trachycarpus planting

[palm789]

I recieved my trachy this morning and its heavy i even struggled with a hand truck.

Whats the best way to plant it for example get it out of the pot into hole and how to measure how deep and wide the hole should it be?

do i add anything else to the clay mud?any extra tips are appreciated thanks.

[Rickybobby]

Wow looks nice and healthy congrats 

[Jeff985]

I dig a few inches deeper that the height of the root ball. Wide enough so you have a few inches around the root ball. I put some palm and cactus soil in the bottom of the hole so the top of the root ball is ground level, or slightly above. Put the tree in the hole then backfill with a mixture of the palm and cactus soil and your native soil. 

[Allen]

"Plant high and it won't die, Plant low and it won't grow".    You usually shouldn't have to amend the soil just mulch it when done.  I wouldn't over dig the hole.  Trachycarpus will have 95% of it's roots in a 18" (46 cm) distance from the trunk.

[palm789]

Its planted in fine draining clay,how often do i water to get established?

Edited April 28, 2019 by palm789

[Jeff985]

I like to amend the soil when planting in clay because it clumps, making it difficult to get all the air pockets out. 

[palm789]

I am worried now as i noticed the leaflets are starting to close up day after planting,its planted in clay and it seems to have good drainage as when i watered with 6 liters of water i dont know if thats enough but the water absorbed into the clay fast.

P.s. i read that windy conditions can make a palm lose water?is this true as its been extremely windy?

Edited April 28, 2019 by palm789

[Jeff985]

I’m not an expert on this species. I have one but I just put it in the ground and have since completely neglected it. It’s doing fine. It seems like there was a thread on this site recently where this symptom was discussed with this species. You might try using the search function to try to find it. 

[palm789]

It came in a 55 liter pot and i watered it with 6 liters if water from watering can and hose for a 2 mins on slow spray from hose gun is that enough or would it need more water?

Edited April 28, 2019 by palm789

[Jeff985]

If I’m following this correctly, you just planted it in the last two days. As long as it was well watered before it was planted, I would think it would show these symptoms from drying out this quickly. The things I would look for is, is it planted too deep, or is there an air pocket in the soil. The top of the root ball should be level with, or slightly above ground level. I usually plant mine about an inch above ground level. The top of the root ball should be covered. 

[palm789]

It had alot of air pockets so amended it,watered it more and the water on top seems to drain in about 15 seconds.is that ok?

[Jeff985]

43 minutes ago, palm789 said:

It had alot of air pockets so amended it,watered it more and the water on top seems to drain in about 15 seconds.is that ok?

I’m not familiar with your soil. It sounds like we both have clay but I’m sure they aren’t identical. Mine doesn’t drain that fast but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not normal for yours. 

[palm789]

Had to redig it up added john innes no3 with added perlite underneath rootball and ontop and around the side of the rootball eliminating air pockets also,i hope i havent disturbed the palm i only planted it yesterday lol

Edited April 28, 2019 by palm789