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Windmill Palm tree Advice tips and tricks

NEOhioPalmFanatic24

By NEOhioPalmFanatic24
in COLD HARDY PALMS

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NEOhioPalmFanatic24 Apprentice

NEOhioPalmFanatic24

Posted
Posted

Hello All!

new to the forum here! I currently have a windmill palm in a pot that have been transporting inside for winter. It looks sad in my pot so I’m thinking on planting it in the ground soon. Any recommendations on how to do this and what to fertilize plant with? Also, for winter protection, what does everyone use? I live in zone 6b with some very windy winters.

  • Like 3
Leelanau Palms Mentor

Leelanau Palms

Posted
Posted

Welcome! Could you please share pictures?

Check out tn tropics on YouTube with our very own @Allen for information. 

  • Like 3

Zone 6b maritime climate

NEOhioPalmFanatic24 Apprentice

NEOhioPalmFanatic24

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hello! 
 

Here are some pics of it currently in a planter. I won’t be able to plant until at least another month. Any advice on how to plant and what to fertilize with? It’s got brown tips. 

IMG_2747.jpeg

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  • Like 2
Allen Grand Master

Allen

Posted
Posted

Here is my popular video guide.  It will be best for you to use the box method for protection this winter and plant as soon as possible now.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOOhgmWnqRA&list=PLpVDrk5W7jTdi9rI2XtXs5lSKf3tEX7J1&index=2

 

  • Like 1

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@tntropics - 60+ In-ground 7B palms - (Sabal) minor (15+, 3 dwarf),  brazoria (1) , birmingham (3), louisiana (4), palmetto (2),  (Trachycarpus) fortunei (15+), wagnerianus (2+),  Rhapidophyllum hystrix (7),  Blue Butia odorata (1), Serenoa repens (1) +Tons of tropical plants.  Recent Yearly Lows 4F, -6F, -1F, 12F, 11F, 18F, 16F, 3F, 3F, 6F, 3F, 1F, 16F, 17F, 6F, 8F

 

NEOhioPalmFanatic24 Apprentice

NEOhioPalmFanatic24

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thank you Allen! I may have missed this in video but what kind of mulch do you use for your windmill palms? And when planting, do you plant flat with ground or plant a few inches above ground level? I think I’ll get this in ground this weekend. Any recommendations on how to water? Keep crown dry and water at base only? Only fertilizer after a month has passed. So I got that part. Come winter time, you say box method. Is that the wooden frame with foam boards screwed to the sides?

Allen Grand Master

Allen

Posted
Posted
37 minutes ago, NEOhioPalmFanatic24 said:

Thank you Allen! I may have missed this in video but what kind of mulch do you use for your windmill palms? And when planting, do you plant flat with ground or plant a few inches above ground level? I think I’ll get this in ground this weekend. Any recommendations on how to water? Keep crown dry and water at base only? Only fertilizer after a month has passed. So I got that part. Come winter time, you say box method. Is that the wooden frame with foam boards screwed to the sides?

Pine Bark Mulch, plant even with ground don't have to amend hole, water recommendation in video, box method example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snEl8oAOD10

Planting example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsA2NEmK1Rg

 

  • Like 1

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@tntropics - 60+ In-ground 7B palms - (Sabal) minor (15+, 3 dwarf),  brazoria (1) , birmingham (3), louisiana (4), palmetto (2),  (Trachycarpus) fortunei (15+), wagnerianus (2+),  Rhapidophyllum hystrix (7),  Blue Butia odorata (1), Serenoa repens (1) +Tons of tropical plants.  Recent Yearly Lows 4F, -6F, -1F, 12F, 11F, 18F, 16F, 3F, 3F, 6F, 3F, 1F, 16F, 17F, 6F, 8F

 

NEOhioPalmFanatic24 Apprentice

NEOhioPalmFanatic24

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thank you! You have been a great help! What kind of fertilizer do you recommend for my palm as it is not as healthy as the one you planted in the video?

