Bismarck Transplant Shock

[topwater]

Hi. I had two Bismarck palms planted one year ago and they still look exactly like they did when they went into the ground. They have not added or lost a single frond. I watered them daily through the summer as I heard they are water hogs until rooted, and trimmed maybe two fronds that were beaten up but not dead. I recently had a much larger one planted, about ten feet of trunk alone, and am wondering if I should do something besides wait and grind my teeth. I'm in zone 9b so I thought they'd do well. The near tree has a yard stick next to it for scale. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[Kostas]

Test the spear to see if its good and mark it to see the tiniest bit of growth. I think they should be fine since they got through the fist year without losing leafs, they are just rooting in. Expect 1-2 more years of waiting before normal growth resumes, especially with such large ones

[topwater]

Thanks Kostas. Sometimes the hardest yet most appropriate thing to do is nothing, at least for me. I have zero experience with Bismarckia. The spears look great and I did mark them. The pic is my new one. It's been in the dirt for only few weeks. Do you agree with daily watering for a full year? Other sources suggest twice daily for the first six months. I'm really more worried about the big guy. Our summers are very hot, but usually with plenty of rain. Thanks again.

[Ben in Norcal]

Were they actually transplanted, or just planted from a box? That's a really important distinction with a Bismarck.

[topwater]

The two small ones were in containers, but big enough that they had to beat most of the dirt off the root ball to move them, ie, they could not plant the whole container of soil. The big one was growing in sort of a sand pile with lots of other big palms, it had a root ball comparable to the small ones, for its size, but it was not containerized. Bismarckia is really rare in my area so the local nurseries aren't much help. I'm getting the impression that Texas is like a light year behind Florida and California with regard to palms.

[topwater]

Thanks for the reply Ben.

[bgl]

Since they still look good I'd take that as a VERY promising sign. Years ago I acquired a couple of Bismarckias (in pots) that were 8-10 ft tall, and the roots had grown into the soil so root damage was unavoidable when they were moved. All the lower fronds quickly turned brown after they had been planted, and by quickly I mean within a week or so. The top fronds and the new spike - all fine. It took a long time (possibly as much as a year) for the palms to begin growing normally again. Bottom line the way I see it - your palms are probably still getting established. Growing new roots etc., and I am guessing you'll see some results soon now that warmer weather is about to happen.

[nkbish]

I have a few small ones kind of doing the same thing. Here is a link to a recent thread with a 24" box bismarckia I planted. The older fronds look bad but the spear is still pushing. I have been keeping the vitamin b up with a light liquid fertilizer. I have a medium to heavy soil and have been watering with a very slow drip from a hose every 3 days for around 4 hours. Good luck.

http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/45332-24-box-solo-planting/

Edited May 4, 2015 by nkbish

[topwater]

Thanks to your link I now have serious island envy bgl! It's lovely. The Bismarcks were planted at the same time as some some foxtails and Washingtonia, both of which are off to the races, hard to tell who is happier, whereas the Bismarcks went into suspended animation and got me nervous. Thanks for the replies, I'll sleep better tonight.

[Ben in Norcal]

I agree, you should be fine. Bismarcks seem to take a year or two to get their feet down.

No harm marking the spear(s) and checking for growth, though.

[trioderob]

one thing tho

if next year nothing happens don't waste time with them - get new plants

these things are rocket ships if they are happy you are talking 5 gallon to 20 foot in 5 years

[topwater]

Wow nkbish, my back hurts just looking at the pictures! Getting old sucks. I was fortunate enough to drink beer and watch while mine hit the ground. The hole diggers got a really big tip so we all left happy! The day the $&@:$ running Texas "secure the border" will be the day that ends. Sorry for the mini-rant.

[Alicehunter2000]

Your really lucky the big one didn't die. Root disturbance and Bismarkia are to things that don't go good together usually. That being said you are past the critical point...nothing to do but wait. Nice Bizzy!

[Brad Mondel]

My bizzie only opened spears when it got really hot and rainy. I read somewhere that they open spears in monsoon-like weather the best. That's just what happened to me though.

[topwater]

I'm going to show mine a pic of your avatar!

[Kevin S]

I planted one three years ago and it's finally starting to really grow before that it just sat there and did nothing. No new leaves nothing for over two years.

[sur4z]

My bizzie only opened spears when it got really hot and rainy. I read somewhere that they open spears in monsoon-like weather the best. That's just what happened to me though.

Interesting observation. A few years ago I planted a field grown Bizzy that had 3-4 feet of wood. It did nothing for a couple years and it looked like it was a gonner. Then we had 2 hurricanes that beat my place up ( I lost 3 hurricane palms...go figure) but the Bizzy woke up and has been a beast ever since.

[Brad Mondel]

My bizzie only opened spears when it got really hot and rainy. I read somewhere that they open spears in monsoon-like weather the best. That's just what happened to me though.

Interesting observation. A few years ago I planted a field grown Bizzy that had 3-4 feet of wood. It did nothing for a couple years and it looked like it was a gonner. Then we had 2 hurricanes that beat my place up ( I lost 3 hurricane palms...go figure) but the Bizzy woke up and has been a beast ever since.

Maybe if he mimics a monsoon or hurricane he can wake up his bizzies

[topwater]

Id rather have my in-laws over than go through another hurricane anytime soon. "Ike" was enough to last me a long while. And I'm divorced

[The7thLegend]

When you planted, did you fertilize any?

[topwater]

No, I didn't, heard it was a bad idea.

[Hammer]

I planted a Bizzie back in summer of 2012. No roots were damaged but in the process of putting it in the ground all the dirt fell away from the rootball.

It didn't move an inch until summer the next year. But then it took off. Yours will be fine. Wait for hot weather, your palms will go nuts.

If they were going to die from transplant shock, my guess is it would have happened by now.

[topwater]

Looks like today a spear is starting to open. Thanks all for the reassurance, I think all the good IPS karma rubbed off on her! I've really been impressed with how knowledgeable you guys are.