Got a poorly waggy if anyone can help or advise me?

[Kristie Dyson]

I moved house in December and brought my two potted trachycarpus wagnerianus with me. I have owned them for about 9 years and never had any problems with them. We moved from a south facing garden to a north facing garden. They were between 4-5 foot when I bought them and they’ve always lived in the same big terracotta pots. With the hard winter they both looked pretty sorry for themselves and I’d been meaning to put them into bigger pots because they have grown quite tall (about 7ft) so a month or so ago when the frosts were over I transferred them to much bigger pots. The roots were tight when I broke their pots. One has bounced back and is pushing out new spears. The other one has pushed out two leaves which are now totally brown, it’s lost all it’s other leaves. I have pulled the spear and it seems solid. Is there any way to save it? I love it so much! 😞

[Kristie Dyson]

I’ve added some images this morning. The bottom one is the one that’s doing ok.

[Johnny Palmseed]

I don’t have experience with this type of palm but I did notice something in your statement. Unless you moved a great distance, which I assume you did not, the answer is most likely the re-potting. When you moved the plants from a root bound condition with probably little potting mix to a large container with a lot of potting mix, you dramatically changed the root environment. It is easy to overwater the plants as you are trying to establish them. It’s usually best to make modest increases in container size when potting up to avoid too much stress.

[Kristie Dyson]

49 minutes ago, Johnny Palmseed said:

I don’t have experience with this type of palm but I did notice something in your statement. Unless you moved a great distance, which I assume you did not, the answer is most likely the re-potting. When you moved the plants from a root bound condition with probably little potting mix to a large container with a lot of potting mix, you dramatically changed the root environment. It is easy to overwater the plants as you are trying to establish them. It’s usually best to make modest increases in container size when potting up to avoid too much stress.

Hey Johnny Palmseed. Thanks for your reply. We didn’t move far, only about 30miles... But they got little to no sun in the winter after we moved with it being North facing. Where they used to be they got sun all year round in the south facing garden. Also, we had a particularly harsh winter in the UK this year with temps going down to -13C, so I wonder if it’s a combination of everything? Anyway… as an update, I got on my step ladder this morning and poked my nose in the top. It looks a bit black compared to the one that seems to be bouncing back. There is a tiny green spear in there which I gave a firm tug and it didn’t move. I also saw a few woodlouse/pill bugs in there…. So I’ve ordered some hydrogen peroxide from Amazon, arriving tomorrow. Just crossed fingers it works!!! I will update!!! 

[SeanK]

3 hours ago, Kristie Dyson said:

Hey Johnny Palmseed. Thanks for your reply. We didn’t move far, only about 30miles... But they got little to no sun in the winter after we moved with it being North facing. Where they used to be they got sun all year round in the south facing garden. Also, we had a particularly harsh winter in the UK this year with temps going down to -13C, so I wonder if it’s a combination of everything? Anyway… as an update, I got on my step ladder this morning and poked my nose in the top. It looks a bit black compared to the one that seems to be bouncing back. There is a tiny green spear in there which I gave a firm tug and it didn’t move. I also saw a few woodlouse/pill bugs in there…. So I’ve ordered some hydrogen peroxide from Amazon, arriving tomorrow. Just crossed fingers it works!!! I will update!!! 

Were those palms outside in pots at @ -13°C? If so, you're luck the spears didn't pull.

[Kristie Dyson]

8 minutes ago, SeanK said:

Were those palms outside in pots at @ -13°C? If so, you're luck the spears didn't pull.

Hi SeanK, yes they were. Waggy’s are supposedly hardy to -15C which is why I opted for them when buying. We often get down to -10C in Jan/feb but last winter was really cold. Just been and checked it again and the spear is solid. Hoping I can resurrect it!!! 

[Kristie Dyson]

Obviously I’m thinking ahead to this winter if we are going to be that cold again, I always mulch them really well in winter to help with insulation, but I need to think of protecting the tops too. In my mind I’ve got the fronds tied up with an umbrella over them and then draped in breathable fabric and tied round the trunk??? Would this work???? 

[Johnny Palmseed]

Well it sounds like a combination of everything. Those temperatures are quite low and I would imagine that they should have been protected. And I am not sure if hardy is the correct word to describe a low of -15C. Perhaps they will tolerate those temperatures with protection but they won’t be happy. Good luck with your efforts.

[SeanK]

4 hours ago, Kristie Dyson said:

Hi SeanK, yes they were. Waggy’s are supposedly hardy to -15C which is why I opted for them when buying. We often get down to -10C in Jan/feb but last winter was really cold. Just been and checked it again and the spear is solid. Hoping I can resurrect it!!! 

I don't believe any Trachycarpus is rated for -15°C.  In reputable literature they're rated to -12°C but that's in the ground. Below that some damage will begin. Where I live, we saw -14.5° in the morning of 23 Dec and Trachycarpus damage varied from 30% to 100%.

I suggest artificial heat this winter when temps drop below -5°C.