Dypsis Decipiens Water Needs

[nkbish]

I have planted quite a few dypsis decipiens and would like to add a lot more. My climate is in a hot dry inland location. Before I plant to many more I wanted to see how little water these can get by with when mature. Also what are experiences with younger plants as far a water needs. I have added a photo of one of mine in the ground. I planted it about 1 year ago from a 5 gallon and it seems to be happy with a slow deep watering once a week in the summer. Thanks for any info.

[Josh-O]

once a week is plenty. you can kill them from over watering them..They like to dry out in between watering's

I have learned the hard way over the last couple years

[Jim in Los Altos]

I admit that my soil is really fertile and fast draining so the fact that my two D. decipiens get watered at least three times a week, love it, and reward me with pretty fast growth may not apply to other people's decipiens. In the past they were watered less but for the past two years I've upped the water considerably and growth has exploded compared to the skimpier watering days.

[trioderob]

I water the bejesus out of mine - in summer

[Josh-O]

post a picture of you DD

[nkbish]

I water the bejesus out of mine - in summer

How much is the bejesus and what kind of soil.

[nkbish]

once a week is plenty. you can kill them from over watering them..They like to dry out in between watering's

I have learned the hard way over the last couple years

What would you say the minimum would be for once a week? How many gallons when mature. Mine right now as seedlings get about 5 gallons a week and are happy.

[trioderob]

unless you have really clay soil - don't let them dry out

that's an old wives tale

they like water

[Jim in Los Altos]

post a picture of you DD

Josh, Here's the one in my front yard by the street. It's a triple and seven feet tall. I have another on my side yard in full shade that's younger but has greener, longer fronds. They both get watered several times per week and are in fast draining soil.

[DoomsDave]

my observation is that they want plenty to drink, but also good drainage.

If you plant them high (as I didn't do) rotting isn't such a problem even if you water them a lot, and I've got the Clay Monster lurking in my yard. . . .

[Josh-O]

Jim, your garden look like it should be on some type of tropical postcard!! Very colorful and always looks good.

Always fun to look at your pictures

[Bags]

I water once a week for 20 minutes with two 10gph drippers in winter and up it to two times in spring and three in summer. It has no issues with lots of water. I fertilize 4 times a year with the home depot palm fert too. My experience with all my plants including the drought tolerant ones is the more water the better. I have all raised beds with very good draining soil so clay soil might be a different story

[nkbish]

my observation is that they want plenty to drink, but also good drainage.

If you plant them high (as I didn't do) rotting isn't such a problem even if you water them a lot, and I've got the Clay Monster lurking in my yard. . . .

Most of mine I have planted have been from an unrooted 5 gallon pot. I dig and amend the soil and backfill the hole. I then set the pot on top of that and cut the bottom off. Then I mound soil and rocks around it and take the side of the pot off. This puts it about 8" above grade. I hope this is high enough. I have yet to loose any to rot but it's only been about 2 years since I planted my first one. As the growth point moves down I have been moving the dirt away.

[nkbish]

post a picture of you DD

Josh, Here's the one in my front yard by the street. It's a triple and seven feet tall. I have another on my side yard in full shade that's younger but has greener, longer fronds. They both get watered several times per week and are in fast draining soil.

photo-281.JPG photo-282.JPG[/quote

That look so nice with all the plants around it. All of mine are out by themselfs with not much around them.

[Jim in Los Altos]

post a picture of you DD

Josh, Here's the one in my front yard by the street. It's a triple and seven feet tall. I have another on my side yard in full shade that's younger but has greener, longer fronds. They both get watered several times per week and are in fast draining soil.

photo-281.JPG photo-282.JPG[/quote

Nick, almost my entire landscape is planted heavily this way. It's one of the ways I get away with growing tender marginals up here.

That look so nice with all the plants around it. All of mine are out by themselfs with not much around them.

[DoomsDave]

my observation is that they want plenty to drink, but also good drainage.

If you plant them high (as I didn't do) rotting isn't such a problem even if you water them a lot, and I've got the Clay Monster lurking in my yard. . . .

Most of mine I have planted have been from an unrooted 5 gallon pot. I dig and amend the soil and backfill the hole. I then set the pot on top of that and cut the bottom off. Then I mound soil and rocks around it and take the side of the pot off. This puts it about 8" above grade. I hope this is high enough. I have yet to loose any to rot but it's only been about 2 years since I planted my first one. As the growth point moves down I have been moving the dirt away.

That sounds pretty good to me.

As they get bigger and bigger, they become the show, though that takes a while.

Maybe MattyB will share some recent pictures of his.

[Sandy Loam]

Do I need to water my Dypsis Decipiens in rainy Florida? They have a reputaion for dying here, but mine has stayed a live for a few years since I bought it as a 7 gallon plant. I must be doing something right if mine is alive here. I have never ever watered it.

It is planted in an elevated manner with rocks beneath for drainage. It is also planted in the shade.

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

I water mine once every 5 days mid summer, once every two weeks in the spring and fall when the high temps are 70f or above and not at all during mid winter.

