Pseudophoenix ekmanii planted

[Kaname-kun]

Finally braved getting this Pseudophoenix ekmanii into the ground. It was in a 15 or 20-gal that had been potted up from a smaller size less than a year ago; it would take another ten years for the roots to fill the pot to the point that I could shift it from pot to hole without losing all the soil and shocking the roots, but (a) I can't wait that long at my age and (b) I've read they grow much better in the ground than in pots. I laid out two lengths of burlap in a large plus sign + shape, creating a sling to move the pot into the hole later. I placed a square of box cardboard at the intersection, then placed the very heavy pot on top of the cardboard and cut around the bottom of the pot so I could remove it. It was pretty easy to slide out the bottom, leaving the now bottomless pot on the cardboard. Then with three helpers, each of the four of us grasping one "arm" of the burlap sling, we lowered the pot into the hole. I dug the hole just enough larger in circumference to allow me to reach down to the bottom and make three vertical slices in the pot sides, which could then be pulled out without disturbing the soil in the pot or the roots.  Filled in the small gap on the sides, cut off the extra burlap, and mounded soil around the trunk. Whew! It worked.  I used the cardboard because the soil in the pot made it too heavy to support the bottom with burlap alone. I seem to remember someone (Steve Stern?) explaining this method for planting Joey palms because they hate having their roots disturbed. There's no need for cardboard when planting from a 1 or 3 gal, obviously. 

[quaman58]

Now that's a beauty!!

[PalmatierMeg]

It is. Reminds me of mine that I planted circa 2006 but lost to rot after Hurricane Irma in 2017. I’ve read it is a difficult palm to keep alive anywhere outside habitat so haven’t tried another. I hope this one does well. Such a cool palm.

[aztropic]

Visited this species a couple years ago in habitat. Can be an extremely ornamental tree,if it makes it to maturity. So many Pseudophoenix in South Florida seem to succumb to that mysterious 'black rot' disease though. Hope luck is on your side.

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[aztropic]

Although they do still have a couple nice looking survivors,even Fairchild Botanical Garden has already lost the majority of the ekmanii's that they planted. If a botanical garden that specializes in growing and displaying tropical palms has trouble with this particular species,you know it's probably not going to be an easy grow for the home gardener.

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[D. Morrowii]

1 hour ago, aztropic said:

Although they do still have a couple nice looking survivors,even Fairchild Botanical Garden has already lost the majority of the ekmanii's that they planted. If a botanical garden that specializes in growing and displaying tropical palms has trouble with this particular species,you know it's probably not going to be an easy grow for the home gardener.

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

Man! Looks like it was growing great for a good while. Is it still kicking? 

[Zeeth]

Koko crater botanical garden would probably be a good location to try this species. I've tried the seeds a few times but they never seemed fresh enough to germinate. If they're struggling that much at Fairchild though I won't even bother.

[aztropic]

4 hours ago, D. Morrowii said:

Man! Looks like it was growing great for a good while. Is it still kicking? 

Three in those pictures will probably be removed soon. They originally planted about 2 dozen of these at about 5 gallon size. Maybe only 4 or 5 good looking ones left.

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona