Windmill Palm soil

[Colin1110082]

Hello, soon I will order two 18-20 or 22-24” windmill Palm from Palmpeii nursery. Is there any recommended pot size, soil type, or fertilizer/perlite? Also how much should I water? I will put it in my deck which gets sun from about 8:30ish AM-5ish PM. I’ll probably take it inside when it gets below 40, 40 is usually the lowest we go in May in the night. Though frosts can happen up until Memorial Day, so I’ll have to watch, as well as “colder” rains.

For the soil would miracle gro potting mix work? Thank you

[Colin1110082]

Or instead of taking it in I can drape a tarp over it as well. 

[ChicagoPalma]

31 minutes ago, Colin1110082 said:

Or instead of taking it in I can drape a tarp over it as well. 

 

32 minutes ago, Colin1110082 said:

Hello, soon I will order two 18-20 or 22-24” windmill Palm from Palmpeii nursery. Is there any recommended pot size, soil type, or fertilizer/perlite? Also how much should I water? I will put it in my deck which gets sun from about 8:30ish AM-5ish PM. I’ll probably take it inside when it gets below 40, 40 is usually the lowest we go in May in the night. Though frosts can happen up until Memorial Day, so I’ll have to watch, as well as “colder” rains.

For the soil would miracle gro potting mix work? Thank you

Windmill palm seedlings or smaller sized windmills don't need anything specific just some well draining soil such as a miracle-gro potting mix. Don't need to bring them inside until temps go below 32F since they are potted. Frost is fine and windmill will be fine. Colder rains don't matter so much and they are generally fine. Don't put the two palms straight outside on the deck, let them first have indirect light then slowly acclimate to full sun. No need to use any tarps. And finally for watering, try to keep the soil moist at best.

[Chester B]

Anything but Miracle Gro potting soil.  You'll end up with mucky wet soil.  These palms aren't all that picky, so all I do is use the standard tree/shrub soil mixed with a healthy dose of perlite.  You can also add in some bark chips.  You want the soil to be moisture retentive but free draining at the same time.  These palms will do best watered frequently so you want the water to drain out well.  That's what I do, but you can also check in the potted palms section for soil mixes.

In the ground is a different story, they do well in clay, and can tolerate muck, and seasonal flooding.  It's something that they seem to have encoded in their genes so must experience this in habitat.  This is something each individual can handle, and is not something only a select few can manage.  Really they will tolerate most types of soil, but do the worst in sandy conditions.  

Plants in pots are more sensitive to cold so I would bring them in.  You don't know if they were grown only inside, so may not be hardened off to the cold.  At 40F they should be fine, but no point in risking it this first spring.

[Colin1110082]

6 minutes ago, Chester B said:

Anything but Miracle Gro potting soil.  You'll end up with mucky wet soil.  These palms aren't all that picky, so all I do is use the standard tree/shrub soil mixed with a healthy dose of perlite.  You can also add in some bark chips.  You want the soil to be moisture retentive but free draining at the same time.  These palms will do best watered frequently so you want the water to drain out well.  That's what I do, but you can also check in the potted palms section for soil mixes.

In the ground is a different story, they do well in clay, and can tolerate muck, and seasonal flooding.  It's something that they seem to have encoded in their genes so must experience this in habitat.  This is something each individual can handle, and is not something only a select few can manage.  Really they will tolerate most types of soil, but do the worst in sandy conditions.  

Plants in pots are more sensitive to cold so I would bring them in.  You don't know if they were grown only inside, so may not be hardened off to the cold.

