Butia Palm advice/help!

[Jamesf1986]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post as I am new to palms and I want to do my best by my new tree.

My partner has just bought me a large double trunk Butia Capitata palm, and I want to know how to give it the best chance I can in our garden.

If at all possible it like to keep it in a container for now as We might be moving house in a year or two and I don’t want to leave it behind by planting in the ground. It is still in its black plastic pot but will it do ok in a new large container? 
 

Secondly, many of the fronds have black/brown patches all over them. If this a cause for concern and if so how can I resolve the issue? 
 

Any advice would be very welcome! Thanks.

James

 

[DreaminAboutPalms]

On 6/27/2021 at 7:07 AM, Jamesf1986 said:

Hi everyone,

This is my first post as I am new to palms and I want to do my best by my new tree.

My partner has just bought me a large double trunk Butia Capitata palm, and I want to know how to give it the best chance I can in our garden.

If at all possible it like to keep it in a container for now as We might be moving house in a year or two and I don’t want to leave it behind by planting in the ground. It is still in its black plastic pot but will it do ok in a new large container? 
 

Secondly, many of the fronds have black/brown patches all over them. If this a cause for concern and if so how can I resolve the issue? 
 

Any advice would be very welcome! Thanks.

James

 

I would plant it. Butia’s are relatively easy to transport, and especially with a double trunked one it needs way more nutrients to grow and will do way better in ground 

[Scott W]

I would definitely repot it to a larger pot to at the least give it some growing room.

I've seen some pretty good sized Butia in pots before and also have this hybrid that's been in the current pot for a while now and is doing just fine.  Mind you I've finally determined a spot for it in my yard...

[Palmfarmer]

Dont worry. I would just get a bigger pot and put it in a sunny location. I also had some black spots when i first got my Butia. I am pretty sure it is normal. Dont worry, just keep an eye on it. They should go away as you get new fronds.

[Merlyn]

Butia can live fine in pots for years, but a slightly bigger pot would be a good idea if you plan to keep it potted for another 1-2 years.  Maybe find a pot that is about 6" larger diameter?  Some sort of standard sizes are 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 gallons and bigger.  Butia are also easy to transplant, so if you wanted to plant it and move it in 2 years it wouldn't be a big deal.

Regarding care and keeping it long-term, it depends on where you live.  Butia generally want full sun and prefer slightly drier soil.  If you aren't "zone pushing" or putting it in a swampy area then it is generally a tough palm.  In the PNW it may take some extra precautions, but if you are in a zone 9a or higher it should be an easy grow.