[trioderob]

i would think in cali the temps are more important then anything

during santa ana winds and 90s' you cant get them enough water

high 80s of summer - twice a week

70s of spring and fall - one a week

after the first dec rains - march - no watering

they are cooler weather palms and start growing first with the jubs - the Bizzie start last

most experienced nurserymen have told me one thing in common - water !

its safer to give too much water vs too little

too much and you might have problems - too little and you get a dead plant for sure

I was told this even from a world famous cacti grower !

Edited April 1, 2015 by trioderob

[JEFF IN MODESTO]

And then there will be lots of people who say....

"Dypsis decipens is the hardest Palm to grow., I Donno why all of mine die from what appears to be root rot!"

"All the experts say water...water....water."

It's been my experience with my dd, give them good soil and regular water and they do fine.

I'd say here in my location, it's quite possible to over water a dd.

I've done it with other palms... I guess I sm lucky with mine.

[Danilopez89]

I killed one. I dunno if I over watered or the high heat or high heat with humidity... I want to try it again.

[Pete in Paradise Hills]

i would think in cali the temps are more important then anything

during santa ana winds and 90s' you cant get them enough water

high 80s of summer - twice a week

70s of spring and fall - one a week

after the first dec rains - march - no watering

they are cooler weather palms and start growing first with the jubs - the Bizzie start last

most experienced nurserymen have told me one thing in common - water !

its safer to give too much water vs too little

too much and you might have problems - too little and you get a dead plant for sure

I was told this even from a world famous cacti grower !

I planted my 15g in November. Spear was the length of my thumb. I watered most days above 65. Two foot spear just opened late March, sooner than I expected...

[nkbish]

my observation is that they want plenty to drink, but also good drainage.

If you plant them high (as I didn't do) rotting isn't such a problem even if you water them a lot, and I've got the Clay Monster lurking in my yard. . . .

Most of mine I have planted have been from an unrooted 5 gallon pot. I dig and amend the soil and backfill the hole. I then set the pot on top of that and cut the bottom off. Then I mound soil and rocks around it and take the side of the pot off. This puts it about 8" above grade. I hope this is high enough. I have yet to loose any to rot but it's only been about 2 years since I planted my first one. As the growth point moves down I have been moving the dirt away.

That sounds pretty good to me.

As they get bigger and bigger, they become the show, though that takes a while.

Maybe MattyB will share some recent pictures of his.

I pm Mattyb and he explained he only waters his on the dry hillside once a week no matter how hot it gets.

[JT in Japan]

I'm in the middle of killing one, and it's killing me. This little 1-year old was doing very well, and has 3 brothers also doing well. But I changed three variables last week, he's turning brown, and I don't know the cause:

1) I up-potted him, and gave him a more porous mix of potting soil, perlite, compost.

2) I moved him (and everyone) outside, where night temps were in the 5-10C range

3) I put him in a new pot will drip holes on the side as well as on bottom, creating a much more free-draining situation. Perhaps too much?

Any ideas? I'll post a photo tonight.

JT

[nkbish]

When I was checking things out today I found a dd that had really dry soil and it was still looking ok. It had one of those 10gph emitters that is adjustable and no water was coming out. It more than likely has been without water for the last 1-2 months. This was planted last year in full blazing sun from a 5 gallon pot.

[Jim in Los Altos]

Remember folks, just because a plant or tree will tolerate drought doesn't mean that that's what is ideal for it. Many, if not most drought tolerant plants look and grow better with regular water during the growing season particularly if they are in well draining soil.

[Albey]

My Dypsis decipiens grow faster when given extra water during Summer.

[Sandy Loam]

I am still waiting for someone from a wet climate to say, "water your dypsis decipiens all summer." There is so much emphasis on drainage for this palm, so I am a still bit scared to get the hose out and drench it.

[Albey]

I am still waiting for someone from a wet climate to say, "water your dypsis decipiens all summer." There is so much emphasis on drainage for this palm, so I am a still bit scared to get the hose out and drench it.

Hi Sandy Loam,

I would find out what the P.H of your tap water is before drenching your Decipiens.

[nkbish]

Remember folks, just because a plant or tree will tolerate drought doesn't mean that that's what is ideal for it. Many, if not most drought tolerant plants look and grow better with regular water during the growing season particularly if they are in well draining soil.

That is definitely spot on. With the current water issues a am looking for plants that can just get by with as little as possible. I don't want to plant a bunch more of these if they can't get by if the water situation doesn't improve soon. I don't plan on doing this but if it turns out we are forced to I don't want a bunch of dead seedlings. I agree they will look far better with more than the minimum water needed to survive.

[nkbish]

Here is the photo of the one that dried out. Most of the damage is on the older fronds from the initial planting and sunburn. The two new fronds since planting are acclimated and look better. This is in all day full sun. The new spear is pushing at a normal rate. Most of my others I plant and shade cloth them for acclimation. This one I did not shade cloth it to see what it can handle. It lived but did burn a bit. The shade cloth planted ones do look better. I have also found if the soil falls off the roots when planting they slow down compared to a clean rootball with the soil all attached.

[Pete in Paradise Hills]

Remember folks, just because a plant or tree will tolerate drought doesn't mean that that's what is ideal for it. Many, if not most drought tolerant plants look and grow better with regular water during the growing season particularly if they are in well draining soil.

Especially if you have well draining soil