Poorly Cabbage Palm

[Dazy]

Hi, I have a red cabbage palm that is about 6years old, it has weathered winters well up until this year and now it looks a mess, a good deal of the top leaves are dead or dying, was going to re pot it to a larger pot this spring anyway but now I am wondering if this is a good idea. Do I remove all dead leaves(it will leave it very sparse looking), or is it beyond help? Any advice appreciated

[Flummery]

All the ones in our village (several gardens had more than one) have died in the protracted freezing spell before and around Christmas. I don't know if yours has, but it was exceptional weather. I'm not sure it will come back for you.

[dave_norm_smith]

Hi

You would probably be as well cutting the trunk back by about half when the weather picks up. If the frost hasn't penetrated the entire trunk it should come back. I have done it before and it does work, plus the old chap at the bottom of my road cuts the trunks down on his every couple of years to control their height.

I have seen so many destroyed this year its untrue. I will probable do a cosmetic cut when next in the garden followed by a finished cut in March/ April as most things start picking up.

Good luck

Dave

[Dazy]

I am only guessing here but is a cosmetic cut, purely removing the dead stuff? and the finished cut, actually cutting below the head through the trunk? is this done straight across or at an angle and is the trunk just left with what is essentially an open wound, or do I dress it with anything. Know these may seem like daft questions but I really would like to save this plant

[dave_norm_smith]

Hi

Yes the first is cosmetic for me as the plant looks like it has a bad comb over at the moment. I will then cut through the trunk ( mine is 6 feet high) at about 2 feet on a slight angle to prevent water sitting on top. Its drastic but for me has worked more often than not. I have never dressed the wound as I read once about it locking the bad stuff in, thus causing more issues.

If you look further down the trunk you may see buds from where it would have naturally sprouted in due course, although these may have been caught in the frost also.

Dave

[cozeekitten]

just a thought I lost mine to vine weevil it also looked as you describe yours and had previously gone through several winters unscathed and assumed the winter was to blame it might be worth a check as by the time I realised it was not winter damage it was too late to save

[Dazy]

Googled the weevil and have been out today with me magnifying glass to look for tell tale signs(well the chickens looked amused) and found no sign but I'm not ruling it out, will have to wait for spring when i re-pot it, Thanks All for your help and suggestions

[cozeekitten]

Googled the weevil and have been out today with me magnifying glass to look for tell tale signs(well the chickens looked amused) and found no sign but I'm not ruling it out, will have to wait for spring when i re-pot it, Thanks All for your help and suggestions

I found the weevils on re potting mine but sadly I was too late as they had killed it by then