Got a 7-10 year old palm—how to water it and how much?

[Juanaramirez]

Hi,

We got a palm today. We dug it out today. Im hoping it survives.

1) How much should I water it?

2) Everyday, every couple of days, every week?

3) And how much water?

4) is it too soon to tell if it’s a male or female?

5) are we allowed to clean between the branches or should we wait?

The landscaper told me to water it every day for a month. Someone else told me do it once and water in a month again. Everyone has different opinions. 

I’m sure there’s a transfer shock so we are doing everything we can to make sure it’s ok. 

It was planted in 2017 on the ground when it was 1-3 years old. It had regular sun. When we dug it up, the trunk was 24 inches wide and 42 inches high. The fronds were 7 feet high. The owner didn’t want it on his property so we took it. 
 

Here’s what we did:

I tied the fronds. And I watered it for like 5-10 mins with a hose and build a circular dirt borders. We also added some sand at the bottom. I can’t undo do this, but what can I do to make sure it survives these next days, weeks and months?

Pictures attached. 

 

 

Edited February 26, 2024 by Juanaramirez
Pics

[Jim in Los Altos]

Untie the fronds first. There are plenty of studies out there that dispel the myth of frond tying anywhere but in the hot dry desert. In the LA area it’s mild this time of year and you’ll want those fronds right where nature intends. Plenty of fronds were removed to help reduce the stress load. Water daily enough to keep the root ball moist. Phoenix canariensis are good candidates for transplanting. Once per month watering would be a recipe for death of the palm unless it was raining almost constantly. You can back off daily watering to three times per week after a month if the palm seems okay. 

Edited February 26, 2024 by Jim in Los Altos

[Juanaramirez]

Thank you for this. 

We moved the palm from the San Gabriel Valley, CA where is slightly warmer in California to closer to Los Angeles, California where the 710 Freeway ends and it tends to be slightly cooler than the San Gabriel valley. So right now weather is like 59-75 degrees for the next 2-3 weeks.

What does tying of the fronds really do? Someone told me they protect the tree after transfer shock but you’re saying is not necessary? I just want it to survive so im willing to listen to the experts. 

[Harry’s Palms]

In hot , dry climates , it was believed that tying the fronds was to help the palm hold moisture. In cooler climates like now in Los Angeles , just keep the root ball wet. As Jim said , these are great candidates for transplanting . Keep in mind that , in time , these get large with big trunks so make sure it has enough room. Harry