I just joined yesterday and had no plans on posting so soon with so much information on this site, however, I haven't been able to find the specific information I'm looking for. I just purchased 12 Pygmy Date Palm seedlings that are 4-8 inches tall. I have gotten a lot of information on the internet on how to grow these palms. I have one in my yard that is doing quite well. I also have 4 others that have died. Anyway, what I wondered, how do I plant these seedlings? Do I treat them the same as I would if I were planting a palm that I brought home from Home Depot? Can I plant two in one pot to get a double trunk tree? I live in Tampa, FL. The one that is doing well is in the middle of the yard, and gets a ton of sun, and a lot of water (this area even will flood when we get a heavy rain). I bought it at Home Depot, and originally planted it in a pot using potting mix and palm fertilizer, then transplanted it to the yard about a year or so later.
Any help would be much appreciated. If I get even ONE of these seedlings to grow, I'll be thrilled!
Thanks!!
Planting Pygmy Date Palm seedlings
Try not to disturb the roots when you transplant them, that's about all I know, lol. The seedlings come up under my mature trees all the time.
Usually pretty hardy seedlings... just don't let the roots dry out too much. Can be planted in just about any soil, but don't over fertilize while so young. Can plant as many in one pot as will fit, though eventually may regret that.
Thanks very much. I was thinking of planting only two in one pot, so that may be alright. My biggest question is light. Do I put them in full sun, or do they need some shade because they are young? I did read somewhere that putting them on a north wall is best because they need partial shade. I've read my share of conflicting information, though.
Thanks again for the helpful info!
How many do you want Doris? I haven't pulled them up yet because I thought someone might want them. I also have Queen Palm and Washingtonia seedlings and unknown palm seedlings(could be sable palm) that came up under the martin house. Oh yeah, some sago palms, just a few of those.
I'll be home this weekend, or if you tell me what day you want to visit, I'll tell them at work that I'm busy and they'd better not schedule me. After that last moldy, nasty house I had to go in, I need a vacation, lol.
Thank you!!
This weekend I'm going to the Texas Hill Country Plant Swap in Llano http://groups.msn.com/TexasHillCountryPlantSwap , but tomorrow or the following Thursday or Friday would work for me.
What do I need to bring with me - 4' pots, garbage bags, soil, plants from my garden as a 'Thank you',.....?
Q - What are you doing in moldy, nasty houses?
I didn't check DG last night! I was home most of the day, just now got to work. I don't think I'm busy tomorrow, and if I am, it's only a few hours that I have to go to the Island. Let me know which day next week and I'll take off. I have dirt and we can use Solo cups unless you want to bring little pots.
I was in a moldy nasty house doing an appraisal! It wasn't as bad as the one I went in that they had used the floors for bathrooms and had major flea infestation(I walked out of that one and wouldn't go back).
I can't think of anything I need but if you have any salvias you don't want, I love salvia. I'm excited too! I watered the area where the palms are and will water it again before Thursday so we can dig them easily.
Hmmmmmm. decisions decisions.........you pick, lol.
Anyway... back to the question about sun: probably best NOT to put little dinky seedlngs in full sun... but chances are they would survive it, though. These are pretty durable and seem to grow well in shade and sun... lots of water, or little water. Lots of fertilizer or little fertilizer (unless in pots.. then always little fertilizer).
I put them in pots yesterday with Miracle Gro, and read that you shouldn't fertilize them for at least 2-3 months. I put them against the north wall of my house, and will have partial shade there.
I have heard and read that Pygmy Date palms require full sun, and a lot of water and thought that was the reason I lost the ones I had on my pool deck - they did get a lot of sun there, not full sun. I think there were other problems with them, though. Hearing that these seedlings are hardier than I thought makes me feel a little better.
These will eventually be planted in the yard. Following up with dstartz question, though; I wondered what size they need to be before I can plant them in the yard? in full sun?
As soon as established in a pot, can go in full sun, but recommend do this in fall or winter.
Thanks. I'll be very happy if they're ready to plant by the fall.