Planting in Containers

PLANTING IN CONTAINERS

Planting juvenile palms in pots:

Transplant palms into pots that are 2" larger than existing pot. Do this every 6 to 12 months. Use a well draining potting soil or make your own using the following mixture:

• 1 part peat moss

• 1 part vermiculite

• 1 part compost or potting soil

Fertilizing: We are now using Lutz Palm Tree Fertilizer Spikes with great success. Please see application chart below. Another method to add nutrients to the container Palm trees is a compost tea. Fill a 5 gallon bucket with 1 part compost and 4 parts water. Let this sit for 2 days or more, then water the palms with the tea. Works great on all plants that are outside. This stuff smells kind of bad but the plants like it.

Where to place the plants when potted? First you need to decide if these plants are going to be brought inside for the winter or not. If they are going to stay outside they can be placed in direct sun and in a sheltered area for the winter conditions. An ideal spot would be close to the house or fence for a wind break.

For both inside and outside juvenile palms, a great spot is an eastern exposure where they will be in the shade at about 2pm. This makes the trees reach for the sun and the fronds grow longer. This gives the trees more height but the trunks will grow as normal.

Remember this, Palm trees in containers grow slower than Palms that are in the ground by about half the rate.

APPLICATION CHART FOR FERTILIZING PALMS:

Palm Tree Trunk Diameter / Number of spikes to be used:

4" Diameter Palm, 1 spike

6" Diameter Palm, 2 spikes

9" Diameter Palm, 4 spikes

We sell Lutz Palm Tree Fertilizer spikes, a great and simple way to keep your palms healthy. They come 5 spikes in a pack.

Please contact me with any questions you may have

Ric Banchero Ric@palmsnorthwest.com