Hey guys...

The ensete maurelii, musa basjoo, musa orinoco are moving well now. The siam ruby are still sitting there, but I think they're getting ready to take off (their old leaves burned off and I'm left with just the roller. I hate when nurseries don't grow stuff in sun. I don't have the patience to spend weeks acclimating either).

The trachys are moving, the sylvestris moved 1/2 inch in the last week. My robusta is just sitting there though. 😕 I'm hoping it begins moving soon.

As for the bananas, they are ALL getting dug for the winter and stored in the basement. Overwintering bananas just doesn't work for me unless I would provide heat and I don't want to do that. I stored the orinocos last winter and they did well.

For you northern trachy growers, how many fronds do you guys get in a typical summer out of them? And how many fronds have they pushed so far this spring? Mine has pushed about 1 1/2 fronds this spring so far, and I want to know if that's on track with everyone else.

Thanks!

My slowest Trachy is pushing out #2
The fastest Trachys are all on #3,one may have 3+a new spear.

My trachy (that finally got planted after 32+ years in a big pot) is pushing 2+.
You guys are way ahead
😐
Barb

Thanks guys.

What I'm really concerned about is my washy. It hasn't grown AT ALL in the last 10 days. Soil temp is 74F around him and its been 80s during the day and 60s at night. What's also weird is he has 3 visible spears. One opened already without the petiole being exposed so it looks bunched in there like an acordian. The next one is half opened and the third one looks like a spear. Usually they push out before they fan out so they don't get bunched up. I don't see any cold damage or rot on the spears and they are firm. Just ... not ... moving ... UGH!! I would hate to lose it since it's been in the ground since 2008.

I half want to cut all the fronds off to stimulate growth again, but that's probably not a good idea. Last year the spear moved 2 inches a day with temps like these. Funny thing is it was growing slowly all spring and now nothing.

Might just be loading up for a big growth spurt.
Give it some time,sometimes weather fluctuations can
can cause plants to stall while they regroup.

Man Tim,
I would hate to say you have a root problem going on but what do you think about a mild peroxide watering? Also have you been watering it? DON'T!!!!
You must know already but they don't like water unless it HOT. That's not Wisconsin. The only time mine get a drink is when I'm fertilizing them once a month. There on there own loving life! Keep in mind mine have heat all year. A step I tried to get you to do when you still could.

When I watered them last summer they looked like crap, so I stopped watering them. Look at them now 6 fronds since defoliation, and there 40+ inches wide.

Just trying to help again,

Bill

By the way mine are growing into pure beach sand two-three feet down. Don't ask me why there is playsand here under the ground!
I also planted them in a very well drained soil when I planted them.

Thanks for the help. I hope it isn't declining.

Me Too!

I posted a few more things in my responses to everyone on my front yard update that might be helpful.

Bill

Tim, My little trachy has put out three fronnds since Easter Weekend. Only one has completly opened up. I think most growers in the north can expect between 3 and 5 maybe..

7 or 8 here since I uncovered. Scott can verify in a couple of weeks, I know it sounds like a ton.

Bill

That is a ton...man, that winter protection-turned into a GH gave them a super start!
Congratulations you guys!
Barb

That was only on my washies Barb, the trachys have been out since March 5th. Not really to much protection this year for them and there only getting tougher.

Bill

Tim it can`t hurt to give it some hydrogen peroxide. It`s not a good sign that it has slowed down just as it should be growing this time of year. I give all my palms regular treatments. Cheap prevention from fungus and they love it .Everything looks great otherwise.
http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/gardening-with-hydrogen-peroxide.html

John