Potted windmill question...

[sashaeffer]

One of the two big (5-6 foot) Windmills I have I had planted...pot and all in the ground, and decided with bad weather coming to pull up and put in garage with the other windmills I have. Pot is a 15 gallon..I think, and when we pulled it out of the hole I noticed that the bottom of the pot was bulged out, and roots had been trying to creep out drain holes at the bottom.

My question is, can these tolerate being pot bound like some palms can, or do I need to make other plans for in the spring?. I LOVE where this palm in particular was situated and would love to plant it in the ground since it seems to really like it there by the pond and all, but it would be a challenge to come up with a way to over winter it there vs where I have other windmills planted outside.

In pic palm in the ground few days ago, and garage pic where it will be kept with rest I have.

[lucky1]

My old Trachy lived in a big garbage can for 30+ years (yup, it did!), now planted out with its own heated palm hut.
So, yes to your Q.
But pot-bound palms run out of soil eventually, requiring more frequent watering and very careful fertilization.

Looks good by that pond.
I'd plant it there, and build protection for each winter.
You could build really nice-looking protection so that it doesn't offend you/neighbors visually.

Barb

[sashaeffer]

Barb,

Funny how a plant outside suddenly looks HUGE inside..even in the garage. Leaving in pot for a few years may not be an option.

Not enough room to construct a "hut" where that palm was at, as it couldn't be a square, but a triangle because of where concrete and pond edge is. Thinking now my do away with that pond, plant Windmill more in the center where I can build something for winter protection and strong enough to hold up from the direct north winds and then have a pond-less water feature instead. I still have two other ponds in the back yard I built.

Both big palms were bought at same time and were same size. One planted by the pond is noticeably bigger and bushier than other one even though both were in pots now so must have really liked it there, or liked being sunk in the ground.


One other question if you don't mind. I read a lot about spider mites, mealy bug and scale. So far.....I don't have any that I can tell and I've read about how to get rid of them all, but I would rather prevent it from happening to begin with. Any tips on how to prevent all 3?

Scott

[oppalm]

Agree with Barb, the windmill does not seem to mind being pot bound. In terms of keeping pests away, I use a systemic granular pest control and sprinkle it in the pots/conatiners when I bring them in for winter. also spray with a water and rubbing alcohol combo mix (1:4) about once a month. and then the weekly mistings with just water. Make sure when you spray and mist you get under the leaves and spray in the crevices. I also have fans on timers in my plant rooms that are on about 8 hours a day. seems to work. now fungus gnats are another story.

[sashaeffer]

Thanks Kent, that is good to know. I've been using a few drops of dish soap and food grade hydrogen peroxide in my daily spray bottle.

I assume the systemic insecticides are found at nicer nursery's ? will have to check that out.

[lucky1]

it couldn't be a square, but a triangle because of where concrete and pond edge is.

Triangular (pyramid) protection works just as well; actually stands up better to strong winds, while shedding snow.
Getting rid of that pond would be a lot of work.

Spider mites miraculously appear in our warm dry homes during winter.
Misting daily can keep it down to a dull roar, but no guarantee.
Mist underneath the leaf in an upward direction.
In summer on the patio you can blast 'em hard with a hose/nozzle.

IMO, Mealy bug and scale are more unsightly and do more damage, tough to get rid of once you've got 'em.
Trick is to have a close-up look at plants especially in summer, as ants can bring scale (also aphids too for roses) because they've got a symbiotic relationship.

Ants "protect" the scale/aphids, etc., even removing them to their winter homes, and placing them back on your plants in spring.
Benefit = honeydew which ants love.
Half the battle is to get rid of all ants on your patio any way you can!
Boric acid powder is often used, mixed with a bit of honey, placed in a mayonnaise lid on ground where kids/pets can't get near it.
Ants take it back to their nest and whammo, the whole tribe is dead.

Despite hating chemicals, they're often necessary.
This year, before plants came in, John gave me some Dimethoate 480 (terribly stinky stuff, wear a mask when applying to soil in watering can).

Kent's right...fungus gnats are brutal.
I top-dress all my palms with an inch of sand because the top of sand dries quickly.
Results mediocre at best.
Moist soil seems to really attract fungus gnats, apparently their offspring feed on tender plant roots.

The trend in pesticides (these days) is no more small containers at the retail level.
Maybe mom+pop stores would still have smaller containers.
When I tried to get some Dimethoate 480 (before John's generous offer), heard they only have the large container size and it's $300.

When I buy a new plant, I always plan to quarantine it in case bugs are in the soil or on leaves.
But I usually forget.
Presto, bugs.

Barb

[sashaeffer]

Great Info Barb! You had mentioned sand to me once before and I went out and bought a couple of bags and have top dressed the bigger pots so far that have a lot of surface area of dirt. Looks better now too!

I think all my palms/tropicals I've used organic soil or palm/cactus soil but then read somewhere that bugs LIKE organic soil vs regular potting soil. I know not to use regular potting soil unless mixed with sand or vermiculite.

Sometimes its frustrating to try and do the right thing, always seems to be more "cons" than "pros" sometime.

[Okanagan desert-palms]

Scott thanks for the pics. The palms look really good. Palms in containers will over time stagnate without being potted up. I had a couple of large Trachys in 24" boxes for three years and the fronds started growing smaller and slower. I sold them this year and the guy planted them with great results. I hope they make it through the winter for him.



John

[sashaeffer]

John,

When I bought these they were in the original Monrovia pots, and I bought larger plastic pots from the nursery to transplant them into. When they get this size transplanting gets to be much harder, so don't want to do it more than one more time.

At least I have a few months of winter to figure it out!