How about miracle gro cactus palm and citrus soil? I don’t know if it’s for pots but I think it will be fine. I’m not sure though. There is also moisture control and tropical houseplant soil. I’m asking because seller said use miracle gro potting mix. Bark and other stuff shouldn’t be a problem. I could also order special soil too if I need it.  Seller also said 3 gal pot. I can always drill or widen the holes if needed 

Edited April 30, 2024 by Colin1110082
Forgot something

[ChicagoPalma]

1 hour ago, Colin1110082 said:

How about miracle gro cactus palm and citrus soil? I don’t know if it’s for pots but I think it will be fine. I’m not sure though. There is also moisture control and tropical houseplant soil. I’m asking because seller said use miracle gro potting mix. Bark and other stuff shouldn’t be a problem. I could also order special soil too if I need it.  Seller also said 3 gal pot. I can always drill or widen the holes if needed 

Yeah I thought you meant the palm mix in the first place but yeah not the regular potting mix, its ok but crappy soil.

[Leelanau Palms]

I've grown mine from 1 gallon to 3.5 feet tall in 2 years here in Northern Michigan. They are not fussy. Mine winter indoors in a bright cooler room. They are outdoors mid May to mid October in part shade. I have used miracle gro moisture control potting soil the whole time with good results. However, I have steadily up-potted them. A long time in the same pot with this soil may be problematic. I water them liberally in the growing season and back off during the winter. I've used osmocote plus and occasional miracle gro for acid loving plants. I babied them when they were younger, avoiding near freezing temps.

You just have to be more careful with the heavier soil.

[Leelanau Palms]

Avoid direct sun to start - let them slowly acclimate to the light levels!

[Colin1110082]

44 minutes ago, Leelanau Palms said:

I've grown mine from 1 gallon to 3.5 feet tall in 2 years here in Northern Michigan. They are not fussy. Mine winter indoors in a bright cooler room. They are outdoors mid May to mid October in part shade. I have used miracle gro moisture control potting soil the whole time with good results. However, I have steadily up-potted them. A long time in the same pot with this soil may be problematic. I water them liberally in the growing season and back off during the winter. I've used osmocote plus and occasional miracle gro for acid loving plants. I babied them when they were younger, avoiding near freezing temps.

You just have to be more careful with the heavier soil.

Is the palm citrus and cactus soil light? If it is I’ll just use that and mix in with wood chips and use palm fert in the top 

[Chester B]

15 minutes ago, Colin1110082 said:

Is the palm citrus and cactus soil light? If it is I’ll just use that and mix in with wood chips and use palm fert in the top 

I've used that, but I still in mix in additional perlite.

[Leelanau Palms]

Original in May 2022: 

 

Now: 

[Colin1110082]

46 minutes ago, Leelanau Palms said:

Original in May 2022: 

 

Now: 

Wow, those seem to grow quick! Amazing. You bring them in your house then? Do these bring in bugs and fungus, that’s my biggest fear with all the crawlies in the soil. Amazing palms. That looks about the size of the Palmpei ones I would probably buy yours in 2022. Will you put them in  the ground?

[Leelanau Palms]

Yes, I bring them in during the winter. When they are outside, their pots are on cement, so they don't seem to pick up pests. They ARE getting big. It was a struggle last fall to carry them up the stairs to the sunny room. They either may need to stay in the garage this winter or find a new home...hint to anyone interested. 

[Colin1110082]

14 hours ago, Leelanau Palms said:

Yes, I bring them in during the winter. When they are outside, their pots are on cement, so they don't seem to pick up pests. They ARE getting big. It was a struggle last fall to carry them up the stairs to the sunny room. They either may need to stay in the garage this winter or find a new home...hint to anyone interested. 

Okay I ordered the palms! I’ll get the soil later. Just Palm citrus cactus soil, mulch, and perlite? Any color mulch does it matter? 

[Leelanau Palms]

2 hours ago, Colin1110082 said:

Okay I ordered the palms! I’ll get the soil later. Just Palm citrus cactus soil, mulch, and perlite? Any color mulch does it matter? 

Yay! Excited for you! When these palms are young and going to be up-potted before too long, the soil is not as critical. Like all things, it's a balance of many factors: the age of the palm, the size of the pot vs. the size of the palm, how long the palm will be in that pot, how experienced you are with watering, how warm/dry/sunny the environment is, etc. If you use leaner, faster draining, more coarse soil, you will be protected from over watering, but you will have to monitor and water more often. You get the idea.

