I have a palm tree in my fernery.......

[Bolero]

Ok, about 18 to 20 months ago.......a bird or something dropped a seed in my fernery and now I have a palm tree of sorts growing there......it's a funny thing but it's really well established and growing quickly. It is over half way to the roof and I think I need to move it.

My questions are:

Does anyone know what kind it is?

Does anyone know what is the best way to move it and 'repot' it either into the ground or a large pot of some kind?

here is the photo.......it looks funny where it is:

 

[Wendelin]

I believe it is Washingtonia filifera.

I dont think potting is such a good idea because as far as I know she is growing a big single root right down into the ground when she becomes older.

 

[paphioboy]

If you plan on getting it out, I suggest you do so FAST! Palms have very deep main roots, and most grow vigorously. I get palm seeds springing up all over my 'lawn', and its very annoying...

 

[Yoyo_Jo]

oke: Living in a climate where palm trees, if grown at all, are only grown in doors, I am having a really tough time feeling sorry for you guys who get palm trees just springing up out of nowhere.

 

[Shiva]

I also thought washingtonia when I saw it.

 

[Ernie]

I agree on the ID and advice. Palms usually have a single big tap root which develops some smaller side roots over time. I'd probably start a perimeter dig at least a foot from the plant's base and work around. Dig down as necessary to minimize damage to the tap root. Watch out for the teeth!!!

 

[etex]

That's one happy palm! Didn't know they could grow that fast from seed.
Good luck moving it!

 

[NYEric]

Do you know how funny the thread title sounds!? :rollhappy:

 

[Bolero]

Do you know how funny the thread title sounds!? :rollhappy:

Until I read your post.......no I didn't!

Thanks everyone, I will have to get it out in the next few weeks, heaven only knows where I will plant it but I will have to find a place fast.

Amazing how quickly it's grown in such a short time.

 

[SlipperFan]

oke: Living in a climate where palm trees, if grown at all, are only grown in doors, I am having a really tough time feeling sorry for you guys who get palm trees just springing up out of nowhere.

Yeah, me too! :rollhappy:

 

[Eric Muehlbauer]

Well, the other day I went out to refill my bird feeder...the snow had finally receded to the point where I could walk in my backyard. So I checked on my windmill palm, Trachelospermum fortunei (?), which I planted last spring. It looks fine, completely unscathed, even though it had been buried in snow and ice until this week. We'll see in April if it is as good as it looks, but I get a kick out of having a palm in NYC.

 

[Bolero]

Well, the other day I went out to refill my bird feeder...the snow had finally receded to the point where I could walk in my backyard. So I checked on my windmill palm, Trachelospermum fortunei (?), which I planted last spring. It looks fine, completely unscathed, even though it had been buried in snow and ice until this week. We'll see in April if it is as good as it looks, but I get a kick out of having a palm in NYC.

That is amazing, keep us posted as to how it's going when spring comes.

 

[Kevin]

Well, the other day I went out to refill my bird feeder...the snow had finally receded to the point where I could walk in my backyard. So I checked on my windmill palm, Trachelospermum fortunei (?), which I planted last spring. It looks fine, completely unscathed, even though it had been buried in snow and ice until this week. We'll see in April if it is as good as it looks, but I get a kick out of having a palm in NYC.

The snow has receded?!?! It's February! The snow won't be gone to the ground in my backyard for another month or more!

Your Palm would be Trachycarpus fortunei. Cool that you can grow one there. I have some Trachycarpus wagnerianus that I am growing from seed for fun. No idea what I'm going to do with them, but I'm just hoping they live long enough to experiment. I might try one of them outside just to see what happens.

 

[Kevin]

Ok, about 18 to 20 months ago.......a bird or something dropped a seed in my fernery and now I have a palm tree of sorts growing there......it's a funny thing but it's really well established and growing quickly. It is over half way to the roof and I think I need to move it.

My questions are:

Does anyone know what kind it is?

Does anyone know what is the best way to move it and 'repot' it either into the ground or a large pot of some kind?

here is the photo.......it looks funny where it is:

Cool thread, Bolero! Why does it look funny? Do you have a wider shot of it? I'd actually like to see the fernery.

I believe it is Washingtonia filifera.

I dont think potting is such a good idea because as far as I know she is growing a big single root right down into the ground when she becomes older.

Why do you think it's a Washingtonia as opposed to a Trachycarpus or something else?

 

[Bolero]

Ok, tomorrow I will see if I can get a wider shot of the area.

It sort of just popped up in front of a tree fern......looks funny in the spot it's in but you will see with a better photo.

 

[Wendelin]

@ kevin

Trachycarpus doesnt get the Thorns!

 

[Kevin]

Oh. I didn't see them until you pointed them out. Cool. I didn't know that.