transferring palm seedlings from plastic bottles to tree pots

[miamicuse]

I have about 48 seedlings that were previously in small cut up water bottles that I would like up to 4"X9" tree pots.

These are Licuala sp (not sure which kind) seedlings.

Can someone recommend a good soil mix to use on the slightly bigger pots?    Should I use Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Soil, or do something else?

The water bottles I have now, I used generic top soil, mixed with sand, perlite, and I put 2" of pea gravel at the bottom of the bottles.

[5am]

I'm no expert. The only licuala I've grown, long ago, was happy indoors in Miracle Grow cactus, palm & citrus soil. (L. grandis.)  It worked for 2 years until I needed to reclaim the spot it was in.

In another thread, I think @PalmatierMeg generally recommends Kellogg soil. I have some young palms growing in Kellogg garden soil since spring 2022 and they are doing well. The price of Kellogg jumped this year so I've decided to try something more similar to what I see at the local nurseries. My mix is almost straight mulch w/ added fertilizer.  Whatever the case, I think you want it to be light and fluffy, unable to turn into thick mud. Just don't make it so light that it won't retain moisture or that it won't hold up your seedlings! 

Unless that pea gravel is acting as a weight to stabilize the bottles, it is not helping. I think a "drainage layer" doesn't actually have that effect in a pot. Instead, it just gives your roots less space. 

 

[miamicuse]

Ok get rid of the pea gravel.  When I transplant should I keep the soil from the water bottles as much as I can or should I shake loose as much as possible to have brand new medium?