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Spear pull recovery

15 years ago

Three of my trachys had spear pulls during cold snap of mid February. I have completely uncovered all of my palms as temps have been in the low 80's for a few days. I also have removed all mulch. I have been carefully watching to see any signs of life in the centers. Today as I went out to check on them the hole where the spear came out has almost completely closed up. Is this a good sign? At the end of the week the are calling for temps at night to be in the upper 30's. Should I worry about cold damage or just keeping them dry as it is supposed to drizzle rain for a couple of days. The temps next week should return to 60's.

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Comments (11)

frmmi
15 years ago
I would definitely keep them dry. What state are you in?
pthompson
Original Author
15 years ago
I am in central NC. Weather here has been spectacular.
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Glad its coming back for you chicago palm. It should grow really well when it goes outside. It might even have a full crown again by late summer! Palms can be pretty amazing when it comes to recovery. The Trunk Cut method is a last resort when it comes to saving a palm, but it seems to have really good results! And as for the blue potted palms, they definitely do have reduced hardiness. I have no idea how or why, but my guess is that it has something to do with the conditions they were grown in (probably greenhouse grown, never saw any cold, and over fertilized). I lost a blue potted needle palm (planted in the ground) after a low temperature for the winter of only 14F. The pups look like they might have survived, but it just wasnt worth growing so I replaced it with a med fan palm and Im glad I did. My blue potted Sabal minor was protected so it did survive, but it had a lot of damage considering that was a mild winter (2009-2010). Last year (2010-2011) it had even more damage, but this winter it seems to have gotten a lot more cold tolerance and has no damage visible yet. The sabal has been a fast grower though so all the damage that it has gotten was forgiven by early summer. And it seems like the blue potted palms do gain more cold tolerance after a few years of protection. I think getting a cold tolerant palm from a nursury that grows them in cold conditions is definitely more worth getting than the blue potted palms. -Alex
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I think your windmill will be fine. Mine don't get protected either but are near the south side of the house in full sun. They did not suffer bud loss last winter either which was also very wet. So far this winter has been unusually snowy early in the year but like last winter is not too cold (minimum 18 above F--like last year). The year before that they went down to 4.0 F. and there was some sun scald but no bud loss--but is was drier. I do think you are right though about the problems this winter going to do on many palms in the deep South and milder portions of the East. But I expect the damage more of an issue for Butias (Pindo palms)--windmills seem to tolerate cold/wet better than Pindos. I know Needles are rated cold hardiest but I've also read that young ones may not be as cold hardy as windmills. But also remember, spear pull is NOT necessarily a death sentence for these palms.--Still, better not to have to deal with spear pull. Good luck!
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Comments (12)
The needle palm will pull through with no big problems. They tend to lose their spears when young, sometimes the mother plant dies entirely, but the clump itself will become pretty well established and hardy after another winter or 2. The trachy definitely does not look like it has much hope. I'd give it a trunk cut when the weather is above freezing and see if there is some life in it. If there is, then keep it well taken care of and see what happens! Usually when they are trunk cut they will start growing relatively fast if they are alive (you should see some type of growth in under a month). I hope it pulls through! -Alex
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Comments (15)
We have a pindo palm in NC that was hit for a second winter while we were out of town, ice storm :/ about a month ago we pulled the inside out, poured hydrogen peroxide down the center and waited...nothing. Just yesterday I pulled again at the center and more came the bottom looking mushy and white like bread pudding. We have only had it three years but it's at least ten years old. Should we continue to wait or trunk cut it? It's beautiful, or was. The trunk is probably three feet tall and almost two feet wide. We are devastated...thoughts, opinions?
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jimhardy
15 years ago
How do the next newest leaves look?usually the next youngest leaf goes and so on,the first sign another leaf is going is that it closes up, (not the middle but the leaf)if this hasn't happened and these leaves are still open,I'd say your palms in good shape and probably is anyway,any pics?
pthompson
Original Author
15 years ago
Youngest leaves are open and in relatively good shape. I will try to get pics up within a day or two. If they make it I will probably lose most of the crown. Leaf is green at the trunk all the way up the stem. Leaves are burned a little at the ends. My Butia Capitata still looks great however.
jimhardy
15 years ago
"My Butia Capitata still looks great however".Interesting,look forward to your pics-
pthompson
Original Author
15 years ago
Sorry for the confusion. I meant to say my Pindo Palm has held up better than my trachys. They are in the same area of the yard.
frmmi
15 years ago
Make sure not to let rain get into the holes that are where the spears used to be.
pthompson
Original Author
15 years ago
I have them covered now. Rain is expected for the next several days. Temps also dropping into 30's at night.
mattyb1
15 years ago
pour hydrogen peroxide down the hole, let it sit for 10 minutes and then shove a twisted up paper towel down there to dry it back out. Do this a couple of times a week for a few weeks. Then put some fungicide down there and wait for a new spear to grow.
frmmi
15 years ago
a sprinkling of copper sulfate is helpful..i did the peroxide thing and dried it, but im not a fan because peroxide becomes water after it reacts...making the cleaned tissue damp again.
pthompson
Original Author
14 years ago
UPDATE: Back in February I had spear pulls in three of my Windmills. I am happy to say that they all look great now. Enjoying a great summer. Already dreading fall.

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