Areca potting soil mistake, Root Shock! Can I Re- Re- Pot this poor plant, in order to change the soil?

[julie_withaRaveneaRivlaris]

Ok, so I messed up.  Transplanted my Areca today, in the correct size pot, big drainage holes, but put it in straight dry potting soil, Miracle Grow that had sat and dried for a year. Now, Fernando - my palms name- is in Root Shock?!? Browning tips, getting droopier..it was quite root bound when I transferred it to new pot, I did barely anything to the roots, pulled off a couple dead root tips... thinking the less I mess with it the less can be messed up. I retained the original growth medium, it was WET,  put Fernando in dry potting soil, and only slightly watered, because the roots and the medium they came with were so damp already. Things are not good. Tips of leaves Browning, droopier, even after watering it more. Question: do I pull the freshly re-potted plant to change the soil to a more airier, sandy, pearlite mix?? Can I Re- Re- Pot a plant in Shock? I don't have the original Miracle Grow bag to know what fertilizers came pre-mixed in. Should I use this bag of sandy fertilizer, growing medium? I cannot read the label, it's worn off. I've gotten attached to the attractive Fernando, and he has a little spike that WAS growing...his name is Spike. Any and All Help will be So Greatly Appreciated, for Fernando and Baby Spike. 

[PalmsandLiszt]

Hello,

your palm looks to me like a Ravenea rivularis, not C. lutescens or anything from the genus Areca. As the name suggests, this species needs a lot of water and will not appreciate having its roots suddenly surrounded by dry soil, which is probably the cause of the shock. They also need warmth and good light. It appears to be in a rather dark room.

I also think your pot is a bit too big, and miracle grow is a horrible medium for palms unless very heavily amended with chunky things like bark/coir chips, perlite, leca, pumice etc. to improve drainage and aeration. I'd put it in a pot no more than an inch and a half bigger around the sides and back-fill with such a mix that is very fast-draining but also decently water-retentive. Fine pine bark is one of the most useful components you can buy for keeping palms like this indoors.
Don't worry about fertilizer until you've sorted out the water-in/water-out balance and the roots are happy.

[SeanK]

57 minutes ago, PalmsandLiszt said:

Hello,

your palm looks to me like a Ravenea rivularis, not C. lutescens or anything from the genus Areca. As the name suggests, this species needs a lot of water and will not appreciate having its roots suddenly surrounded by dry soil, which is probably the cause of the shock. They also need warmth and good light. It appears to be in a rather dark room.

I also think your pot is a bit too big, and miracle grow is a horrible medium for palms unless very heavily amended with chunky things like bark/coir chips, perlite, leca, pumice etc. to improve drainage and aeration. I'd put it in a pot no more than an inch and a half bigger around the sides and back-fill with such a mix that is very fast-draining but also decently water-retentive. Fine pine bark is one of the most useful components you can buy for keeping palms like this indoors.
Don't worry about fertilizer until you've sorted out the water-in/water-out balance and the roots are happy.

Agree it looks like a [Majesty].  You can remix and repot of you like. Then take it outside and flood it. Be sure the pot has drainage holes.

[happypalms]

You answered your own question with miracle grow soil mix a definite no go for my personal tastes in gardening. And it sounds like overwatering or waterlogged from transplant or prior too.

[PalmatierMeg]

10 hours ago, happypalms said:

You answered your own question with miracle grow soil mix a definite no go for my personal tastes in gardening. And it sounds like overwatering or waterlogged from transplant or prior too.

Agree: no MiracleGro (it's pure dreck in rainbow colored bags). Search like @%8& for a brand that's coarse and free draining. I use Kellogg garden soil in green/white bags and mix with reconstituted coco coir and perlite.

[happypalms]

5 minutes ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Agree: no MiracleGro (it's pure dreck in rainbow colored bags). Search like @%8& for a brand that's coarse and free draining. I use Kellogg garden soil in green/white bags and mix with reconstituted coco coir and perlite.

Yes I even remember Homer Simpson throwing a beer a can at miracle gro saying miracle gro miracle smo blargh. That’s saying a lot if the simpsons get hold of it and give it a hard time. 😂 In Australia there are not many specific palm mixers, searles soil mix is about the best you buy. Unless you buy bulk specialty mix’s that cost an arm and a leg.

[julie_withaRaveneaRivlaris]

Darn! I missed that episode of the Simpsons!! Thank You to All for the Great Advices. Was really confused about what to do, Before you all came along!! I super appreciate the guidance, correct plant identification! And some humor. You guys are great.

[Bkue]

Not Areca. Majesty loves to stay wet. I will say they stunt in a pot regardless of water. 
 

I’ve seen them grow in muck here and borderline in water. They also love nutrients. Miracle grow has nothing to offer you in soil. Use compost and peat 3x the rootball and give plenty of water and sun. It will be a beautiful tree with a few feet of trunk.