Sabal Minor Questions

[newtopalmsMD]

I have several questions about the sabal minor below

1) the sabal has generated several seedlings (to the left of the stem).  Do I have to dig them up to avoid the plants choking each other? (planning to do that early Sept)

2) Does the inflorescence reduce the number of fronds the sabal grows?  If so if I were to cut off the inflorescence in early spring would I get more frond production and would this hurt the plant?

3) Oddly the 4 new fronds produced this summer by this Sabal grew with exactly the same orientation, they grew on top of each other.  (See the dark green clump of fronds that are standing straight up at the back of the Sabal)  Is there something I can do to stop this?  This used to be a pretty symmetric good looking plant 

[Allen]

38 minutes ago, newtopalmsMD said:

1) the sabal has generated several seedlings (to the left of the stem).  Do I have to dig them up to avoid the plants choking each other? (planning to do that early Sept)

2) Does the inflorescence reduce the number of fronds the sabal grows?  If so if I were to cut off the inflorescence in early spring would I get more frond production and would this hurt the plant?

3) Oddly the 4 new fronds produced this summer by this Sabal grew with exactly the same orientation, they grew on top of each other.  (See the dark green clump of fronds that are standing straight up at the back of the Sabal)  Is there something I can do to stop this?  This used to be a pretty symmetric good looking plant 

 

1) minor can grow in groups fairly well but most people plant them apart from each other.

2) Common sense would say so but not studies I know of.  It won't hurt to cut off the inflorescence

3)  Odd, don't know.  Sometimes they grow toward the sun but usually in a pattern still.  Make sure the palm is well watered is the only thing I can think of.

[Jeff zone 8 N.C.]

I agree with what Allen said, but will add my two cents. I would go ahead and remove the seedlings as well as other competitive plants. I live on the North Carolina coast close to Emerald Isle, where the Emerald Isle Giant Sabal minors grow (they actually grow over a much wider area than E.I. itself). Those that grow in tight groups are smaller. Those that have less competition grow bigger. Still very near me are large groups of S, minor so thick you can not walk through them. They grow within a foot of each other. Of course an inflorescence will rob energy from the plant so if you want the minor to grow faster, cut the inflorescence off so that energy will go to growing leaves and establishing a healthier plant. All plants give priority to producing seeds or offspring for species survival but most palm enthusiasts just want their palms to get big fast. Once that happens then you can always let it seed later. I think the leaves with "the same orientation" are just a matter of what they call "choke" in bananas. That is when the banana plant experience unusually low temps the growing point stops growing and is stuck inside the plant. But more leaves are in que to emerge so they get stuck behind the original stuck one. As conditions improve the growth resumes but several "stuck" leaves emerge one behind the other. It should grow out of this. I would give the plant some protection over winter, at least for now,  till it resumes more normal growth. By the way that's an impressive plant. Had no idea you could grow that in your location.

Edited August 20, 2022 by Jeff zone 8 N.C.

[newtopalmsMD]

Thanks for the thoughts.  I bought the sabal minor in a ten gallon pot from Chilli Palm Tree Co, (NC) along with a couple of needles. 5 or 6 years ago.  My sabal stable includes this minor, a Louisiana (also inflorescence this summer but for the first time) Birmingham, Cape Hatteras and 2 Brazorias.  (All mail order) I also have 3 Trachys and a few needles.   My only winter protection is leaves and pine needle mix over all the roots. and an occasional beach umbrella over smaller sabals during freezing rain.  Sabals have been fine.  Lost a trachy Bulgaria, one needle, and one euopean fan (in pot) to fungus (spear pull with copper fungicide after that was too little/too late).

Annoyingly  the big boxes up here sell trachys, European fan palm, Chinese fan palm, and Pindos.  No needles, no sabals.  Just stuff that will survive 95% of a winter (other than trachy).  (I do have Pindo, Chinese and European in pots and have two Chinese fans planted as diebacks).  

[Jeff zone 8 N.C.]

Sounds like you have the palm bug. Me too. Keep looking at the box stores. Sometimes they surprise. If you ever get down to New Bern N.C., Garys Nursery propagates, grows, sells, and delivers wholesale loads of cold hardy palms.  He may even sell to various Virginia nurseries. Call !st.

[SeanK]

I agree with earlier posts. Here is my added 2 cents.

When digging up seedlings ESPECIALLY SABALS,  better to dig them when small and get a wide area of dirt. You can rinse off the soil and return it to the hole later. Do not damage the few roots you have. Pot the seedling up in a paper or foam cup initially just for recovery. I would try to let them adjust a few weeks before planting them out again. This late, I would save them indoors for next spring.

[newtopalmsMD]

was planning to use potting mix for the paper cups.  just miracle gro