Windmill palm closing up?

[Asa]

Hey! New here to the palm talk. I just recently bought two windmill palms about 2 months ago. One is about 3 feet tall and the other about 2. I potted them on my porch in a 15-20 gallon pot each. I then made a soil out of peat moss, sand, decaying leafs, and potting soil. The bigger one is doing pretty well shooting out a new frond. The smaller one however is closing up a bit. I did recently pot it in a bigger pot and made the mistake of using old mulch and realized there were bugs including ants, centipedes and possibles other bugs. What should I do? I live in zone 7a Tennessee and it’s under some sun shades on my patio.

[RFun]

8 minutes ago, Asa said:

Hey! New here to the palm talk. I just recently bought two windmill palms about 2 months ago. One is about 3 feet tall and the other about 2. I potted them on my porch in a 15-20 gallon pot each. I then made a soil out of peat moss, sand, decaying leafs, and potting soil. The bigger one is doing pretty well shooting out a new frond. The smaller one however is closing up a bit. I did recently pot it in a bigger pot and made the mistake of using old mulch and realized there were bugs including ants, centipedes and possibles other bugs. What should I do? I live in zone 7a Tennessee and it’s under some sun shades on my patio.

I would repot those palms by shaking off the old dirt and using fresh dirt.  Or just get them out of those pots/free of that dirt and plant into the ground there.  If you're in the Chattanooga area and don't live in one of the colder microclimates in the area, those palms should be fine in the ground there. 

[SeanK]

It's early enough to plant in the ground in Chatt. Don't wait much longer. Avoid afternoon sun.

[PalmatierMeg]

They would be happier in the ground. The black pot is way too large for the little palm. The white pot is marginal at best. Now is the time to plant them so they can settle in before winter. 

[Asa]

4 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

They would be happier in the ground. The black pot is way too large for the little palm. The white pot is marginal at best. Now is the time to plant them so they can settle in before winter. 

Thanks for all of the help guys!! Just planted them today this area receives partial shade in the morning. I’ve had these exact palms that were about 6-7 feet tall in my front yard about 8 years ago. They were doing perfect for about 4years but then one year I thought they would be fine without the winter proofing (winter wrap) and they died when it got into the negatives for a couple days. I’d there anything I can do to avoid having to winterize them every winter? Also I have somewhat of a clayish soil. I dug around a 3’ by 2’ deep hole and filled with decaying sticks, soil, wood chips and some avocado and citrus plant food made from chicken manure. Anyway would it be a good idea to use a drip irrigation line?

[RFun]

23 hours ago, SeanK said:

It's early enough to plant in the ground in Chatt. Don't wait much longer. Avoid afternoon sun.

As long as he's not in one of those colder microclimates in the Chattanooga area (i.e., Lookout Mountain elevated areas, etc.).

[RFun]

5 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

They would be happier in the ground. The black pot is way too large for the little palm. The white pot is marginal at best. Now is the time to plant them so they can settle in before winter. 

They would be happier in the ground, in all likelihood.