[Steve in Florida]

On 4/30/2024 at 8:54 AM, Colin1110082 said:

How about miracle gro cactus palm and citrus soil? I don’t know if it’s for pots but I think it will be fine. I’m not sure though. There is also moisture control and tropical houseplant soil. I’m asking because seller said use miracle gro potting mix. Bark and other stuff shouldn’t be a problem. I could also order special soil too if I need it.  Seller also said 3 gal pot. I can always drill or widen the holes if needed 

 Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix does not retain much moisture.   Windmill palms like a lot of soil moisture, but not saturated substrate.  You may need to water daily in the summer and adding perlite will make the substrate dry even more quickly..  I added 25% shredded sphagnum peat to maintain a consistent soil mixture and porosity level, and this worked fine for a year.

[Colin1110082]

I just spent a lot on soil and 3 gal pots I’m afraid 3 gal might be too large but we’ll see. I have the receipt.  I bought the miracle grow stuff. Watering isn’t a problem 

[Leelanau Palms]

My trachys have tolerated larger pots ok. Good time of the year for it since there roots will be growing away.

[Colin1110082]

2 hours ago, Leelanau Palms said:

My trachys have tolerated larger pots ok. Good time of the year for it since there roots will be growing away.

We’ll see. These are pretty big. I’ll send pics tomorrow

Edited May 4, 2024 by Colin1110082
mistake

[Colin1110082]

 

3 hours ago, Leelanau Palms said:

My trachys have tolerated larger pots ok. Good time of the year for it since there roots will be growing away.

[Leelanau Palms]

Hiw big are the trachys you bought?

[Colin1110082]

10 minutes ago, Leelanau Palms said:

Hiw big are the trachys you bought?

Palmpeii nursery 18-20”, this is what they said to get 

[Leelanau Palms]

Looking forward.to seeing them all potted up!

[Colin1110082]

10 hours ago, Leelanau Palms said:

Looking forward.to seeing them all potted up!

It says they arrive tomorrow 

[Colin1110082]

15 hours ago, Leelanau Palms said:

Looking forward.to seeing them all potted up!

When should I fertilize and what type should I use the palmgain or palmtone right?

[Leelanau Palms]

Personally, I would let them settle in with no fertilizer until you clearly see new growth or a month, whichever is longer. Like with watering, there are nuances to fertilizing. Palmgain is the magic formula, but is shorter acting so it can wash out of the pot, burn if over applied, and needs to be repeated more often. I have used osmocote plus with good success for my trachys. It's longer acting and harder to misuse.  Others may have a different take.

[Colin1110082]

21 hours ago, Leelanau Palms said:

Personally, I would let them settle in with no fertilizer until you clearly see new growth or a month, whichever is longer. Like with watering, there are nuances to fertilizing. Palmgain is the magic formula, but is shorter acting so it can wash out of the pot, burn if over applied, and needs to be repeated more often. I have used osmocote plus with good success for my trachys. It's longer acting and harder to misuse.  Others may have a different take.

I got the palms but I’m not home I got the delivery notification. Any tips on planting? Bare root, I’ll post pictures when I get home or after I plant just wondering any tips for potted bare root palm planting. I’ll have to really water too. It’s 70 and sunny so they Will enjoy the sun 

[Leelanau Palms]

Colin, congratulations, I'm so excited for you! Palms differ in their susceptibility to transplant shock. For me, trachys have been very forgiving. Partially fill your pots with soil--I'm guessing half way or more. Gently remove the palms from their packaging. Unless their roots are really compacted, they should not be manipulated. If you do feel there is compelling need to spread the roots, do so very gently. Hold the palm in the center of the pot at a good level and gently pour/scoop soil into the pot, burying the palm roots. Remember not to plant too deeply. Gently firm the soil to stabilize the palm. Water generously. Keep in mind most soils will settle meaningfully, so plant a bit higher in the pot than you might naturally think.