Best Way to Speed up a Palm's Growth

[EJPalm05]

I was wondering what the best way to speed up a palm's growth. I know about fertilizing them but how much and when? and are there any other ways?

[ChicagoPalma]

  On 3/27/2024 at 7:55 PM, EJPalm05 said:

I was wondering what the best way to speed up a palm's growth. I know about fertilizing them but how much and when? and are there any other ways?

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My windmill palm pushed out 6 fronds from the time it was planted in July all the way till Halloween when the warm weather ended. What I did was put a bunch of the miraclegro plant food underneath the rootball before planting in ground and watering it every week or so for two months. Growth was surprisingly way more than average. Also get your palm from a good grower or a local one for best results for new palms to grow faster. To sum it up, just lots of fertilizer and lots of water.

 

[sonoranfans]

 

without heat they wont grow fast.  no sense fertilizing if you cant have warm soil.  And you should not put fertilizer down the hole it may cause root burn.

[Harry’s Palms]

It depends on the type of palm and the location. No real “one size fits all” answer. Palms vary quite a bit. Harry

[Leelanau Palms]

What kind of palm would you like to accelerate?

[PindoPalm]

It depends what type. If it is normally a slow grower (2-6 inches a year) it is possible to speed it up if you give it nutrients on a regular basis and water it regularly. I have a pindo Palm (i do not know the variant) that seems to be growing around 8 inches a year (based on recent growth) although my nursery said 6 at most. Here are some photos (last photo is from December)

[EJPalm05]

  On 3/28/2024 at 2:38 AM, Leelanau Palms said:

What kind of palm would you like to accelerate?

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I was going to see if I could speed up my sabal minors and trachy.

[happypalms]

Water warm soil and love of palms but that all depends on what variety of palm you have 

[Harry’s Palms]

If you want to speed up these palms you could get some slow release palm fertilizer like Palm Plus or Palm Gain and follow the directions carefully. Also , a good mulch if they are in the ground , but being in New Jersey , they are probably in pots (?) . If they are in the ground , definitely protection is required during the winter and some lights wouldn’t hurt. The Sabal minor is a slow grower in most climates , the Trachycarpus is a bit faster but where you are they will not speed up that much. They both like light and warmth to be optimal . A greenhouse would be ideal especially with a balanced lighting system for extended light during the winter. Harry

[TampaBayRay]

I think my palms like “root burn”

 

[happypalms]

  On 3/28/2024 at 11:43 AM, Harry’s Palms said:

If you want to speed up these palms you could get some slow release palm fertilizer like Palm Plus or Palm Gain and follow the directions carefully. Also , a good mulch if they are in the ground , but being in New Jersey , they are probably in pots (?) . If they are in the ground , definitely protection is required during the winter and some lights wouldn’t hurt. The Sabal minor is a slow grower in most climates , the Trachycarpus is a bit faster but where you are they will not speed up that much. They both like light and warmth to be optimal . A greenhouse would be ideal especially with a balanced lighting system for extended light during the winter. Harry

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Another good way is to wait 26 years basically that’s what it takes you can’t really make a palm garden overnight 🌱

[sonoranfans]

  On 3/28/2024 at 12:22 PM, TampaBayRay said:

I think my palms like “root burn”

 

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You might try digging them up every year just to give them some burn!

[Chester B]

  On 3/28/2024 at 11:17 AM, EJPalm05 said:

I was going to see if I could speed up my sabal minors and trachy.

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Water and lots of it for both, and plant the Sabals in the hottest spot you got.

[EJPalm05]

  On 3/28/2024 at 11:43 AM, Harry’s Palms said:

If you want to speed up these palms you could get some slow release palm fertilizer like Palm Plus or Palm Gain and follow the directions carefully. Also , a good mulch if they are in the ground , but being in New Jersey , they are probably in pots (?) . If they are in the ground , definitely protection is required during the winter and some lights wouldn’t hurt. The Sabal minor is a slow grower in most climates , the Trachycarpus is a bit faster but where you are they will not speed up that much. They both like light and warmth to be optimal . A greenhouse would be ideal especially with a balanced lighting system for extended light during the winter. Harry

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I have my Trachy in the best microclimate on a south facing wall where it gets really hot. And I will protect it until it gets established. I have a greenhouse that I don't use in the winter because it's a plastic greenhouse.

[Harry’s Palms]

It sounds like you have it right for your area. I don’t know what could be done to give any noticeable speed in growth . Like Happypalms said , time , time , and more time. My Sabal is at least 25 years old and my Trachy over 10. The Sabal is large , way overhead(Palmetto) and the Trachy about 4’-5’ , both from very small plants. I live in Southern California so these palms show year round growth with no threat of harsh winters. Harrymy Trachycarpus in the foregroundSabal Palmetto , well over 26 years! That trunk is taller than me , I am 6’ tall. Harry

[D Palm]

My palms seem to speed up the spring process if I use Southern Ag Palm Nutritional Spray. Palms like Washingtonia doesn’t matter, they grow relatively fast. Fertilizer helps it look fuller.

If the palm is a heavy feeder, feed it in warm weather. When night lows start hovering around 40’s low 50’s (approaching spring) the ground tends to warm shortly after so the roots can intake nutrients better, I use granulars about 2-4 weeks before that so it’s available.
 

Pindo palms appreciate the nutritional spray from personal experience. 

[Bkue]

Sunlight and excessive water trumps all. Fert will help long term but nothing trumps sun shine and water. 

[Billy]

Buy a plane ticket and go somewhere for a few weeks. That’s how you accelerate growth rate! 😆