will not only look better but will also allow the apex and trunk area to dry more effectively. There is too much ragged surface area for mold and other fungus to hide. Clean it up and it will not only look better but may improve the health of the palm. Be sure to use sterile equipment when you trim (clean your tools with alcohol)

Edited January 3, 2011 by Alicehunter2000

[Enzo]

I would treat it with an antifungal.

This palm doesn't look like it wants any more water in the crown. The sunny location and sandy soil will help with your problem. Butia survives as a potted palm very well at this size so I don't think the pot was hurting it. Deep shade and too much water in the crown was probably the main problem.

It might be a couple of years before you see solid growth....be patient.

Trimming the palm boots will not only look better but will also allow the apex and trunk area to dry more effectively. There is too much ragged surface area for mold and other fungus to hide. Clean it up and it will not only look better but may improve the health of the palm. Be sure to use sterile equipment when you trim (clean your tools with alcohol)

Thanks David, I like you.

Now is in the ground, produces many leaves but wizen, the apex is strangled , probably due to stress from explant and why after placed in the shade and very humid for 2 years:

[Palm crazy]

Butia on Cougar Mountain, Washington state. Photo from 2005.

Edited January 4, 2011 by Palm crazy