question on my double Teddy Bear Palm

[Mohsen]

Finally I planted this double Dypsis Lepoto in ground last month , I wanted to separate them but I saw it was too risky as the roots been tangled badly so I just planted as they were...

Now I am thinking to cut the small one as I think they wont curve and also I want the big one see its highest potential,...My questions is L

1- How should I do this? just cut the stem?

2- what would be then? it wont rot and jeopardize the big one?

3- When should I do this? we are at the end of Summer here ?

Thanks for any help and comments

Mohsen

[doranakandawatta]

I would let them grow and decide, I am almost sure the smallest will die naturally in the competition of growth. 
I just wonder how it came, since D. leptocheilos is not clumping: two seedlings in one pot ? Wrong idea ...

[Mohsen]

3 hours ago, doranakandawatta said:

I would let them grow and decide, I am almost sure the smallest will die naturally in the competition of growth. 
I just wonder how it came, since D. leptocheilos is not clumping: two seedlings in one pot ? Wrong idea ...

Thanks Philippe, I think they deliberately put two seed in one pot...My worry is until the nature will do its act, the big one growth also be limited by competition, so why not cut the smallest down? what would be downside to this?

[doranakandawatta]

10 minutes ago, Mohsen said:

Thanks Philippe, I think they deliberately put two seed in one pot...My worry is until the nature will do its act, the big one growth also be limited by competition, so why not cut the smallest down? what would be downside to this?

Yes You Can !

Since these are two plants, I don't see the danger for the strongest, but having seen two Actinohytis growimg from the same seed, I saw that after few years, the smallest disappear by himself. 

Give your strong boy the best chances, let him be alone!

 

[Mohsen]

10 minutes ago, doranakandawatta said:

Yes You Can !

Since these are two plants, I don't see the danger for the strongest, but having seen two Actinohytis growimg from the same seed, I saw that after few years, the smallest disappear by himself. 

Give your strong boy the best chances, let him be alone!

Thanks Philippe
now you mention that, what if they are twins and from one seed? what then, cutting the small would harm the bigger brother? and if not, is there any season I 'd better do this or all the same?

[doranakandawatta]

Actually cutting the small with a garden scissor seems to be cruelty but it's safe for the bigger brother who is already trunking.

[Mohsen]

18 minutes ago, doranakandawatta said:

Actually cutting the small with a garden scissor seems to be cruelty but it's safe for the bigger brother who is already trunking.

Thanks Philippe

how down should I cut it ?

and I assume it won't hurt the big one even if they are not seperated plants and came from one seed!

[Mohsen]

@Pal MeirPal, what do you think?

[tim_brissy_13]

Mohsen - it's really your call but if it were me I'd leave them both alone. A few counter arguments to the above raised for removing the smaller one:

- a double trunked redneck will look great when they are mature assuming they have enough space (looks like your spot does)

- multiple planted solitary specimens do not always result in a weakening of one stem. In fact I'd say it's likely there will be negligible effect from leaving the smaller one. Some of my most robust stems are part of multiple planted groups.

- the smaller one may end up being the more robust grower. I've seen numerous times palms planted this size are ideal to go into the ground whereas palms that have already developed trunk while in pots may be limited in terms of ultimate size due to the restriction of the root zone while in a pot.

- finally an important consideration: leading in to their first winter in Sydney, each stem will have a naturally slightly different resistance to cold. I'd rather go into winter with 2 chances for survival (and the smaller stem will also receive some overhead shelter by the larger stem)

Hope I've helped but I've likely just made your decision harder.

[Mohsen]

12 minutes ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Mohsen - it's really your call but if it were me I'd leave them both alone. A few counter arguments to the above raised for removing the smaller one:

- a double trunked redneck will look great when they are mature assuming they have enough space (looks like your spot does)

- multiple planted solitary specimens do not always result in a weakening of one stem. In fact I'd say it's likely there will be negligible effect from leaving the smaller one. Some of my most robust stems are part of multiple planted groups.

- the smaller one may end up being the more robust grower. I've seen numerous times palms planted this size are ideal to go into the ground whereas palms that have already developed trunk while in pots may be limited in terms of ultimate size due to the restriction of the root zone while in a pot.

- finally an important consideration: leading in to their first winter in Sydney, each stem will have a naturally slightly different resistance to cold. I'd rather go into winter with 2 chances for survival (and the smaller stem will also receive some overhead shelter by the larger stem)

Hope I've helped but I've likely just made your decision harder.

Thanks Tim

your points are all valid , maybe it's better I don't make any quick decision and give it more thoughts ...thanks again 

[Pip]

I'd agrre with Tim on this one, just leave them be. 

[Palms4Steve]

I reckon no chop. I think it will look fine as a double. 

[doranakandawatta]

Back to the idea: let's see how the nature does the job !

[Mohsen]

Thanks all, I won't touch them , at least for another year