PalmsNorth.com

Because I'm not planting into the ground, the process looks a bit dumb, but after reading this: http://www.raingardens.com/psst/articles/palmpot.htm will do a test on two palms of similar size and age. We've discussed that link before when planting outdoors in summer, but the technique must work indoors too.

The theory:
1. palms like to be rootbound;
2. roots will bust through drainage holes
3. palms treated in this manner grow like crazy with no sulking/transplant shock.

Following pic is two foxtails about same size/age from tip to root: the one at right recently transplanted normal manner into a larger pot.
Its new spear isn't opening...going into a sulk from transplant shock?
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/548 ... 321486.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC04514" />

Next pic shows the "bust through drainhole up-potting method"...like I said, it looks dumb...
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/548 ... ccb24f.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC04515" />

The reason I believe the raingardens link above is because this Sabal mexicana repotted normal manner into larger pot, grew one leaf and sulks ever since.
Sulker:
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/548 ... abd49b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC04516" />

But the (shown at left below) Sabal riverside, whose roots are already coming out and into the new pot's soil beneath, seems to be taking off:
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/548 ... e2fd3c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC04513" />

Did the same "bust through up-potting technique" with the Cocos nucifera shown at right in the pic.

Don't ask what I'm going to do with these in a few years
Maybe call it a ROOT TREE...

Barb

Barb- Have you heard of the rootmaker system? I was skeptical, but it really seems to work. Seems to follow that your idea that also prevents root disturbance will also lead to more robust plants as they don't have the set back of root damage due to transplant (as long as the plastic from the cups does not affect growth!)

P.S. I like those cups as pots, they look very much like the ones I use at home!

Rootmaker? I read the raingardens link and he basically confirmed what you're saying. Not my idea though.

Some notable folks are quoted in that link, doing a test between two similar sized palms, albeit in the ground.
The rootbound potted palm took off in leaps and bounds versus the planted (unpotted) one.

Those 7/11 slurpy cups are great, tall and narrow, perfect for palms.
They won't sell me more cups...darn!
Will have to start drinking that crap in summer just to get them. Yech!

These pyramid pots-in-pots look so strange I'll have to hide them behind something else on the patio.
Or tape them together in case someone pulls them apart...

Barb