Allen Grand Master

Allen

Posted
Posted
7 minutes ago, NEOhioPalmFanatic24 said:

Thank you! You have been a great help! What kind of fertilizer do you recommend for my palm as it is not as healthy as the one you planted in the video?

Osmocote plus outdoor mixed in the top few inches of soil.  I would plant this palm even with where the roots meet the trunk in your photos and gently shake off any loose potting soil. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dsWuIg3LkI

 

  • Like 1

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@tntropics - 60+ In-ground 7B palms - (Sabal) minor (15+, 3 dwarf),  brazoria (1) , birmingham (3), louisiana (4), palmetto (2),  (Trachycarpus) fortunei (15+), wagnerianus (2+),  Rhapidophyllum hystrix (7),  Blue Butia odorata (1), Serenoa repens (1) +Tons of tropical plants.  Recent Yearly Lows 4F, -6F, -1F, 12F, 11F, 18F, 16F, 3F, 3F, 6F, 3F, 1F, 16F, 17F, 6F, 8F

 

NEOhioPalmFanatic24 Apprentice

NEOhioPalmFanatic24

Posted
  • Author
Posted

In 3 months or so, can I use palm gain fertilizer? Do you have a link to the watering supplies? Is it just a drip irrigation?

Allen Grand Master

Allen

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, NEOhioPalmFanatic24 said:

In 3 months or so, can I use palm gain fertilizer? Do you have a link to the watering supplies? Is it just a drip irrigation?

Yes if it's doing well, the Osmocote is a little more 'gentle' and I feel more appropriate for your palm currently which is a little weak.   You can use drip from drip depot or hand water whatever suits you

  • Like 1

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@tntropics - 60+ In-ground 7B palms - (Sabal) minor (15+, 3 dwarf),  brazoria (1) , birmingham (3), louisiana (4), palmetto (2),  (Trachycarpus) fortunei (15+), wagnerianus (2+),  Rhapidophyllum hystrix (7),  Blue Butia odorata (1), Serenoa repens (1) +Tons of tropical plants.  Recent Yearly Lows 4F, -6F, -1F, 12F, 11F, 18F, 16F, 3F, 3F, 6F, 3F, 1F, 16F, 17F, 6F, 8F

 

Leelanau Palms Mentor

Leelanau Palms

Posted
Posted

I've had good success with osmocote plus on my trachys. 

Zone 6b maritime climate

NEOhioPalmFanatic24 Apprentice

NEOhioPalmFanatic24

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I got her in! Is the mulch around now fine? I know you said pine bark mulch but wanted to check with you ? If I did pine bark, could I just do a 12in ring of it? Also, any pruning needed or wait? I was going to cut the dead branch in the picture but can leave it. On to the store to get osmocote. Do you recommend a 12 in circle around the tree drop line for fertilizer?

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  • Like 5
Leelanau Palms Mentor

Leelanau Palms

Posted
Posted

Ok to trim the dead branch. Current mulch is ok, but I would run it very thin (or none) close to/against the trunk (4-6 inches away). Make sure you watered it heavily at planting. There's no rush on the osmocote. What kind of soil is it in? How much sun?

  • Like 2

Zone 6b maritime climate

Allen Grand Master

Allen

Posted
Posted

Congrats Congrats!  Like @Leelanau Palms said the mulch is no big deal either way.  And I agree with what @Leelanau Palms said to move the mulch a little away from the trunk for now.  Go easy and just put out about 3 tablespoons (1 red scoop if it has it) of the Osmocote plus.  

