Clinostigma question

[Kaname-kun]

I planted this Clinostigma samoense one or two years ago that had this to me strange appearance at the base. I assume it had been potted too long in too small a pot at the nursery? Anyway, there is a smaller trunk beneath a larger trunk. It's hard to see in the photo, but some adventitious roots are beginning to emerge at ground level. It is very healthy and has grown considerably since planting in the ground.

Is it OK as is, or should I heap more soil up to the new larger trunk? I have other Clinostigmas I have grown from seedlings and planted out when they hit five feet or so, and none of them show this feature.

[Kim]

I've grown a number of Clinostigma, and have never seen this phenomenon. If this were my palm, I would absolutely add a broad mound of soil to cover the thin trunk with the adventitious roots. Roots of a Clinostigma get really fat and spread deep and wide, but that will be a challenge in the current condition. I may be wrong, but it seems to me this palm will have a weak point there at the base.

photos of one of my younger Clinostigmas:

 

 

 

[realarch]

Meant to reply to this post earlier. I would definitely add additional soil to the base and force the adventitious root growth up higher. These are robust palms and like Kim said, the portion of the trunk going into the ground is not strong enough to support the palm during a wind event. I’m not sure how large Clinostigma will grow in Florida, so it may not be too much of a problem, but I would add more soil at the base. 

Here are a few photos. 

Tim