Newbie planting new palms

[Final]

Hello, so glad I found this forum. I live in the high desert southern California. I'm planting some Mexican fan palms and mediterranean palms soon. Was wondering what type of soil or fertilizer to use and the best way to keep them healthy and growing. If there is already a post explaining all of this, then can you please send the link. Thanks 

[Billeb]

Welcome to PT! 
I don’t get too crazy with my plantings honestly. I use the native soil and mix it with your standard Kellogg Cactus mix, pumice, Turf n Tee (composted forest bark) if I have some. It may be a little overboard but I like to dig the hole and back fill it so the native soil gets mixed in less and less toward the top. In my mind, the roots will be less shocked as they inevitably spread to 100% native soil. Probably irrelevant but… 

Happy planting. 
 

-dale

[Final]

Thanks for responding.  Appreciate the advice. I just planted them today. Was looking into getting a few queen palms. Should I even try? I know we have some here in the hd. Just wondering if it's difficult to keep healthy here especially in the winter. Thanks again.

[SHEP]

Hi, you must be so excited planting a new yard.  I would suggest that you find a product similar to 'EZ Wet'.   Basically it is a product you add to your water, so that it penetrates into the soil, and changes the surface tension, so that the water is absorbed.  Many new plants, for some reason look like you are watering them, but does not absorb into the planting mix.  Every Spring, I have to use this to water my potted cactus, and succulents, the water runs right through it, without wetting the potting mix, if I don't use this or a similar acting product, the plants would die.  I have one potted, cactus that I have had 50 years, my first plant, and I would have killed it years ago, if I hadn't learned this trick.  I don't have this problem with our lawn, but some soil compost, or additives just don't get wet, or just the top surface gets wet, and it doesn't penetrate and get absorbed into the soil mix.  I think drip irrigation, because it is slower speed, doesn't have as much of a problem and need this.  So, test it out and check with your fingers, down six inches to see if your plants are actually getting wet, deep down, and not running through the mix, and actually getting wet.  My husband says you can save money, by just using a couple of drops of liquid dish soap in a gallon of water, instead of the product I use.   I only have to use it initially in the growing season, and it isn't a problem for the next year.  Welcome to Palm Talk.  I am in northern California, but grew up in Southern California, and my next plant was a palm.  Cecile

[awkonradi]

On 3/10/2022 at 4:59 PM, Final said:

Hello, so glad I found this forum. I live in the high desert southern California. I'm planting some Mexican fan palms and mediterranean palms soon. Was wondering what type of soil or fertilizer to use and the best way to keep them healthy and growing. If there is already a post explaining all of this, then can you please send the link. Thanks 

Would you like to post some pictures of your property?  I bet some wise PalmTalkers could provide much useful advice, based on just a few pictures.  I bet some persons would recognize your soil type, drainage, etc., and be able to comment on their first-hand experience with similar.