[Arid_gardener] Re: Mexican Fan Palm-'hair-like' matting.

[Olin Miller]

Hello Bob,

You may need to adjust some of the care recommendations in the referenced 
Palm Care publication.  It presumes a desert climate with bright sunlight 
nearly 90 % during the daytime hours, high temps over 110 deg. F. (43 deg. 
C.) in the summer months, about 7 inches of annual rainfall which occurs 
mainly during a 3-month period, and with the humidity often express as 
"trace".  I recall England (primarily Basingstoke) as being dark, gloomy, 
foggy, and wet - quite different from our climate.

Olin
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----- Original Message -----From: "Bob Chater" <bobchater40 at hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 1:38 AM
> ...
>Thank you very much indeed for the reply to my palm query, and for the the
very useful 'Link' regarding upkeep and growing conditions.   I really
appreciate that.
>From the enquiries I have made, it appears that the Palm in my garden is a
Windmill Palm', and the hairy matt-like growth at the base of the frond
stubs, is common to this species.    Considering that our Midlands area of
the UK is not usually the warmest of climate - even now, Easter week, frost
and light snow showers are forecast,
the palm does seem to be thriving.
=====================================

-------Original Message-------
From: Olin Miller
Date: 20/03/2008 04:12:35
To: arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu; bobchater40 at hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Mexican Fan Palm-'hair-like' matting.

I'm not sure if the "hair-like matting" is the dry leaf thatch.  If so, it
may be removed or allowed to hang naturally.  Some people find it
attractive.  Most have it removed.  You will find information about palm
tree care in "AZ1021 Palms - Arizona Landscape Palms " at
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1021.pdf

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
============================================

----- Original Message ----- From: <bobchater40 at hotmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 11:40 AM
> Mr Bob Chater,  CV6 6DL>
> Hello,
> Coventry,West Midlands,UK
> Could you please give me some advice regarding the care of a 16ft high
> Mexican Fan Palm which I have 'Inherited' with my new house and garden.
> The 18 inch diameter trunk is covered with a dense 'hair-like' matting.
> Do I need to
> trim this matting occasionally?