Trunking Chamaerops humilis

[WSimpson]

 

First a picture of my Washy at the end of the driveway  . Then I have  a picture of my Chammy's   trunk , and another showing it  next to  my big  Butia . It's It's

Its hard to see my Chammy very well since the Butia has gotten so big over the last few  years , but it is trunking and is 8' to the tip of the highest frond . It seemed like I planted them far enough apart but sometimes one miscalculates . 

Edited August 27, 2020 by Will Simpson

[DAVEinMB]

@Will Simpson I love a solitary trunk chamaerops. There are quite a few large multi-headed specimens in town but finding a solo is tougher. The suckers on mine will continue to meet the Sawzall until they go away 

[WSimpson]

 I trimmed off a few suckers  too . They may not be all that bad because if something catastrophic  happens to the main trunk one winter's night , those suckers will be there to start growing out . 

I don't see any Chammys around here in town .

Will

Edited August 27, 2020 by Will Simpson

[WSimpson]

I found a picture of it on  November 30th , 2009 . It's to the left of the Trachy with lights on it . The Butia wouldn't be planted next to it  for several more years .

I just noticed my  Trachy naintal to the far right . That Trachy is way bigger now , and very robust . 

 

Edited August 27, 2020 by Will Simpson

[Ben G.]

They look great Will. It's been fun to watch them grow over the years. I was just thinking about it, and I think I've been seeing pics of your landscape evolve for at least ten years now. Time flies when you're having a good time I guess.

[WSimpson]

Thanks Ben . 

It's amazing how fast plants grow ; transforming the landscape so fast . 

Fun stuff .

Will

[RaleighNC]

Will, Are these all in Winston-Salem? If so, you have had some great success with these palms, particularly the Washy! How long have these been in the ground?

Bill

[WSimpson]

Thanks Bill .

The Washy is 10 seasons in the ground counting this season . That Med Fan has been in the ground 11 seasons . Some of my Trachys have been planted for 16? years or so . My Birminghams have been in the ground from 8 years to 4 years . I have a Needle palm , Minors , Sabal Louisiana , Sabal palmettos , and a lot of other subtropicals . 

Will

The picture shows Mekong Giant bananas growing down the front walkway .

Edited August 28, 2020 by Will Simpson

[Joe NC]

1 hour ago, Will Simpson said:

The picture shows Mekong Giant bananas growing down the front walkway

I have been disappointed in my Mekong Giant.  They don't seem to be as giant (I'd be shocked if my tallest was 6') or cold hardy as they were purported to be.  I'm in Wilmington and have had my Cavendish produce flowers/fruit a couple times. 

Maybe I just got them from a crappy source?

Do you have luck getting the trunks to over winter (like a basjoo)?  Even when protected with a leaf cage, mine just melt to mush and then come back as new sprouts from runners about 6-10' away from where they were the previous year.   

[WSimpson]

My Mekongs are huge this year and some trunk survived from a low of 19F last winter . My Musa basjoos are flowering . Maybe your soil is too sandy ?

Will

 

Mekong Giants still growing taller + flowering Musa basjoos :

[Joe NC]

57 minutes ago, Will Simpson said:

Maybe your soil is too sandy

I actually am in a weird pocket of heavy clay soil (trachys seem to love it).  

I must have got something other than a "real" Mekong.  They have never looked anything like your first photo.  

I have had some pretty massive fruiting basjoos nearby, so it cant be a too awful of banana habitat...

Maybe I'll try again with a different source.

[WSimpson]

If your ever heading this way you can have all you want . 

[Laaz]

They are pretty easy to keep solitary if you start early & keep at it. I have one my wife bought me 20 years ago when we moved here to Charleston. I've removed the suckers for as long as I've had it, and it rarely even sends out a sucker any more. I'll get a photo up later.

[Laaz]

Here's mine with about 4 ft of trunk surrounded by a group of radicalis.

 

[WSimpson]

Pretty picture Laaz .

Will