Hi, i have a Torbay Palm tree, 8ft high in a pot, which has lost all its leaves? Will they grow again?

It originally came from devon, and was planted in a garden, I had it shipped to yorkshire %26amp; now have it in a large pot. Over a period of 3-4 mths the leaves steadily began to droop, then fall off and over the winter the remaining leaves have turned brown and dropped off. Is there anythin i can do to help it grow again? Or has the palm died? At present there are no leaves on at all now. Can someone help?

Hi, i have a Torbay Palm tree, 8ft high in a pot, which has lost all its leaves? Will they grow again?
Straight answer.. NO, it's dead as a dodo. Compost it.
Reply:Because of the mild climate, Torbay Palm trees are a common sight along the coast. However, this 'palm' is in fact a Cabbage Tree originating from New Zealand.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torbay_palm


Photo


http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrpb27/2542...


It is also known in its native country of New Zealand as the Majestic Cabbage Tree!


http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/site/att...


You might try this forum to find out.


The Palm Centre | Discussion Forum


http://www.thepalmcentre.co.uk/ez3/loadp...
Reply:My sister in Wakefield had a Torbay Cordyline, at about the same height as yours, which got cut-back one winter. It did resprout, with several leading shoots, rather than just 1 upright leader. The coloured forms are usually more frost sensitive than the green varieties.





If you can get hold of some horticultural fleece, and keep it covered for a few weeks, it will prevent any further sharp frosts from attacking it further. Obviously if it's dead, it won't resurrect it, but there is a reasonable chance of it regrowing. The fleece costs a £1 a metre or so, so isn't too much, and can be reused for years. It lets light, air and water through, but increases the temperature by a few degress underneath - I've got some geraniums growing outside, still under it: though they need it with the current freezing weather!





Also, plants in pots have the potential to get their roots frozen, (which can kill plants) so it may be worth bringing it closer to the home, where it's likely a little milder. Protect the pot too, if you can. I'd plant it a little later in spring (when the ground's not frozen) if you think it could have survived - that way it can build up its root system, ready to start growing away.





Good luck! Rob
Reply:Oh what a pity! It sounds dead - those tender southern plants can tend to wither in that bracing Yorkshire air.





We tried to transplant a big one from one garden to another and it died. the roots are soft and easily traumatised.





But I also had onein a pot which lost its leaves through overwatering and thought it was dead but after draining and leaving, new ones sprouted. It's possible.





Check the roots (as another answer says) and if they seem healthy and alive you've probably nothing to lose by waiting. You might even try chopping the stem back to see if anything sprouts at the bottom.
Reply:Sounds like the plant suffered transplant shock and died. All that's left to do is compost/bin/burn it.
Reply:I'm no expert on palms but it does sound like it has died a slow death, not being funny either as some plants will live off their sap for a while, but to be sure just take it out of the pot and inspect the roots