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palm_shade

New Dypsis lutescens repot advise

Palm_shade
10 years ago

Hi

I've just brought a new Dypsis lutescens but not sure to repot ,change medium pot up etc.

The potting mix is naturally peat based and has compacted a fair amount.
I have a fresh batch of 5-1-1 I've meticulously made, should I risk damaging the palm by trying to remove as much old soil as possible and replacing with new bark based? Then would I go up a pot size? The same pot it's in is preferable but not essential as the palms Heath is.

I've found in the past when I've gone ahead and repotted Dypsis lutescens in 5-1-1, as carful as I may be I still end up with the loss of a few fronds and only about 50% of old soils removed. I feel that this palm will have a larger route system than previous ive worked on so would probably be more challenging and risky.

It's quite confusing really as the palm is in hard peat based soil but is extremely healthy and in tip top condition.
If I leave it is it likely to decline as the soil breaks down over time? should I simply pot up with a similar potting mix?

Thanks.

Comments (2)

  • lzrddr
    10 years ago

    probably root bound at that size, which is OK for a while, but will be hard to keep it moist enough eventually. I would take it out of that pot and put it in the next size up, with a good palm/cactus soil around it (maybe mixed half and half with Miracle Gro soil). Can't really tell if that is a 1 gal or a 2 gal... not a 5 gal, but going up to a 5 gal would be a good idea. Likely it will just slip out of that pot, and tall the soil/roots will stay in one solid pot-shaped clump... probably won't lose a bit of dirt.

    Do NOT move the roots around and try to spread them apart, or you palm will definitely resent that! You CAN, and maybe remove a few suckers, but likely morbidity or mortality of some parts will follow.

  • Palm_shade
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    I will leave the roots well alone, I'm pretty sure it's a 10" pot, do you recommend using a much larger pot or a pot up?

    Out of curiosity what is the purpose of using cactus/palm mix with miracle gro? I'm not familiar with ingredients in cactus/palm nore have used mg but I'm interested in it, I would like to find a good mix for palms to use as an alternative to bark.

    Thanks a lot :)