How long does your soil stay moist?

[PalmX]

I see some people water every day, while I try to water around once a week, but even then my soil is still damp sometimes.I could probably go 2 weeks before they needed watering.

What's your experience like?

[Steve Mac]

Mate, I often feel like I am swimming against the tide. I know that none of my opinions are considered best practice.  My experiences are usually only of value to people in a climate similar to Cronulla, Sydney, Australia. Consider that when you listen to anyone, that is, see where they are from. Best listen to a local. If you live in central Europe, the Mediterranean, Canada, Hawaii or Georgia your potting mixes will/should probably vary a bit. Also the mix depends on the amount of time that you want to devote to the plants. Georgia is up next to Russia, I think that it is cold up there. 

I am a lazy gardener, I am in Cronulla,  I can afford to be lazy. I have pots outside that take over 20 mins to drain visible water from the top of the pot, and most of my palms and other plants thrive anyway. I grow palms with no care that other people struggle with. But I don't try to grow lipsticks or Pritchardia pacifica. I know that I am not in Hawaii.

If you are retired and are a real palm enthusiast and you want to push the envelop and your climate is suitable, you will have a fast draining mix, water and fertilise carefully and often. Otherwise you will chose a palm that is suitable to your area and you can relax and water once a week or three.

And mate, one more personal opinion, consider signing off with a first name. I don't know why more people don't do it, especially since this is such a friendly forum. I am probably the rudest person on here. It is more friendly and I believe that other people relate better to a person not a "username".

I hope that I have been of help.  Cheers Steve

[Reynevan]

5 hours ago, gtsteve said:

Mate, I often feel like I am swimming against the tide. I know that none of my opinions are considered best practice.  My experiences are usually only of value to people in a climate similar to Cronulla, Sydney, Australia. Consider that when you listen to anyone, that is, see where they are from. Best listen to a local. If you live in central Europe, the Mediterranean, Canada, Hawaii or Georgia your potting mixes will/should probably vary a bit. Also the mix depends on the amount of time that you want to devote to the plants. Georgia is up next to Russia, I think that it is cold up there. 

I am a lazy gardener, I am in Cronulla,  I can afford to be lazy. I have pots outside that take over 20 mins to drain visible water from the top of the pot, and most of my palms and other plants thrive anyway. I grow palms with no care that other people struggle with. But I don't try to grow lipsticks or Pritchardia pacifica. I know that I am not in Hawaii.

If you are retired and are a real palm enthusiast and you want to push the envelop and your climate is suitable, you will have a fast draining mix, water and fertilise carefully and often. Otherwise you will chose a palm that is suitable to your area and you can relax and water once a week or three.

And mate, one more personal opinion, consider signing off with a first name. I don't know why more people don't do it, especially since this is such a friendly forum. I am probably the rudest person on here. It is more friendly and I believe that other people relate better to a person not a "username".

I hope that I have been of help.  Cheers Steve

I am quite sure PalmX is from the state of Georgia in the US.

[zoli]

Like Steve says above, it depends. It depends on your mix, your temperatures, and the plant species in question. It is a complex topic that even many experienced people can sometimes get wrong. As a good general rule of thumb though, in my experience, most plants should visibly dry out somewhat between waterings. How much? How can you tell? Well, that will come with experience. Oh, and most importantly, like Steve also said, this mostly applies to container culture and areas where what you grow is, for a lack of a better word, forced. If you live in Hawaii, for example, you would just leave your pot outside, possibly under shade cloth and check on it periodically. On the flipside, if you are growing palms indoors in an apartment, you'd better stay on top of every little detail or you'd be shit out of luck.

Zoli