Newbie - help ID this palm

[TomH]

Hey there, I'm new to the site and new to palms.

Can someone please help me ID this palm?  I bought a home, and the previous owner had this palm in the backyard,and I would like to know what kind it is, and how to care for it.  Thanks in advance.

 

-Tom

[Matt in OC]

It looks like a Dypsis Lutescens, a beautiful and fairly easy palm. Welcome to the forum!

 

[Mandrew968]

I don't know about 'beautiful' but welcome to Palmtalk.

[DoomsDave]

@TomH, welcome to Palm Talk!

That's a Dypsis lutescens, and it's a great palm. Eventually, it gets to be about 20 feet tall and develops a cluster of trunks. If you have space in the ground, I'd take it out of the pot and plant it there.

And, the Palm Society of Southern California will be having its March 2018 in Los Angeles County, and you're welcome to attend. See my PM (Private message) to you.

 

[TomH]

Thanks @DoomsDave, @Mandrew968, and @Matt in OC

Unfortunately, I do not have sufficient ground to plant it.

I'd like to transfer it over to a much bigger pot if possible?

What soil/fertilizer and how much water would I need to keep it from dying.

Much appreciated!

-Tom

[Missi]

Welcome!!! 

[Cindy Adair]

15 hours ago, TomH said:

Thanks @DoomsDave, @Mandrew968, and @Matt in OC

Unfortunately, I do not have sufficient ground to plant it.

I'd like to transfer it over to a much bigger pot if possible?

What soil/fertilizer and how much water would I need to keep it from dying.

Much appreciated!

-Tom

Hi Tom! Welcome to Palm Talk! You have a palm that is easy for many of us whether in a pot or in the ground. In my limited experience with this one, it will tolerate lots of different growing conditions and will eventually fill up whatever size pot you choose. 

You did the right thing by getting members to identify the species first and happily you have one that is usually not too finicky. Perhaps listen most closely to those who garden near you so with similar conditions.

I suggest you check out the http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/forum/45-palms-in-pots/  for many suggestions on kinds of potting mix, how to water, fertilize and when to repot your tree. 

Whether in the ground or in a pot, many choose to selectively prune out some of the runners to highlight the nicely colored stems, while other use it for a dense screen.

Enjoy!

[Pip]

Welcome to the forum Tom, I grow palms in a very similar climate to yours and have learned a huge amount form here. I moved a 20 year old Dypsis lutescens back in 2016 to my garden and with advice from this forum it is still alive dispite the adverse weather conditions it has experienced during its new establishment phase.

Edited February 14, 2018 by Pip
Pressed wrong button

[PalmatierMeg]

Welcome to PalmTalk. I would hold off on transferring it to a bigger pot until the palm itself is bigger. It looks overpotted as it is. Make sure the potting mix is well draining - no cheap potting soil (I use palm/cactus soil supplemented with extra perlite) and that the pot does not sit in a saucer of water long term. Wet/soggy potting mix can cause root rot. Don't overwater - that causes more problems in potted palms than anything else. Feed it 2-3x per year with time release fertilizer with minor elements, i.e., like Nutricote, Dynamite, formulated for palms. Give it morning sun/light shade as your summer sun can be harsh on young palms.