Help with Chinese fan palm — drooping and yellow leaves
Kim H
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (7)
Embothrium
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Help. Growing Fan Palms & Monkey Puzzle Trees in SE Michigan.
Comments (2)We may be at a similar latitude but our winter climates are totally different. In fact Victoria Canada is milder in winter than Olympia WA. Just because it grows in Victoria doesn't mean it will grow in the northern US. I think the monkey puzzle comes from a semi tropical area so would not mind your hotter summers. It's the winters. That old photo of a mature tree in Detroit is interesting. Now here in Olympia we rarely get much below 25 for more than overnight or a couple days. Single digits and even close to 0 do happen, but not every year, more like every decade. We do not protect monkey puzzle trees here. The shorelines of Seattle and Victoria may not even get frost in some winters. We are a maritime climate, despite the latitude. Sounds like you get a lot of moderation from the Lakes but it won't be the same degree of moderation we get here as you are still too close to subarctic conditions in inland surrounding areas. That's why Victoria and Vancouver are Canada's Riviera, dramatically warmer winters than anywhere else in the country. I second the suggestion to try the Conifers forum....See MoreChinese Fan Palm leaf growing into trunk?
Comments (10)Hi everyone! My sincere thanks to everyone who's responded and also my sincere apologies for forgetting to check on this forum sooner. I've uploaded 2 photos into the GardenWeb Galleries (first time I've done this so please let me know if it didn't work). The title is "Chinese Fan Palm leaf growing into trunk 1" (and 2). The pics are of the whole plant plus a close-up of the problem. The "bulge" that I went ahead and pulled out of the trunk is green and is on the left of the trunk and it seems to be developing into a genuine leaf. The purple one on the right is the other "bulge" which I can't dislodge. I've pasted the URL of the first photo here. Thanks for the help!! Here is a link that might be useful: Chinese Fan Palm leaf growing into trunk...See MoreHelp with My Chinese Fan Palm
Comments (7)It doesn't look terrible from the pic, but it probably isn't enough light, even though these are tolerable of low light indoor conditions. First off, I don't see the light so I don't know how big it is, second, it's nowhere close enough to the plant. Technically grow lights should be about 1 foot from the plant unless you have an actual grow room with a lot of lights. You probably will only need to water when the soil is dry on the top, probably no more than once a week, maybe even less. Fronds don't regenerate, the only grow from the center growing point one at a time, although you technically have many palms in the pot. Livistona are single stemmed palms. Never cut a palm frond unless it is completely brown, green fronds are it's natural food source. Hope this fragmented response helps!...See MoreNC hardiness help-Chinese Fan Palm?
Comments (5)Yes, I've grown two Livistona chinensis clumps outdoors over this past winter in the High Point area. They were inexpensive plants bought at Wal-Mart for an average of about $6-7 per pot. Dr. Francko's book (Palms Won't Grow Here . . .) suggests that they are die-back perennials, and so I gambled for less than the price of an average New Guinea impatiens or clump of Purple Fountain grass (they would die over winter, anyway). The only protection I provided was a little Wilt-Pruf, copper fungicide, and a Wall-O-Water for each of them. They're in a shady location with a lot of W/SW winds. So far, the leaves at the base look fine, but anything sticking out of the top has turned brown, as you might expect with lows getting down to about 18 in December and February (still only a mild zone 8b, but anyway). They had looked good until temps reached the low 20s. If Dr. Francko is right, they should come back in the spring after I cut off the dead leaves, but the jury's still out on that. If they can recover over the summer to their previous heights (leaves about 4 feet tall or so), I'm guessing that they might be medium-term survivors with protection, such as burlap, mulch, etc. (until there is a *bad* winter). Wal-Mart often has these on sale for less than $5, so at that price, it may be worth a try for you even as an annual, as they are very beautiful plants for a dappled-shade location. On the other hand, if you want something more permanent with lesser maintenance requirements, Trachycarpus fortunei (Windmill Palm or Chinese Windmill Palm) and Sabal minor (Dwarf Palmetto) sailed through this winter with no protection except for copper fungicide. Home Depot on Wendover currently has many 3-gallon Trachycarpus fortunei for about $24, and 7-gallon ones for about $60. You can also find them on eBay. LA Reynolds on the west side of Winston-Salem had lots of Windmills and Sabals last year, and Camellia Forest and Plant Delights in the Triangle have all of these and then some (including Rhapidophyllum hystrix, the Needle Palm). There will probably be even more selection in a few weeks. In any case, good luck!...See MoreKim H
4 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years ago
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years agoEmbothrium
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
Related Stories
BEDROOMSRoom of the Day: Revving Up the Fun in a Racing Fan’s Room
A race car bed inspires a bright, car-themed bedroom that leaves a 4-year-old amazed
Full Story
LIFEConsider Avoiding These Plants to Help Keep Your Garden Fire-Safe
Plants that accumulate dead material, are high in oil or have low moisture content in leaves put some homes at risk
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESThe Most Helpful Furniture Piece You May Ever Own
Use it as a table, a seat, a display space, a footrest ... and indoors or out. Meet the ever-versatile Chinese garden stool
Full Story
COLORNew Reasons to Love and Decorate With Yellow
Learn some of this controversial color’s history and associations — you might just see it in a different light
Full Story
HOUSEPLANTSMeet a Palm That's Fine With Fluorescent Light
Get the look of the tropics without the full-on sun and high humidity — parlor palm tolerates regular indoor conditions with aplomb
Full Story
PLANTING IDEAS3 Color Palettes to Help Set Your Garden’s Mood
Select plants in these color combinations to create an outdoor space that’s cheerful, energizing or calming
Full Story
SELLING YOUR HOUSE10 Tricks to Help Your Bathroom Sell Your House
As with the kitchen, the bathroom is always a high priority for home buyers. Here’s how to showcase your bathroom so it looks its best
Full Story
FALL GARDENING5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden
Improve your soil and yard the organic way with a valuable garden booster that grows on trees
Full Story
SMALL HOMESHouzz Tour: An Accessible Tiny-ish House in the Florida Palms
A builder creates a 600-square-foot dream home on the Gulf Coast for his father
Full Story
MIDCENTURY HOMESMidcentury Exterior Charm in Las Vegas’ Paradise Palms
A midtown neighborhood is a treasure-trove of 1960s architecture and vibrant curb appeal
Full Story
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5