Mazari Palm (Nannorrhops) Mystery

[PAPalmGrower]

I need some help with this palm - I'm not sure exactly what it is and it hasn't grown at all so far. It was purchased via mail order in early April this year as a 7 gallon "Nannorrhops ritchieana". However, this specimen has silvery-gray leaves and a very stunted appearance. Some have suggested it may be the variety commonly called Nannorrhops 'arabica', but yet others say it appears to have grown much more slowly than 'arabica' and may be what is referred to as Nannorrhops ritchieana sp. 'Silver' or possibly the Kashmir form of Mazari palm (Nannorrhops ritchieana var. 'Kashmiri'). Any thoughts?

Also, I potted it into a slightly larger pot back in mid April in a very well draining mix including perlite and sand.  I added some lime to the mix and it is placed in a hot and very sunny exposed location. After it was potted, I went out of town for two weeks and it only got lightly watered by a neighbor. During this time it lost about 50% of its fronds, likely due to not being watered enough or perhaps transplant shock.  However, I've kept it evenly moist since then and it has stabilized and not lost any more fronds.  I'm in central Pennsylvania, USA and we've had a warm summer and highs have been in the 80s and 90s F. Our max temp this year has been 95 F (35 C).  Although I've had it for three months now, it hasn't grown at all.  The spear is firm and healthy looking, but hasn't extended. Any thoughts why it may not have grown ?  The roots were not disturbed after being repotted.  I know that some palms "sulk" after significant frond loss, and perhaps loosing half its fronds in the early stage has shocked it. (For the record, I do have two of the green leaf Nannorrhops ritchieana from Pakistan/Afghanistan and they are growing normally in the same area.)  Thanks.

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

The color for that size of plant looks like arabica to me. You gotta keep them watered regularly in pots especially when you are using the cactus potting soil. 

[PAPalmGrower]

1 hour ago, TexasColdHardyPalms said:

The color for that size of plant looks like arabica to me. You gotta keep them watered regularly in pots especially when you are using the cactus potting soil. 

Okay, thank you! Would you suggest daily watering during the summer months? What would you estimate the cold tolerance would be for an arabica this size? Mid 30s? Upper 20s? I bring my potted palms into a well lit growing area over the winter months, but like to leave them outdoors for as long as possible.  For instance, my big potted windmill palm can stay outside until around 16 F with no issues; my potted European fan palm to around 19 F with no issues, etc.

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

1-3G Arabica's died at mid 20's for me in pots.  I grow ritcheana in my regular palm soil, but I had to go to the cycad soil for the Arabica because they were growing slow and some were dying.  Once I changed soil I immediately saw dramatically better results.

[PAPalmGrower]

20 hours ago, TexasColdHardyPalms said:

1-3G Arabica's died at mid 20's for me in pots.  I grow ritcheana in my regular palm soil, but I had to go to the cycad soil for the Arabica because they were growing slow and some were dying.  Once I changed soil I immediately saw dramatically better results.

Thanks again.  How would you describe the composition/make up of your cycad soil?  I have this one growing in a 50/50 mix of the Miracle-Gro Palm, Citrus, and Cactus potting mix and perlite.  The layer that is visible on the very top is 100% the Miracle-Gro palm mix - I did that to prevent the perlite from floating on top when I water.

[Missi]

That's a very short time to expect growth from a palm that has been through the trauma of mailing, repotting, and shock from little water. It might just be working on its root system right now. That's all I have to offer. I wish you the best of luck!