Windmill Palm - Advice Needed!

[SallySC]

Hello, and thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

I'm in zone 8a, upstate SC. I lucked out this summer and was able to rescue a large windmill palm that was in a 15 gallon pot. I planted it about 6 weeks ago, and it appears to be healthy, but the palm is very top heavy. I've had to stake it to keep it from extreme "drooping" .  The frond are so heavy and thick, the coir is detaching and they are falling down and touching the ground.  I tried wrapping the top fronds with muslin to mimic the coir with little effect.  I cut off a few brown fronds, but have left all the rest.  This is my first palm, and I'd appreciate any wisdom to keep it happy and healthy!

Edited October 22 by SallySC
Corrected Zone to 8a

[Fusca]

1 hour ago, SallySC said:

Hello, and thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

I'm in zone 8a, upstate SC. I lucked out this summer and was able to rescue a large windmill palm that was in a 15 gallon pot. I planted it about 6 weeks ago, and it appears to be healthy, but the palm is very top heavy. I've had to stake it to keep it from extreme "drooping" . 

When you say "rescued" does that mean the palm was dug out of the ground and put in a 15-gal sized container or was it purchased marked down from a nursery in the same container for too long?  To me it looks like it was dug out of the ground and it's trying to recover from a small rootball.  Either way it appears to have less roots than it needs to remain stable.  Field dug palms need frequent watering (daily) especially in summer.  Windmills like plenty of water to look good anyway.  Your sun isn't as strong as what I have here but even in the upstate I would give it some shade.  I would also give it some B1 root stimulator also to help it get established.  Keeping it staked is a good idea to help it get some roots going.  Good luck with it.  😊

[Las Palmas Norte]

Looks shade grown to get petioles that long. It'll be a couple of years to adjust to it's new surroundings. May need some winter protection if the weather turns nasty while it acclimatizes.

[jwitt]

A palm that size probably would have roots extending out 6 feet or more 

That said, it will take some time to regrow the needed root structure(2-3 years). Growth will be slow until that happens. 

Keep it moist like an irrigated lawn, if it is in a dry area of the yard(looks dry).  If it was planted from a pot, the rootball is too small to support the palm as the protection of the pot is gone( to hold moisture in).  If field dug, the roots are too small, if they fit in a 15 gallon pot. 

In the end, deep consistent watering will be key. Might be mid to late spring before you see good growth. 

[Harry’s Palms]

I think it needs more water and time . Unfortunately we are heading into winter and it is compromised so protection may be needed the first winter if it gets too cold. Harry

[SallySC]

Thank you @Fusca, @Las Palmas Norte, @jwitt, and @Harry’s Palms! The palm was in the pot in a very shaded and overgrown back yard of an old home that was about to be demolished.  It was quite rootbound, and I was very careful when planting. I've been keeping it watered, usually every other day, but will go to daily watering moving forward. I purchased a bag of palm fertilizer - will that suffice or does it need something different? 

I've also wrapped the trunk in burlap (which really helped with the heavy petioles) and will apply mulch for the winter.  Fingers crossed it will make it. 

I appreciate your sharing your expertise..

[Fusca]

28 minutes ago, SallySC said:

I purchased a bag of palm fertilizer - will that suffice or does it need something different?

Yes, you'll definitely want to use a palm specific fertilizer but better to wait until spring to apply it.  It's not a good idea to fertilize a newly planted palm (less than 4 months) as it tries to get roots going to get established.  Plus it's kinda late in the season for applying fertilizer anyway.  The palm fertilizer should contain micronutrients such as magnesium and manganese along with the typical N-P-K.

[jwitt]

@SallySC

Like @Fusca said, I would also hold off on any fertilizer until spring. 

Let it settle in and grow roots over winter.  I bet you have a nice looking palm this time next year.  Give it time, and possible protection if lows are forecast in the low teens or lower.