Two Fillies In One

[finca-guy]

I live an hour Inland from the Mediterranean where we can have two or three nights well below freezing. So I got my first Filifera delivered today! However the 10 gallon pot (40 cm) has not one but two three foot (90 cm) palms in. Separate trunks as far as I can see, but growing very close together.

The thing is, could I successfully separate them? I'd like to have them in twin locations if possible.

[Fusca]

  On 4/8/2025 at 7:13 PM, finca-guy said:

I live an hour Inland from the Mediterranean where we can have two or three nights well below freezing. So I got my first Filifera delivered today! However the 10 gallon pot (40 cm) has not one but two three foot (90 cm) palms in. Separate trunks as far as I can see, but growing very close together.

The thing is, could I successfully separate them? I'd like to have them in twin locations if possible.

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You can separate them but it will be a chore!  They are solitary palms so there are two sets of vigorous root systems in that container that will be difficult to separate without damage.  Fortunately they are tolerant of root disturbance.  Best of luck!

[finca-guy]

  On 4/8/2025 at 8:57 PM, Fusca said:

You can separate them but it will be a chore!  They are solitary palms so there are two sets of vigorous root systems in that container that will be difficult to separate without damage.  Fortunately they are tolerant of root disturbance.  Best of luck!

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That's good news Fusca! I will try with a large bucket and hosepipe... I'll tell you how I get on.

[N8ALLRIGHT]

I think you can do it. I'd take it out of the pot and wash all the soil off and then gently tease the roots apart. I don't know if you would be better off repotting and placing them in shade or if you should just go for it and plant them. I'd think if you did plant them in the ground. You'd want to water daily and possibly put shade cloth over them while they re-establish. I haven't separated washies but I have split several pots of overcrowded seedlings. 

Good luck 

[Ltapia]

I tried this once with filiferas they didn’t make it the roots were too entangled I would just plant them like that .

[Las Palmas Norte]

At that stage of development it'll be quite a task. Personally, I would not attempt it, but the decision isn't mine to make. 

[jwitt]

I would not attempt to separate at that age, but rather plant together. 

Curved filifera are natural, and considered the best looking by many on this board.

[finca-guy]

  On 4/9/2025 at 1:27 AM, jwitt said:

I would not attempt to separate at that age, but rather plant together. 

Curved filifera are natural, and considered the best looking by many on this board.

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Those two sure look nice and I hear what you say, but these trunks are just 1.5 inches apart - how's that going to work as they become full grown trees, I'm wondering?

[SeanK]

Regardless, they first have to come out of that pot. Once out, you can assess the root-balls.

[jwitt]

  On 4/9/2025 at 4:42 AM, finca-guy said:

Those two sure look nice and I hear what you say, but these trunks are just 1.5 inches apart - how's that going to work as they become full grown trees, I'm wondering?

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It is how they grow naturally.  

I doubt they can be successfully separated. 

[finca-guy]

  On 4/9/2025 at 1:20 PM, jwitt said:

It is how they grow naturally.  

I doubt they can be successfully separated. 

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Those adults do seem to be healthy growing together in the wild.  And 24 hours in I've got used to my two juniors happily growing together in their pot, so I've decided, along with the majority of advice, to keep them together when I plant them out. 👍🏽

  On 4/8/2025 at 10:59 PM, Ltapia said:

I tried this once with filiferas they didn’t make it the roots were too entangled I would just plant them like that .

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Yikes, I'll take that into consideration!

[jwitt]

As stated by others, when you remove the pot, you will find pretty much a tangle of roots. 

That would in itself make an interesting photo. 

Good luck on your endeavor.

[MarcusH]

  On 4/9/2025 at 1:27 AM, jwitt said:

I would not attempt to separate at that age, but rather plant together. 

Curved filifera are natural, and considered the best looking by many on this board.

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I agree with you.  Curved palms are the bee's knees.  

[Harry’s Palms]

My vote is to leave them as twins . They will arch out and form a nice looking arrangement. Harry

‘Twin Caryota Urens

Twin Archontophoenix Cunninghamiana