Pygmy Date, Christmas, and Majesty Palms

[Phil413]

Hi,

I really don't know much about plants or trees but I love palm trees.  I recently bought a christmas palm, majesty palm, and pygmy date palm put them all in large pots.  I have read some conflicting information about whether or not to keep them on the back porch since it's spring.  I live in Oklahoma and it's been in the 90s lately, which is a bit unusual for this time of year.  I really wanted to keep them in the house but some of what I read suggests they (don't remember which one) may go somewhat dormant.  Should they be kept indoors or outdoors?  If indoors, I have a room to keep them in and a window where they can get sun.  They can also be placed in there with less sun.  

Also, I know the majesty palm needs moisture where the pygmy date and christmas palms can be more drought tolerant.  I guess I'm just looking for overall advice on these three types of palms.  I appreciate your help.

Thanks!

[PalmX]

56 minutes ago, Phil413 said:

Hi,

I really don't know much about plants or trees but I love palm trees.  I recently bought a christmas palm, majesty palm, and pygmy date palm put them all in large pots.  I have read some conflicting information about whether or not to keep them on the back porch since it's spring.  I live in Oklahoma and it's been in the 90s lately, which is a bit unusual for this time of year.  I really wanted to keep them in the house but some of what I read suggests they (don't remember which one) may go somewhat dormant.  Should they be kept indoors or outdoors?  If indoors, I have a room to keep them in and a window where they can get sun.  They can also be placed in there with less sun.  

Also, I know the majesty palm needs moisture where the pygmy date and christmas palms can be more drought tolerant.  I guess I'm just looking for overall advice on these three types of palms.  I appreciate your help.

Thanks!

That's a gamut of palms with a wide variety of care needs. 

I would place them outside for spring into early fall. Pull them in when temperatures near 45-50 Fahrenheit at night.

The pygmy date palm wold do best of the three if you had to leave one inside all year.  

[Allen]

13 hours ago, PalmX said:

That's a gamut of palms with a wide variety of care needs. 

I would place them outside for spring into early fall. Pull them in when temperatures near 45-50 Fahrenheit at night.

The pygmy date palm wold do best of the three if you had to leave one inside all year.  

what he said and add acclimate them to full sun over a couple of weeks or more or they may have sun damage.  or put in filtered shade. 

[PalmatierMeg]

Photos? You have to beware of putting small(er) palms in large pots. Palms don't like to be overpotted. Also, make sure the potting mix is coarse and loose and drains well. Don't let the pots sit in trays of water. And, of course, the pots you choose should have adequate drain holes. Many plant newbies choose non-draining fancy pots and their plants die of root rot.

[Funkthulhu]

I agree with the above, watch your pot size.  Look around on the site for others posting their Container Ranch to see some palm size/pot size ratios.  I have a few uncommon seedlings that I have over-potted because they're persnickety about their roots being disturbed.  In hindsight I should have just used smaller pots and risked the damage when repotted, because they're really struggling.

Use a Succulent or Palm specific potting soil if you don't mix your own, you really do want a well draining soil.  That Miracle Grow potting soil that has the baby diaper powder that absorbs and releases water over time are just horrible for Root Rot.  

That said, Majesty Palms (Ravenea rivularis) are water hogs, you can't hardly drown them.  They'll acclimate to full sun within a month and start throwing spears.  I'll often have one opening, one pushing hard, and a third visible on the way.  There is some discussion about whether Majestys are indoor palms (they're not really, they get huge fast), but I have found them to be big beautiful mostly bullet-proof palms that you can enjoy for a few years before they hit the ceiling.  

My Xmas palm is a whiny bastard.  It needs repotted into different soil. (I didn't follow my own advice)  And it's often exhibiting symptoms of over-watering.  But, the new house has huge East windows (Mid-Century floor-to-ceiling) and the additional Sun every morning has definitely improved its demeanor. 

As for the Pygmy Date Palm, he's boss.  Big pot, on rollers, 2 feet of trunk now, and goes outside as soon as the overnight lows are consistently over 40F (Nebraska winters suck).  Again, acclimates to sun quickly, get watered weekly (for me) but fully drained.  Try not to let sit in water if you have a saucer under the pot.  

It's odd that you've picked the three palms I have the most experience with,  I think with a bit of smart initial care followed by a bit of loving indifference you'll be very happy with the results.

 

(Edit) Your palms are never going to look as good as people growing in the ground in Florida, California, or Hawaii  But you can keep them looking healthy!  They just won't be the paragon of perfect green with no blemishes or bigger than a house.

Edited June 11, 2020 by Funkthulhu

[WattsZ]

hello @Phil413I live in Oklahoma as well (OKC) and we have several winmills, washy robusta, and a sabal planted. I have thought about getting an adonidia merrili (christmas tree palm) but havent ever seen one for sale around here. I usually go to a place in DFW to get my palms. Where did you pick yours up if you don't mind?

Edited July 27, 2020 by WattsZ