Q. I have had this
palm for 10 years. Every time I add additional water with a hose or bucket I
lose more fronds. Every year I cut higher on the palm to get rid of dead
fronds. I drove a metal stake down 18 inches but did not pick up any visible moisture
in 3 different places. Any ideas on how
I can go about this from a more scientific method?
palm for 10 years. Every time I add additional water with a hose or bucket I
lose more fronds. Every year I cut higher on the palm to get rid of dead
fronds. I drove a metal stake down 18 inches but did not pick up any visible moisture
in 3 different places. Any ideas on how
I can go about this from a more scientific method?
 |
| Canary Island date palm with aptenia planted at its base |
A. I did not see a whole lot wrong with your palm in the
picture you sent to me. It is pretty normal for the fronds to begin to brown
out and start to die once they drop below horizontal.
picture you sent to me. It is pretty normal for the fronds to begin to brown
out and start to die once they drop below horizontal.
In our
climate it is also pretty common to have some tip burn on the leaves along the
fronds, particularly as they get older and drop close or below horizontal.
climate it is also pretty common to have some tip burn on the leaves along the
fronds, particularly as they get older and drop close or below horizontal.
I did
notice you have Aptenia, hearts and flowers, growing at the base of the palm.
This plant is not complementary to a palm that has deeper roots. Aptenia has shallow
roots so it is watered frequently with a small amount of water. Palms must be
watered more deeply and less often.
notice you have Aptenia, hearts and flowers, growing at the base of the palm.
This plant is not complementary to a palm that has deeper roots. Aptenia has shallow
roots so it is watered frequently with a small amount of water. Palms must be
watered more deeply and less often.
If you
are going to plant something at the base of a palm, plant something with deeper
roots that has a similar watering requirement. Replant at the base of the palm with
something more deep-rooted that can give you some color.
are going to plant something at the base of a palm, plant something with deeper
roots that has a similar watering requirement. Replant at the base of the palm with
something more deep-rooted that can give you some color.
Select a
woody perennial that give you season-long color in that spot or an evergreen
with a deep root and a similar requirement for water.
woody perennial that give you season-long color in that spot or an evergreen
with a deep root and a similar requirement for water.
Any suggestions for what to plant?
Something that can take the heat and has a similar root depth. Sages, lavenders, rosemaries, come to mind.