checking in before planting pygmy date palms

[audioaxes]

I am inland SoCal.. very hot and dry and my soil is hard and clumpy.  The bare surface on some parts seems as hard as cement.  I am planting in an almost full sun location.  I plan to till the immediate surrounding area of the planting site and amend with some composted manure and let sit for a week.  I will plant at a depth where the root ball sits a inch above soil.  Any concerns with this plan?  A few of my palms are in nursery pots that seem to small for the size and most likely root bound.  Should I try to trim, score, or disturb up the root ball before planting?  

Thank you

 

[Jim in Los Altos]

Rule #1: Never ever disturb a palm’s rootball while planting. Doing that is the best way to stress and set back the palm. 
 

Rule #2: Plant the palm so that the top surface of the root ball is even with the surrounding soil. No roots should be exposed to air and the base of the trunk should be making contact with the soil. Water loving palms like Pygmy Dates would not benefit from planting “high” even if your soil doesn’t drain well. 

If you’re in a hot inland area, your Pygmy is going to need tons of water to grow properly if in full blazing sun. In partial shade, they tend to look better, greener, and happier unless in a cooler coastal climate. They’re not very particular about soil but you obviously don’t want soil that imitates cement. 

[Harry’s Palms]

I would spend extra time to dig out a large are where you plan to put them and mix in some top soil at least six inches deeper than the root ball and soak prior to installing the palm creating an organic mulch all around the roots . This will keep the soil from getting crusty . I have a lot of amended soil around my house where my palms are planted and my flower beds . There are garden soil mixes that have nutrients added but I just use a good top soil or garden mix . I also have bark every where . I am only inland about 20 miles from the coast but we are at least 10 degrees warmer , and much dryer. I water a lot . I also add more mulch a couple of times a year and regular wood chip refresh . In warm or hot climates I think it is important.  Pygmy palms love water , especially in full sun. I just did this around my Venezuelan Royal , it has been in the ground over 20 years. I will add fresh wood chips . The soil was mixed with palm food. To the left are multi Pygmy palms. Harry

[Harry’s Palms]

Another example . I just did this one , a 25 year old Triangle palm. If you do this at least once a year in warm , dry climates . Your palms will thank you. Harry

[Merlyn]

I know nothing about CA clay soils, so I won't comment on that.    Regarding the planting depth that @Jim in Los Altos mentioned, here is a good tutorial, written by an IPS Director and fellow Palmtalker:

http://www.marriedtoplants.com/palms/palm-tree-growing-tips-mounding/

[audioaxes]

thank you have a few follow up questions...

how often should I water for first x days/weeks?  I am zone 10 and its currently been low 80s, in June average highs jump to 87 and July/August it will be mid 90s.  These were decently sized palms already, biggest one was a 50 gallon. 

One of my palms was accidentally over fertilized... I thought I mixed 1/2 cubic foot of compost into the plot but after the fact I realized it was 1/2 cubic foot of steer manure.  Will this be an issue?

[ahosey01]

23 minutes ago, audioaxes said:

thank you have a few follow up questions...

how often should I water for first x days/weeks?  I am zone 10 and its currently been low 80s, in June average highs jump to 87 and July/August it will be mid 90s.  These were decently sized palms already, biggest one was a 50 gallon. 

One of my palms was accidentally over fertilized... I thought I mixed 1/2 cubic foot of compost into the plot but after the fact I realized it was 1/2 cubic foot of steer manure.  Will this be an issue?

As long as your soil isn't heavy anaerobic clay you basically can't overwater these.  If I'm not mistaken they grow in running water in their natural habitat.