  • Like 2

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@tntropics - 60+ In-ground 7B palms - (Sabal) minor (15+, 3 dwarf),  brazoria (1) , birmingham (3), louisiana (4), palmetto (2),  (Trachycarpus) fortunei (15+), wagnerianus (2+),  Rhapidophyllum hystrix (7),  Blue Butia odorata (1), Serenoa repens (1) +Tons of tropical plants.  Recent Yearly Lows 4F, -6F, -1F, 12F, 11F, 18F, 16F, 3F, 3F, 6F, 3F, 1F, 16F, 17F, 6F, 8F

 

NEOhioPalmFanatic24 Apprentice

NEOhioPalmFanatic24

Posted
  • Author
Posted
19 minutes ago, Leelanau Palms said:

Ok to trim the dead branch. Current mulch is ok, but I would run it very thin (or none) close to/against the trunk (4-6 inches away). Make sure you watered it heavily at planting. There's no rush on the osmocote. What kind of soil is it in? How much sun?

It’s in front of my house. Gets full sun in afternoon. House is facing west southwest side. (This was best spot I had).

NEOhioPalmFanatic24 Apprentice

NEOhioPalmFanatic24

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Should I be worried about the ponding and the dirt not absorbing the water quickly? Or am I overthinking it? It’s all clay. 

IMG_2753.jpeg

  • Like 2
NEOhioPalmFanatic24 Apprentice

NEOhioPalmFanatic24

Posted
  • Author
Posted
57 minutes ago, Leelanau Palms said:

Ok to trim the dead branch. Current mulch is ok, but I would run it very thin (or none) close to/against the trunk (4-6 inches away). Make sure you watered it heavily at planting. There's no rush on the osmocote. What kind of soil is it in? How much sun?

Thank you! Still new to this palm forum. Thank you for messaging me! If I got pine bark mulch should it still be 4-6 in away from trunk and thin? The soil it is in is clay soil. The water is pooling at the top when I water it, is there anything that can be done to stop this or is this good for the windmill palm?

IMG_2753.jpeg

  • Like 2
Leelanau Palms Mentor

Leelanau Palms

Posted
Posted

Keep all mulch of all kinds away from the trunk. You do not need to add pine bark mulch to what you have. I asked about siting and soil to help you decide on watering. Trachys can take wetter soil. That being said, since you have slow draining clay, you likely will not need to water as often. Be careful not to over water -- take your time, observe, dig down to check on soil moisture before watering until you get a feel for things. Make absolutely sure your palm is not planted below the grade OR settling down below grade over time in your heavy wet soil 

Zone 6b maritime climate

NEOhioPalmFanatic24 Apprentice

NEOhioPalmFanatic24

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Would I be able to amend my soil with anything? I think this is where I struggle the most with watering due to heavy clay soil. Could I add a soil conditioner such as happy frog soil conditioner to my hole? I know Trachy like clay soil but mine seems to be extra clay. Anything that can help. Also, do you recommend a watering probe to see how wet soil is? Thank you all for your patience! I really want to succeed.

Allen Grand Master

Allen

Posted
Posted
11 hours ago, NEOhioPalmFanatic24 said:

Would I be able to amend my soil with anything? I think this is where I struggle the most with watering due to heavy clay soil. Could I add a soil conditioner such as happy frog soil conditioner to my hole? I know Trachy like clay soil but mine seems to be extra clay. Anything that can help. Also, do you recommend a watering probe to see how wet soil is? Thank you all for your patience! I really want to succeed.

Make sure you push the dirt down around the palm well and don't leave air pockets

  • Like 1

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@tntropics - 60+ In-ground 7B palms - (Sabal) minor (15+, 3 dwarf),  brazoria (1) , birmingham (3), louisiana (4), palmetto (2),  (Trachycarpus) fortunei (15+), wagnerianus (2+),  Rhapidophyllum hystrix (7),  Blue Butia odorata (1), Serenoa repens (1) +Tons of tropical plants.  Recent Yearly Lows 4F, -6F, -1F, 12F, 11F, 18F, 16F, 3F, 3F, 6F, 3F, 1F, 16F, 17F, 6F, 8F

 

Leelanau Palms Mentor

Leelanau Palms

Posted
Posted

I don't think water probes are reliable enough. The mulch will help to condition the soil.

Zone 6b maritime climate

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