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- Q.Do Any Types Of Palm Trees Exhibit Allelopathy - We have attempted to grow petunias and salvia in a ring around some palm trees. They are NOT thriving and ...
- Q.Palm Trees Were Struck By Lightening And Caught Fire - My palm trees were struck by lightening and caught fire. I'm wondering if we strip all the outer layers that ...
- Q.Little Black Flies All Over Top Of Soil - My elephant foot palm has been in storage at a friend's place for a couple of months while relocating. I ...
- Q.Palm Indoors - I have a two metre palm indoors in a corner of a bright lounge. It looks very healthy but the ...
- Q.Palm Tree Eaten By Cat - I was given a tiny palm from my aunt last summer. She said it was a ponytail palm but it ...
- Q.Transplanted Palms - I just bought 6 pygmy palms which the owner told me were about 15 years old. They aren't very big ...
- Q.Scale On Mediterranean Palm - I have two Mediterranean plants on either side on my gate that was planted few months ago. Recently one palm ...
Asked by
allenwoll on
April 20, 2015
Cape Coral, FL (SW Florida)Q.Do any types of palm trees exhibit allelopathy
We have attempted to grow petunias and salvia in a ring around some palm trees. They are NOT thriving and some are dying. The palms in question either are or resemble a triple-stemmed "Christmas Palm."
Answered by
shelley on
April 20, 2015
Certified ExpertA.Here is an article that discusses the challenges of gardening under palms and various workarounds. Basically your plants might be struggling to compete with palm roots . Also - the soil under palms is dry and nutrient deprived.
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- Asked by
Barbeemac on
April 25, 2015
86403Q.palm trees were struck by lightening and caught fire
My palm trees were struck by lightening and caught fire. I'm wondering if we strip all the outer layers that are burnt, will that help or hurt its recovery?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
April 26, 2015A.This damage looks extensive.
Here is a link that gives information on lighting strike damage and the likelihood of the palm recovering.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
tinhunter.av8 on
April 28, 2015
Princeton, B. C. Canada--inside in winterQ.little black flies all over top of soil
My elephant foot palm has been in storage at a friend's place for a couple of months while relocating. I think it's been "over-loved" w/water and has scads of little black flies all over the top of the soil - much like fruit flies. How do I remedy? Also, it is in a bark mulch type soil which should be changed to 1/2 potting soil and sand or cactus soil.
- Answered by
shelley on
April 29, 2015
Certified ExpertA.It sounds like you have fungus gnats. Here is an article that will give you more information on these pests and how to deal with them:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/fungus-gnats.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
petrab on
April 29, 2015
cape town rsaQ.Palm indoors
I have a two metre palm indoors in a corner of a bright lounge. It looks very healthy but the leaves in the front are growing much better than the ones behind and against the wall. Should I regularly rotate the plant to try and get even growth or just leave it looking lovely on the side that shows? I am in Cape Town RSA.
- Answered by
shelley on
May 7, 2015
Certified ExpertA.You had e-mailed me back and asked if I suggested to rotate it once a week or once a month. I would suggest somewhere in the middle - once every few weeks.
Was this answer useful?00 - Answered by
shelley on
April 30, 2015
Certified ExpertA.Yes, I would recommend rotating the palm regularly so all sides of it get equal time with the light exposure it seems to crave.
For more information on indoor palms, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/palms/growing-palms-indoors.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
grdove on
May 17, 2015
Redding, CaQ.palm tree eaten by cat
I was given a tiny palm from my aunt last summer. She said it was a ponytail palm but it doesn't look quite like the pictures I see on the web. It was only about 4 inches tall at the time. The fronds(?) are lined up in a straight line, almost like a hand fan. A couple of months after bringing it home, my cat got to it and chewed the fronds off to about 1 1/2 inches above soil level. The ends are dried and brown but green down to where they connect to the trunk. Will it eventually recover and grow or is it a lost cause? Thank you.
- Answered by
shelley on
May 17, 2015
Certified ExpertA.It is possible it will eventually recover as ponytail palms do have the ability to regenerate. I would recommend continuing to provide it the care it needs (see article link below for tips) and to make sure your feline friend does not pay it another visit. Your palm should grow new shoots in a month's time.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
cmc on
May 18, 2015
9b, 10aQ.Transplanted palms
I just bought 6 pygmy palms which the owner told me were about 15 years old. They aren't very big for being that old. He had them in 18x18 cement containers. They appeared almost bone dry when we took them out. No root damage, they came out relatively easy. Now, I am having a hard time trying to find a container big enough to put them in. I am wondering before I go spending over 100$ per pot if they will even live. As the picture shows, there is barely any dirt, only roots. They have been sitting for the past few days without a container but I have been dousing them with water. Should I fertilize? Will they live without a container? I have sandy dirt. Will they live in that? Also, there seems to be little yellow spots on the leaves...some from the inner growing leaves. Thanks for your help. I really want to save these little guys....
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
May 19, 2015A.Pygmy Palms grow in zones 10 thru 11. Planting them into the ground would most likely not work.
I would suggest quickly getting them into containers to reduce the stress and plants from drying out.Here is a link to proper care.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/pygmy-palm/grow-pygmy-palm-trees.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
June 15, 2015Q.Scale on Mediterranean palm
I have two Mediterranean plants on either side on my gate that was planted few months ago. Recently one palm is showing white sticky powder like substance on its leaves and is not looking healthy. What shall I do? Thanks.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
June 15, 2015A.Most likely Mealybug.
Here is a link with information on how to treat.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/mealybugs-control.htm
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