Pygmy Date Pot Size

[RyanJ]

Hey all, we recently bought a pot that has an 18" opening on top, and is about 21" wide in the middle since it has a curved outward shape. We bought a Pygmy Date that came in a 10" temporary planter and was wondering if our pot is way too big for this size. We could repot this in our 14" pot and buy a new pygmy that comes in a 17" planter if that's better, was just curious if there is any hope for this plant in our large pot. We did fill the pot about 1/3 with plastic bottles, then potting fabric, so it is well ventilated and has a draining hole in the bottom.

Thanks!

[PalmatierMeg]

Photos? From what you say your pot is too large for your palm. But let us see them to decide.

[Steve Mac]

Ryan, if your pot is 18"  at the top and 21" in the middle, that is a horrible shape to try to get the palm out of the pot later when it has fulled the fat middle with roots.

I would not use a pot again that is not widest at the top, for ease of removal later.

[Funkthulhu]

10 hours ago, gtsteve said:

Ryan, if your pot is 18"  at the top and 21" in the middle, that is a horrible shape to try to get the palm out of the pot later when it has fulled the fat middle with roots.

I would not use a pot again that is not widest at the top, for ease of removal later.

Alternatively, the pot with the wide middle can be your show pot, but have a straight or tapered side pot you can slide easily into it.  If you plant directly into a bulbous pot you're going to need a hammer when it comes time to re-pot.  

And you will need to re-pot.  My pygmy date has almost 2 feet of trunk and it is in a 25 gallon pot on casters.  I'm hopeful it will be happy there for a couple more years, but I won't be surprised if I have to upgrade again later.

[PalmX]

7 hours ago, Funkthulhu said:

Alternatively, the pot with the wide middle can be your show pot, but have a straight or tapered side pot you can slide easily into it.  If you plant directly into a bulbous pot you're going to need a hammer when it comes time to re-pot.  

And you will need to re-pot.  My pygmy date has almost 2 feet of trunk and it is in a 25 gallon pot on casters.  I'm hopeful it will be happy there for a couple more years, but I won't be surprised if I have to upgrade again later.

Got a pic of that bad boy? =]

 

[RyanJ]

Thanks for the replies so far, here is a picture to better see the situation.

[RyanJ]

Also, here is an unused 14" pot I have that I could put this palm inside instead if it is better

[Allen]

The pot it's in is fine.  You can get 2-3 years out of that pot.  Yes it will be a bit of trouble to get out of the pot it's in but it can be done or you can take a hammer to the pot.  

[Steve Mac]

Mmmmm, 

Ryan, do yourself a favour and put it in the black pot now, or as Funk said put it in another straight or tapered sided pot inside the lovely Greek urn. 

[PalmX]

On 5/19/2020 at 7:43 PM, RyanJ said:

Hey all, we recently bought a pot that has an 18" opening on top, and is about 21" wide in the middle since it has a curved outward shape. We bought a Pygmy Date that came in a 10" temporary planter and was wondering if our pot is way too big for this size. We could repot this in our 14" pot and buy a new pygmy that comes in a 17" planter if that's better, was just curious if there is any hope for this plant in our large pot. We did fill the pot about 1/3 with plastic bottles, then potting fabric, so it is well ventilated and has a draining hole in the bottom.

Thanks!

Ryan, I'd recommend purchasing a cheap nursery pot that is 2 inches wider in diameter than the current nursery pot it's in. This upgrade will allow ample room for growth and proper watering, Anything larger will allow water to flow to the sides and sit away from the roots. When it becomes root bound, simply cut off the old nursery pot and upgrade 2 inches again.

The nursery pot method makes it easy to swap in and out of expensive pots as often as you like. Use foam chunks or something comparable to raise the nursery pot up inside the decorative pot.

Edited May 21, 2020 by PalmX

[Funkthulhu]

18 hours ago, PalmX said:

Got a pic of that bad boy? =]

 

It just went outside a month ago, so it's still adjusting for the season.

[Pal Meir]

Here some impressions from my Ph roebelenii; (1) in a round pot:

(2) in a cube:

(3) in a pot much too small:

[RyanJ]

We decided to put it in a cheaper proper sized pot and will place it inside the larger pot... Does anyone have any suggestions on what to fill the larger pot with so the smaller one can rest inside in it?

[Funkthulhu]

If you need spacers on the bottom, just cut the ends off both sides of a can (or several) to build a platform.  Tuna cans work well if you just need a little lift.  Otherwise, something non-wicking and non-rotting for the sides.  Rolled chicken wire, or anything else with a little structure to it will work to keep the inner pot centered.  Really it depends on how much space you need to fill.  Necessity is the Mother of Invention.