Remove leaf or no, a dilemna

[Walter John]

I have a dilemna as the post topic suggests. I have a wonderful Cocothrinax barbadensis aka "alta" growing nicely, but unfortunately there's a large Pritchardia hillebrandii leaf covering the palm entirely, please see photos herein. My question is , should I cut off the big bully Pritchardia leaf so I can allow the cocothrinax to grow even better plus I'll be able to look at it  ? Or let things stay as is. I want to see the palm and am quite prepared to sever this leaf.

What does everyone think I should do ?

Here's the intruder

a close up of the evil hawaiian, Pritchardia coverting the slower growing Puerto Rican Cocothrinax, you can hardly see the palm !

Here's me raising that bully Pritchardia leaf to allow you, and I for that matter, to see this lovely Cocolossal.

and here's the entire plant

Cut it off ? Do the ayes have it ?

[bgl]

Definitely cut it! Still plenty of fronds on the Pritchardia! :cool:

[Neofolis]

I was just wondering what effect the sudden increase in light levels will have on the Coccothrinax.  Won't it be like going from deep shade to full sun in a second, difficult to tell without a broader view of the aspect.  Maybe you should remove a few leaflets at a time.  Sorry if that's just stupid, probably showing my ignorance again.

[Walter John]

(Neofolis @ Nov. 04 2007,02:04)

QUOTE

I was just wondering what effect the sudden increase in light levels will have on the Coccothrinax.  Won't it be like going from deep shade to full sun in a second, difficult to tell without a broader view of the aspect.  Maybe you should remove a few leaflets at a time.  Sorry if that's just stupid, probably showing my ignorance again.

not at all Corey, that's good palm gardening sense. It will get hit by direct Brisbane full on summer sun but I'm more than sure it ill handle it. Shaded by mid afternoon when the sun is really cranking around here.

Looking for more thoughts, so far Bo, I agree, the Pritchy is laden strong with enough leaves.

[Miccles]

"T-I-M-B-E-R........" :cool:

[elHoagie]

Definitely cut the leaf.  If you don't that Coccothrinax probably won't grow at all...

[fastfeat]

Sharpen the 'chete...

[BS Man about Palms]

You could play "Palmdresser" and give that Prichy leaf a new "palmcut".  Make it look like the Cocothrinax leaf for a month or so, before going to the "Bald" look.  

[RadPalms]

Remember to clean the tools.....

[deezpalms]

Cut it off n' get er' done!!!  

[Walter John]

The deed has been done, the Pritchy cried but the Coco laughed, just another example of the balance of life.

[DoomsDave]

Wal:

You done the right thing, lad.

Pritchie's gonna be fine.

Mine lost half their leaves this winter to the freeze we had, no problem.

You have probably saved Coco's life.

dave

[MattyB]

Nooooo, don't cut it Wal!!!!!  Ok, just joking!  It looks great, and that Pritchardia isn't crying, they're tough.  As long as it's not a rare, marginal palm I prune for walkways, looks, companion and adjacent plants all the time.  If it's gonna make it look better and not hurt anything, then why not?

[chris.oz]

Very nice set of palms Wal.

[Palmy]

Planted a wee bit close to each other yes yes?

[deezpalms]

See, they both look happy post OP!  

[TikiRick]

If you hadn't cut that Pritchardia frond, the Coccothrinax would have possibly gotten bud rot. Coccothrinax thrive in hot, humid, sunny conditons....which is limited beneath an entire fan frond like that one.

I believe Pritchardia's do just fine in lower light.