T. martianus Khasia, Nepal and latisectus with bending petioles

[Alberto]

Some years I´m noticing that my Trachycarpus martianus Kasia Hills and T. martianus Nepal and specially T. latisectus shows the lower fronds with bended and broken petioles. This didn´t stop the growth. I don´t know if this is a normal behaviour or some disease or lack of nutrient? Some fronds are still very green when they bend, this is a reason I think it´s not normal....Have you seen this or something similar?

This is one of my Trachycarpus latisectus

[Alberto]

Trachycarpus martianus Nepal

[Alberto]

From left to right : 2 T. matianus Khasia Hill and right a T. latisectus. Again this T. latisectus is more "affected"

[Pedro 65]

Alberto, I can't answer "why" the petioles are bending , but maybe because they are so long and its only happening to the "oldest", I'd simply cut them off and paint seal where you cut.

Also, I love using Bamboo leaves as mulch as it releases "Silica"which very much helps "strengthen" plants, if you don't have any Bamboo growing you can buy Silica in a bottle.

Pete

[Josh-O]

could be from lack of water??

[Brad Mondel]

They grow like that in their natural habitat so I think it's normal. I wouldn't cut them off until they turn brown or yellow. That way the stem absorbs all of the nutrients from the leaves first.

[Pal Meir]

I also agree with the comments above. In case of the adult trees it looks quite normal to me. Only in case of the non-adult T. martianus Nepal in #2 it doesn’t look "normal". Maybe you should give it some more water?

PS

Also my adult Acoelorrhape and Chamaerops had similar hanging leaves when they didn’t need them any more. But the kink in the petioles let me suspect that they all need some more (ground) water.

[redbeard917]

Alberto, I can't answer "why" the petioles are bending , but maybe because they are so long and its only happening to the "oldest", I'd simply cut them off and paint seal where you cut.

Also, I love using Bamboo leaves as mulch as it releases "Silica"which very much helps "strengthen" plants, if you don't have any Bamboo growing you can buy Silica in a bottle.

Pete

The Trachycarpus look very nice but unfortunately I can't help. With regard to the quoted comment, the bamboo leaves release silica when used as mulch? Isn't silica a common mineral in sand?

[JasonD]

I see this on T. martianus in California. I assumed water might be the cause, or that it was just the habit of the species.

[Jim in Los Altos]

All three of mine do the same thing and, as soon as the drooping stems and lease yellow, I trim them off.

[Pal Meir]

Alberto, I can't answer "why" the petioles are bending , but maybe because they are so long and its only happening to the "oldest", I'd simply cut them off and paint seal where you cut.

Also, I love using Bamboo leaves as mulch as it releases "Silica"which very much helps "strengthen" plants, if you don't have any Bamboo growing you can buy Silica in a bottle.

Pete

The Trachycarpus look very nice but unfortunately I can't help. With regard to the quoted comment, the bamboo leaves release silica when used as mulch? Isn't silica a common mineral in sand?

The SiO2 in the state of the mineral quartz (as in sand) or most other silicates is not soluble for plants.

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

The wind accelerates this look for my fortunai's. My deciduous trees in the backyard are not mature and I live up on a hill where the prevailing southerly winds whip the palms pretty bad, especially during intense storms. I leave them hang until they brown.

[Alberto]

Thanks for all the replies!

[Phoenikakias]

Ido not like the brown transverse stripe on some petioles! I suspect some peripheral rot in the crown. Petioles bend because their still unexposed bases rot prematurily...

Edited August 5, 2015 by Phoenikakias