Repotting majesty palms is surely easy, but the first time to do it may be slightly difficult.
If you want to repot your palms for the first time, you’ll need a guide so that you do not make mistakes.
To know the best methods for repotting your palms, read this comprehensive guide till the end.
Contents
What Are the Steps to Repot Majesty Palms?
The steps to repot your majesty palms include bringing a larger pot, preparing the potting mix, placing the palms into their new pots, and thoroughly watering them afterwards. Make sure that you do not damage the roots so that your plants do not go weak after you repot them.
1. Choose a Larger Pot
You want to go for a slightly larger pot, maybe 1-2 inches wider (in diameter) than the current pot. You should not use a pot of the same size as the current one because the roots need more space for growth.
You should not use a pot that is too wide or large because such a pot will hot more water than what the plant needs.
When you get the new pot, check that it has holes below or around it through which excess water can drain out. If there are no holes, make two or three large ones below the pot.
2. Prepare a Suitable Potting Mix
A suitable potting mix or soil for majesties is well-draining and contains equal proportions of perlite, peat moss, and sand. The potting mix also needs slow-release or organic fertilizer so that you do not need to regularly fertilize your palms. When you make or buy the mix, make sure to check that it drains water quickly.
If the mix does not drain water as quickly as you can, add more perlite. However, make sure that it does not go dry too quickly so that the plant roots do not suffer from dehydration regularly. You can add extra peat moss to the mix, as peat moss helps to hold some moisture.
3. Remove Your Palms From Their Current Pots
When you have your new pot and potting mix ready, it is time to remove the palms from their current pots. You can remove them from their pot by thoroughly watering them. When you water them, the soil becomes very soft and easy to dig. You can use your hands or a trowel to carefully dig out the roots of your palm from the soil.
Be very careful with your majesty’s roots so that you do not break or damage them. Please do not pull your majesties out of their pots by their stems because you can break the stems. If you must apply pressure when removing the palms from their pots, push them from below.
4. Add Potting Mix to the New Pot
When you see that you can easily remove your majesty plants from their pots or you have successfully removed them, keep them aside for a moment and pour your new potting mix into the new pot. You want to pour at least 4-5 inches of potting mix into the soil so that your palm roots do not rest on the bare pot.
Make sure that you do not pour too much potting mix into the pot so that you can easily cover the roots of your palms. If the potting mix below is too high, your palm roots will protrude out of the substrate quickly.
5. Place the Palm Into Its New Pot
Take the palm that you have removed from its previous pot and substrate, then place it into its new pot. When you have placed it inside, add more potting mix and make sure that you cover the roots with potting mix. It would help if you could gently hit the pot or pat the potting mix so that air pockets inside can get filled.
When the roots are covered, you are almost good to go. Your majesty palm plants will soon start adjusting to their new substrate; they just need extra help from you.
6. Thoroughly Water the Majesty Palm
Watering the plant will not just help settle the potting mix and remove all the remaining air pockets; it will also help your palms adjust to their new pot quickly.
Water majesty palms in their new pot immediately after you remove them. Misting majesty palms is also a great way to water them after repotting them, especially if they look dehydrated due to the overexposure of their roots to the air.
When watering them (i.e., by watering the substrate), do not stop until you see water draining off the pot. This is when you can be sure that the entire pot is watered and there are no air pockets inside.
7. Keep the Pot in a Good Location
After repotting the plants, place them in a bright spot but not in direct sunlight. Keep them here for one or two hours so that their roots can adapt quickly and not get stressed due to the extreme temperatures. When you see that the palms now look firm and are well-adapted to their new pot, you can take them to your preferred location.
For indoor plants, make sure that you keep them in a spot where they can get full sun daily. For outdoor plants, keep them free from drafts, as they hate windy places. So long as you can get their location right, you are good to go.
How To Know That Your Majesty Palms Need Repotting?
You will know that your majesty palms need repotting when their leaves are turning brown or have brown spots, their roots are protruding, there are cracks on their pots, or their growth rate has become slower. You can also tell when you see that water drains poorly.
– You See Protruding Roots
When you see majesty palm roots showing above the substrate, you’ll know that it is time to repot the plants. Protruding roots simply imply that your palms have grown too many roots and their current pot can no longer accommodate them. This means that they now need a larger pot.
Do not wait until you see a lot of roots protruding from the substrate before you repot your palms. These exposed roots will get dehydrated and die quickly, so you need to cover them quickly.
– You See Cracks in the Pots
When growing majesty trees, you may sometimes notice that there are cracks in the pots. This means that the plant’s roots have grown larger than the pot. Instead of protruding out of the substrate, the roots push the pot. It is the pressure of the roots that causes cracks in the pot.
If you notice cracks on majesty pots, your new pot should be two or three steps larger than the current pot because the roots will quickly fill up a pot that is only one step larger than the current one. Remember to repot the plants quickly.
– You Notice a Slower Growth Rate
If your majesties are not growing as quickly as you think they should grow, it means that the nutrients present in their substrate have been depleted. However, it could also mean that the growing conditions, such as temperature and humidity, are poor.
When repotting majesties because of nutrient issues, make sure that their next substrate is nutritious. If you notice that your palms already have signs of nutrient deficiency, such as pale fronds, you can quickly fix the problem by spraying foliar fertilizer directly on the fronds.
– Water Drains Very Slowly
Water slowly draining off the pot means that the substrate is no longer suitable for your majesty. This could be because you have not changed the pot or substrate your majesties for a very long time or because you used too many organic materials in the substrate and they have degraded.
When repotting your plants because of any substrate issues, you can choose to reuse the pot. However, make sure that you amend the substrate first before you use it again. It’s better to use a new substrate so long as you can get a suitable one for your palms.
– Your Palms Have Root Rot
When your palms have root rot, you will see their leaves turning yellow or brown, their stems getting weak, and the plants generally looking weak. Root rot usually attacks plants when you overwater them. If water does not drain off the pot quickly, your palm roots will get suffocated, and fungi will start attacking them.
If you are repotting your palms due to root rot, make sure that you change their potting mix. If you must use the old one, bake it first so that you can eliminate the harmful microbes. Also, rinse the roots and prune the dead ones before covering them with new soil.
Conclusion
The palms are easy to repot, right?
Before you go repot them, remember these points:
- Do not overstress your palms by repotting them too regularly. Only repot them when you need to.
- The new pot should be just a few inches wider than the current one.
- Your majesty palm root ball needs to be safe when repotting the plant so that your plant does not get weak or die.
- Keep your majesty palm indoors or in a cool place and wait until they adapt to their new pot before you place them in their permanent spot.
- Your majesty palm potting soil should drain excess water quickly and be nutrient-rich for the plants.
Now you are ready to repot the palms. Remember to stick to the majesty palm care tips in this article.
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