Dypsis decipiens in pots

[ghar41]

These are difficult in pots. Let's share some ideas and see if we can get better results.

Potting up- Over the years Ive tried some different things in potting these up. In my experience, they just do not tolerate overpotting to any degree. These two plants were potted up from one gallon pots into these two gallon pots two or three years ago. The roots are visible in the drainage holes and I'd like to pot up...but to what? Five gallon?

Watering. Watering this plant in pots is almost like putting them through mild torture. When I water other pots around them, I just kind of skip these a couple times then water them on the third go around. More has been risky, they'll croak if Im not careful. Any water regiments that are working well?

Soil- Ive used my standard palm mix to best success. Is there anything else that is being used out there?

Fertilizing- Anyone having good results in this area?

I have seen some really nice 15 gallon plants, so someone is getting it done. I have many in the ground and want some potted specimens.

[ghar41]

A couple of two gallon plants

[The Silent Seed]

Why the concern ? Why wouldn't they do well ? Being in the North, every single plant is potted, and I have not experienced any trouble from a plant being potted. The problems are always something related to temperature, water, or light. So, I'm curious what the "problem" is with pots ?

[peachy]

Maybe I shouldnt have read this thread. I bought a decipiens a couple of years ago in a 30 cm pot, with some of the roots beginning to show through the drain holes, so I potted it up to a big ceramic tub 60cm across. Its in a high grade commercial potting mix, with slow release fertiliser and gets a bit of liquid fertilisers when I think of it. Watered nearly every day in summer and when I remember to do it in winter. I have it beside the house in permanent shade but bright light. Seems that I could be doing everything wrong but so far it has thrived and grows steadily. Its about 50 cm high now and a metre across. Thats my experience with them !!

Peachy

ps It also survived sitting under 2 metres of cold water for 3 days back in January with no side effects.

Edited July 11, 2011 by peachy

[trioderob]

[ghar41]

Exactly!

[MattyB]

I think the problem you're experiecing with 'overpotting' is a moisture problem. A small pot has less soil and therefore dries out faster, which Dypsis decipiens appreciates.

I won't pot Dypsis decipiens in a regular potting mix without heavily ammending it with perlite. I'm sure scoria, pumice, orchid bark, or whatever you can do to open up the mix and make it drain better will work good too.

I had luck growing a Dypsis decipiens in a terra cota pot once. It was only a small liner when I planted it in the approximately 5 gallon vase shaped terra cotta pot. It thrived in a light mix and I'm sure the terra cotta helped wick away moisture as well. I grew it for several years and when I finally planted it I just set the pot in the hole and cracked it up with a hammer. See 2006 photo and 2011 photo of same palm.

[mike in kurtistown]

I have three D. decipiens that I got as very small seedlings, from a flat. They have grown well in a shadehouse in Hawaii where they get 150 inches of rain a year, in potting soil that has large percentages of Canadian peat, wood products, and some Perlite, and are now underpotted in 2-gal pots. Ambient temperatures 65 deg F to 80 deg F normally, with occasional fluctuations of 5 deg F outside of that range. There is a magnificent specimen locally at the Paneawa Zoo.

In Florida, I had problems with underpotting. The plants develop their root masses at the bottoms of the pots, then don't get adequate nutrients or moisture. Remember, ALL palms are water lovers.

[trioderob]

I will say thsi for the last time

DD love kelp extract - they turn a deep green and grow much faster

put about 2 oz of kelp extract into a bucket and mix well.

then flood the DD with this mix

[trioderob]

I will say thsi for the last time

DD love kelp extract - they turn a deep green and grow much faster

put about 2 oz of kelp extract into a bucket and mix well.

then flood the DD with this mix

[paulgila]

i believe you meant "2 more times"

[trioderob]

i believe you meant "2 more times"

LOL

[MattyB]

that was pretty funny

[trioderob]

anyway at least try the kelp with the DD

so whats funny is there seems to be no pattern with the DD

some make it in clay some die

some like sand others hate sand

some like to be in a pot others die if they stay in pots

some like alot of water others die if they get water

wtf ????

Edited July 11, 2011 by trioderob

[Patrick]

WTF is right. I just checked on some of mine that I got 6 months ago from Perry. They started out in the small "band" treepots, I've moved them up to the 1 gallon treepot size. I checked them today, and a couple of them have about 1/2" of roots sticking out the bottom. I repotted them maybe 4 months ago.

I used that Kellogs outdoor potting soil from the big blue box store amended, just like MattyB was saying, with pearlite. So far so good.

I have killed quite a few of these in the past from too heavy a mix, even though it was mostly sand and was well draining. I guess once it's in the ground it's kind of a different ballgame.

Dry and light and tight seems to be the way to go.

Thanks Rob for the tip on the Kelp extract.