Help needed, dying palm

Discussion in 'Tropical Gardening' started by AbiJ, Jun 26, 2018.

  1. AbiJ

    AbiJ Apprentice Gardener

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    This was in the garden when we moved in 2 years ago and has been fine until now, I don’t know what it’s called or what I can do to help it, can anyone help? It looks parched but watering doesn’t help, everything else in the garden is flourishing so I’m completely stumped.

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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      Welcome to the forum AbiJ

      It is a Tetrapanax Rex they are not totally hardy and the cold weather in the spring (assuming you are in the UK?) has killed off the leaves. But don't worry as that often happens with this plant, it will regrow and I can see new leaf buds shooting from the top (second photo). It will soon unfurl new leaves. Keep on watering though.
       
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      • AbiJ

        AbiJ Apprentice Gardener

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        Thank you so much for your speedy reply! I’ve been panicking as this is a rented house, yes I’m in UK and we did have a terrible winter. I will keep watering, are daily evening watering a sufficient?
         
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          It's won't need watering that often , being quite a well established plant going by it's size, it will have roots going quite deep. A lot depends on your soil type, if it is dry sandy stuff I would water once a week during this current heatwave, less often otherwise.
           
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          • AbiJ

            AbiJ Apprentice Gardener

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            Ok thank you. I don’t generally water it at all have only done so since noticing it wilting .
             
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            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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              It looks like it has wilted recently?
              Growing well at some point this year, than suddenly wilted, seems a bit strange?

              I do agree with John, it is showing signs of regrowth though.

              Just wondering if the neighbours like it.:biggrin:
               
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              • AbiJ

                AbiJ Apprentice Gardener

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                Yes it’s been fine then suddenly this! I had put it down to the heatwave but thought it odd since palms can handle heat!
                 
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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  Well it's not really a palm, its basically a slightly tender plant with massive leaves:smile:

                  When did you last have a frost?
                   
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                  • AbiJ

                    AbiJ Apprentice Gardener

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                    March, we had snow in March, and in Feb, and frost throughout, was an awful winter. I have several of these in my front garden though and they’re fine, it’s just this one that’s suffering. My whole garden has gone nuts over last few weeks, everything is growing massively so seems odd that this is the only plant looking sad. Pete, I know very little about gardening and plants in general- I basically keep the grass cut and try to keep on top of the weeds. The house has a huge mature and very extensively planted garden, keeping up with the weeds takes up a huge amount of time but luckily the plants shrubs and trees have seemed to take care of themselves until now.
                     
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                    • Gail_68

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                      Hello @AbiJ :sign0016: to GC and nice to have you with us...your in very capable hands with @JWK and @pete as they know there stuff :)
                       
                    • AbiJ

                      AbiJ Apprentice Gardener

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                      Hi Gail, thank you for the welcome:)
                       
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                      • Gail_68

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                        Your welcome mate and I shouldn't worry to much have faith...with the cold winter and then the heat...it made my Cordylines a bit dry especially my "Red Star" but they're fighting good with new shootings from the roots regular and @pete as given me great advice on the best course of action to keep them right :)
                         
                      • JWK

                        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                        Well spotted pete, so it isn't frost damage. Must admit the leaves still show recent signs of life, if it was frost they would have been brown and brittle by now.

                        I'd keep an eye on it Abbi and make sure it doesn't dry out. As you have other T. Rexs in your garden it is strange this one has defoliated.

                        Your landlord is lucky that you are taking an active interest, many tenants wouldn't. To be honest a garden planted with tender plants like this is not easy to manage and if some died it would not be your responsibility - it would be force of nature - so don't worry. I've lost one or two tender plants over winter.
                         
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                        • JWK

                          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                          I like T. Rex but they don't like me, it took me a few years to realise they give me hayfever type symptoms when pruning, so just be careful around it especially collecting up those old leaves, try not to inhale the dust:

                          Tetrapanax papyrifera 'Rex'
                           
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                          • pete

                            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                            Know what you mean John, another plant that does the same thing is Fremontodendron, going slightly off track.:biggrin:

                            I'm sure you understand why I asked if the neighbours like it.
                            It's close to the fence, perhaps it strays over their side when in full leaf;)
                            Hint hint, nudge nudge.
                             
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