Dypsis prestoniana leaves - a weighty subject

[Tracy]

As one of my Dypsis prestonianas gets taller it has difficulty supporting the weight of the oldest leaves.  The first place this became apparent was toward the bottom of the retained leaf sheath of the oldest frond.  As the leaf aged, I would notice a buckling of sorts on the "back side" of the crownshaft from where it opens.  This would never be present when the crownshaft first becomes visible when the prior sheath came off, only developing over time.

[Tracy]

The oldest leaf was getting a little support though, as it is perpendicular to my side wall, so when they grow in this direction they can actually reach over the wall.  In this case, it didn't happen until the leaf dropped low enough to actually rest on the wall.  So it's still green and up off the ground!  But I'm also seeing a little buckling where the petiole and leaf sheath meet on this frond. 

Unfortunately, the next frond is pointing in a direction lacking an elevated support and showing the same buckling at petiole and leaf sheath juncture.  Perhaps to weighty to support itself any longer.  Gravity taking over in this case until it hits the ground  Unfortunately after taking these photos the next day this frond continued to drop down on my Encephalartos princeps.  I was left with little choice other than removing the second oldest frond, while leaving up the oldest resting on the fence.

So, I have seen this happen frequently with my Dypsis lanceolata's with one being more prone than the other to this.  My smaller Dypisis prestoniana doesn't seem to experience the petiole base drop, only the buckle at the bottom of the crownshaft as the frond ages.  Is this typical of your larger Dypsis species?  Please share.

[John hovancsek]

I have seen this happen after a drought and then a bunch of rain. Sometimes  it just happens. I wonder if there is any other reason 

[joe_OC]

That frond is definitely spent.  It's starting to yellow.  Also notice that the palm is flowering.  A lot of energy is spent by this palm right now.  Looks like it is just discarding the old frond as fast as possible since it is no longer producing energy for the palm.  I don't know what your temps have been like, but it's been on the warm side.  Maybe some extra irrigation would help?

 

J

[Tracy]

2 hours ago, joe_OC said:

That frond is definitely spent.  It's starting to yellow.  Also notice that the palm is flowering.  A lot of energy is spent by this palm right now.  Looks like it is just discarding the old frond as fast as possible since it is no longer producing energy for the palm.  I don't know what your temps have been like, but it's been on the warm side.  Maybe some extra irrigation would help?

 

J

Good feedback Joe.  They have received an extra dose of water since I just hand fertilized with some PalmPlus time released granules over the weekend.  Interesting that my other Dypsis prestoniana variation doesn't seem to do this.  Marine layer has been coming in and out with only a couple of clear mornings, so while hot for here, only in the mid 80's for a high.  It is pulling a lot of energy now with two inflorescence pushed out.

[DoomsDave]

Wow, @Tracy you have a real treasure house!

I've noted that many palms do what you describe, as they get bigger and ready to, or start to, flower. The plant just sorta busts loose, kinda like puberty, which I think it really is. The Chambeyroneas in particular seem to do that, especially my great big fat one.

[-2 brian]

I have the exact same buckling at the petiole on my roystonia. The bottom few fronds are starting to drop low and are buckled where the petiole meets the crownshaft even though there is a few older fronds that would be next to drop before it’s there turn. Maybe it’s something that happens to the more heavier fronded species?