Bismarckia noblis

[bgifford]

Hey Everyone!

My neighbor brought me a Bismarck palm back from Florida. This is the first time I got one of these but always loved the look of those (one of my faves).

I was wondering how soon I should re-pot this palm into something bigger.  I believe it's in either a 5 gal or 7 gal nursery pot. I do have a ton of bigger ones (15 gal, 25 gal). I know that I live well outside this palms minimum hardiness zone but am sure I can grow it into a nice specimen overwintering it inside. Plus the window it is sitting in front of is facing south so winter placement is not an issue (sorry for the dark photo, got it last night and took picture of it to post when it was dark).

For those that have experience with these in pots, what can I expect from this palm over the next year or two? Slow growth or more fast that would require a bigger pot sooner rather than later.

Thanks again everyone for the help.

 

B

 

[Fusca]

Do you see roots coming through the drainage holes now?  If not it is OK for now in the existing pot.  Bismarckia are very root-sensitive so take care when re-potting.   I know you won't be keeping the container outside this time of year but be careful not to place the container on the ground during summer as it will send roots through the bottom into the ground.  You don't want to break any of its roots if you can avoid it.  It probably won't grow much for you until you get some good heat going in summer.  Good luck with it they're great palms!

[PalmatierMeg]

Bizzies love sun and high heat. Given those they can grow fairly fast. They are not the happiest palms when kept confined to pots. They are also extremely root sensitive and you must take great care when up potting them to not cut, break or damage roots. I sliced off old (plastic) pots in pieces to avoid root damage when I planted all my Bizzies. Make sure the new pot is not constricted at the neck,  i.e., round pot. I also recommend a plastic pot unless you get a charge out of shattering ceramic pots at transplant time. When you keep palm outdoors in summer, never place it directly on the ground. If roots escape the drain holes into the ground, you will break them when you try to move the pot and the palm almost surely will die.

Nice looking Bizzy. Your neighbor is most generous.

[Rickybobby]

Nice busy looks like a 7 gallon to my eye. I wouldn’t pot it. I usually. Decorative pots that are a smidge bigger and thicker so they don’t bust open. When palms are indoors you want to keep the pot very close to the root sizes as possible so the soil drains and doesn’t stay wet. I have a busy like your likes. It’s growing a couple spears during the winter and doing fine. Agree with good lighting and as much heat. 

[Allen]

Looks great.  Should be good to set outside in the spring.  Agree with previous posters above me.