Pygmy date palms in pots

[denisemac]

how often water, other tips

[Silas_Sancona]

31 minutes ago, denisemac said:

how often water, other tips

Denisemac, Welcome to the forum..

Approx. how large are the pots you were planning on planting them in?   Will easily fit / grow nicely in a container that is equivalent to a 24", but i myself might go a little bigger, if you are able to ..Say 30" eqiv. in size to give the roots plenty of room. Soil doesn't have to be anything too special as long as it drains well.

Water wise?,  to look their best, you'd want to water ( ..deep soak.. ) at least once a week. if you're planning on placing them in more sun, you'll probably water 2x's a week, at least during the summer..  Big pots will retain water for longer compared to smaller or narrower pots as well.

  Considering how hot your summers can get out there, these will look / do better in partial shade,  particularly in a spot where they are shaded in the afternoon. 

As for fertilizer, use a palm specific w/ a nutrient ratio of 8-2-12 3x's a year April -..about now. 

No fertilizer necessary during the winter ( Plants won't utilize much of it / most of any applied at that time will be washed out of the soil in the pots )  Organic is my personal recommendation vs. synthetic since when using a synthetic fertilizer, you run the risk of salt buildup in the soil over time, which can burn roots/ cause other stress issues..  Each nutrient  in a lot of synthetic fertilizer options are derived of various salts.

If you choose a synthetic fert. option, look into those which are slow release and use sparingly rather than what the full recommendation might be..   You can use that option as your " wake up " feeding in the spring,  and the " lighter ' organic fert. option(s) for the other 2 or 3 feedings the rest of the year also.

Hope this helps 

[PalmsandLiszt]

Lots of water water water. They are practically rheophytes in nature, growing on the margins of the Mekong, with their roots plumbed into it. They are the antithesis of a desert palm (despite many people thinking of Phoenix as being desert palms), and will become very miserable if treated as such. They are not adapted to dry heat, hence shade if the heat is dry. They will happily grow in full sun if it is humid.

[Silas_Sancona]

37 minutes ago, PalmsandLiszt said:

They are not adapted to dry heat, hence shade if the heat is dry

Incorrect.. 

Though they can  look fuller w/ more shade,  as long as they are hydrated, they will handle full sun here,  ..and in other hot desert areas nearby.   About time to check on all the neighborhood specimens..

Happy to repeat this factoid as many times as is necessary

[Jegs]

These are mine.

I water roughly 2 times a week during the spring and summer and early fall. 
 

I use a slow release 8-2-12 +4 fertilizer. 
Occasionally I supplement with sulpomag, very lightly being in pots. A descent coating around the top of the soil.