Need help with my Date Palm.

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

hello i recently transplanted a 6 feet date palm tree/plant from ground to a plastic container in my house.The plant first grew in a busy market site and when it gained height it started to cause inconveniance to commuters and passers by so i uprooted it with its maximum root ball and planted it in my house in a container.It was pretty much ok for the first two weeks after transplant like its fronds,perioles and stems etc were all fresh.However in third week the planted started to slant at one side.The slanting accelerated and in 4 days the plant looked like a CURVE.Aside to this i also noticed drying of some of the fronds upon touching they feel crispy and their color is like a dehydrated plant.All other fronds are fresh and fine.Pics are attached for reference.Any help is welcomed. .P.S-in order to stop more slanting/bending of the plant i have tied it with a strong rope as seen in one of images.

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User

11 years ago

Your posting is a little confusing. Where is the plant now? You say, "in my house", but the picture (which for some reason is be posted sideways), shows in on a an outdoor deck or balcony. How does the NEW growth look? Is it crispy too? If so, not good. But if only outer leaves, it SHOULD acclimate (but we are not sure to what it would be acclimating). P.S, I also love date palms and have several species. Do you know the species of yours?

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Comments (6)

palmbob
11 years ago
That is Phoenix dactylifera. NOT a good house plant (hates the dark and has very dangerous, spiny leaves). Many suffer for years before become established when dug up like that. I MAY acclimate. It may not. I have dug up some and some survived and some did not… they hate having their roots messed with.
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User
11 years ago
If the palm was growing in the ground in your area, it might be winter/cold hardy in a container. But, if you are really that guy into a house, I agree...it'll be too dark and your palm too prickly for a mutually peaceful coexistence. I drag all my Phoenix dates into a chilly but frost free garage for the cold season.
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friscopho
11 years ago
P. dactylifera can be transplanted during the warm (growing) season. Generally it is a good practice to head the leaves back in order to reduce transpiration during the re-establishment period.
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softmentor
11 years ago
friscopho has it right, you need to cut back all the fronds. You do not have enough roots to support that much frond. find where the outer most frond changes from thorns to leaves. go 6 inches shorter that that and cut though all the fronds.
Even then, expect some die back on the outermost fronds. the center frond should start pushing out and growing within 3 weeks.
Also, be sure your water is going into the root ball and the soil you dug up, not just running around it.
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softmentor
11 years ago
cut about where your string/tie is
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