Overwatering is soooooeasy.

[John Case]

I have a few really small seedlings that I have discovered that I have been overwatering (I think).

First, a pair of Brahea 'Super Silver'. These 2 seedlings are as small as a blade of grass and are growing like they need something, but I'm guessing it isn't water. I fertilized lightly yesterday, gave a final drink and will begin withholding water until dry (or fry, I guess). Little to no growth for a year.

Second, a pair of Brahea dulcis, just beginning to put out their adult first adult form leaves. One of them looks to be losing its newest leaf, the other not yet, but soon I think if something doesn't change. Same treatment as the 'Super Silvers'.

I am disappointed in myself for not taking corrective action earlier, but I screwed up and hope that these changes will help these poor neglected baby palms to survive.

[freakypalmguy]

As far as the Super Silvers go, I grew a bunch in my greenhouse, and watered them pretty heavily and they have grown excellent. If you get down this way in the future, I have more than I want or need and you are welcome to some.

Matt

[kahili]

Don't feel so bad about over watering-its the most common problem with growing plants of any kind. You see that the top of the soil has gotten lighter-and you water-almost without thinking. I think its really hard to pass up on watering in these situations-but if you can, or take the time to dig down a bit in the soil and see that there is plenty of moisture in the soil still, it will help to change watering habits.

Another way to look at it is that roots need oxygen to grow, and the drier the soil, the more oxygen there is. You would be surprised at how dry you can let the soil get before watering for most plants. Once the plant has grown enough roots in the container, then you can water more as needed. You will start to see the soil dry out faster as more roots are there. I think the hardest job to train a new person for in a grhouse is the watering. Its part common sense, part experience (that a new person has to gain-and will if they pay attention) and part just knowing what kind of weather is coming that day.

We just got a new soil in that I am still trying to figure out how fast it will dry out. I judge a lot by the look of the soil as to when to water and this stuff is throwing me off!

[John Case]

As far as the Super Silvers go, I grew a bunch in my greenhouse, and watered them pretty heavily and they have grown excellent. If you get down this way in the future, I have more than I want or need and you are welcome to some.

Matt

Matt,

Planning a ttrip in the spring sometime,...I'll keep you in mind.

Thanks,

John

[John Case]

Don't feel so bad about over watering-its the most common problem with growing plants of any kind. You see that the top of the soil has gotten lighter-and you water-almost without thinking. I think its really hard to pass up on watering in these situations-but if you can, or take the time to dig down a bit in the soil and see that there is plenty of moisture in the soil still, it will help to change watering habits.

Another way to look at it is that roots need oxygen to grow, and the drier the soil, the more oxygen there is. You would be surprised at how dry you can let the soil get before watering for most plants. Once the plant has grown enough roots in the container, then you can water more as needed. You will start to see the soil dry out faster as more roots are there. I think the hardest job to train a new person for in a grhouse is the watering. Its part common sense, part experience (that a new person has to gain-and will if they pay attention) and part just knowing what kind of weather is coming that day.

We just got a new soil in that I am still trying to figure out how fast it will dry out. I judge a lot by the look of the soil as to when to water and this stuff is throwing me off!

The real problem is that I knew better. both of these palms do not require much water in the first place....now I am in recovery mode....stupid me.

[BS Man about Palms]

We just got a new soil in that I am still trying to figure out how fast it will dry out. I judge a lot by the look of the soil as to when to water and this stuff is throwing me off!

Some "special mix" I have used is that way. If you don't have enough perlite/light stuff, it always looks dark. I have waited weeks waiting for it to "change color". It doesn't, But I caught it in time, THEN I overwatered it later assuming enough "time" had passed.

[kahili]

Bill, this is a mix that I had made up for me because i needed a lower PH, but I think its the amt of bark in it that is getting me. I usually use straight peat/perlite/lime etc and I know that well. This is quite a bit darker, but fortunately for me, it is drying out after a few days in the full sun. As long as we don't get into rainy weather I will be fine, but it would make me start to get nervous if we do start getting rain on a consistent basis. The crop I am growing right now can not tolerate wet feet very well and is extremely susceptible to a few diseases... On the other hand, the forecast for the following week is in the upper ninties and full sun, so I will enjoy it for another week! I would not want to use this in a grhouse in the winter. Drainage is the key, huh?

[Peter]

I water my 'super silver' pretty aggressively and it seems to love it. Quite a fast growing palm for me so far-it's one year in the ground from a community tray.

[DoomsDave]

Hmm.

Super Silver, may be super, but the ones I've seen sure aren't silver. Silver is usually a sign of drought tolerance, though be careful about too-broad generalities.

dave

[BS Man about Palms]

Kahili, drainage is of course, super importantant, but for me on a coastal cooler location, I really need a super light mix as I have no heat to force any growth, so the soil should just be damp and I "wait" for them to grow.

[kahili]

Bill, I think we got your heat this summer in addition to the heat that we usually get....its been an extremely hot summer, and spring as well. We started to get high 80's in early March, and it was definitely our warmest spring in a very long time. I just hope that our winter stays warmer than normal

What are you using in your potting mix? I know California is colder than the East coast in the summer, but this summer, it sounds like you could have left the small palms in the grhouse for the warmth!

[BS Man about Palms]

The easiest thing is to say is to go to the hydroponics store where all the guys try to hide what they are growing and get the best stuff,( then lighten it more in my case)!

[MattyB]

I too have found that making a super light mix is the way to go with stuff prone to damping off. You make an extra light mix and just water it as much as you want because it never can get water logged. It's as easy as using a 75% perlite 25% potting soil mix.

[mjff]

I've got a batch of "Super Silver" and some B. dulcis, and I soak them both pretty good twice a week during the summer (once a week in the winter), and they seem to love it. They are just planted in regular potting soil, but get sun until late afternoon. I'm surprised at how fast the "Super Silvers" are. They are only 6 months old, and have 5 leaves already, and I was even more surprised by how fast they germinated (only a couple of weeks).

[John Case]

I've got a batch of "Super Silver" and some B. dulcis, and I soak them both pretty good twice a week during the summer (once a week in the winter), and they seem to love it. They are just planted in regular potting soil, but get sun until late afternoon. I'm surprised at how fast the "Super Silvers" are. They are only 6 months old, and have 5 leaves already, and I was even more surprised by how fast they germinated (only a couple of weeks).

I must be doing something seriously wrong........making some changes.....we'll see...

[kahili]

There are a lot of factors that go into how much to water a plant in a container. Any plant (even a Brahea) that is in the hot Texas sun all day is going to require more water than one that is in California (esp this summer with the cooler temps?). I would not necessarily compare the watering needs of the same plant in California versus Texas in the summer. I almost don't think it matters how much one has to water a Brahea (or any other plant) anywhere else except in one's own yard. Besides the strength of the sun/heat factor, there is also: the amt of sun it gets each day, how many cloudy days per summer on average, the size of the container and the size of the plant and also the ratio of the roots to the soil (i.e. a over rooted plant is going to require more water than a barely rooted plant), not to mention the type of soil being used(how much drainage). Also what kind of container-black plasic, cement etc.

I think it still comes down to drainage and allowing the soil to dry out some below the top of the soil line. If you stay away from soil and use a soiless mix and add extra perlite etc, and watch the watering, then I think thats almost the whole battle.....until we get to the fertilizer/PH regime! There are exceptions-plants that like having wet feet, but even there, you have to have good drainage to avoid problems.