Question(s) about transplanting a Majesty Palm

17 years ago

I have a Majesty Palm about 7ft (tallest branch) I just transplanted, and have a few questions for those whom have experience with this palm... Prior to transplant, the Majesty was receiving almost a full day of sun with minimal shade. It was not watered regularly BUT it was in a location where the soil seemed rich. When I dug the Majesty up, I was surprised the roots weren't more plentiful. And the roots did in fact seem a bit dry. Also the leaf tips were starting to get brown, especially the top fronds. (not enough water?)

The Majesty was moved to a location where it will receive almost a full day sun but broken up with a good mixture of shade throughout the day. It will also receive 3-5 days a week regular irrigation. I dug a large hole and filled the center with a mixture of dirt and a grainy peat moss type substance so water will drain and/or hold near the roots. Around the center I filled the hole with more dirt and some peat moss so the roots can take hold of the dirt. I also dug a trench around the planted palm to cup the water and hold it near the roots, but the base of the palm doesn't sit in draining or standing water. Also plan to mulch around the palm.

1. Will the Majesty of this size experience some transplant shock with the above changes?

2. Should the Majesty Palm thrive in it's new location?

3. How long before I should notice if the palm is happy in it's new location (new growth, less browning tips, or whatever)?

4. Does my peat moss drainage idea sound like it will work?

I'm trying to give the palm a more "river bank" feel and hoping to succeed in replicating this. I want to give it the best chance for survival and don't want to loose such a gorgeous palm. Thank you.

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Comments (6)

topher2006
17 years ago
theseventhlegend

1. Majesty's don't like to be moved . So i would guess that you most likely will suffer transplant shock.

2. Part shade is a good idea as most of them will yellow and brown in full sun.

3. You cannot give them enough water ! I had to water mine daily in the warm weather

4. The most important thing is it will not live in zone
8b soon as the weather gets below 28 it will start to die . That's why they are referred to as the disposable
palm... Sorry to give you the bad news .

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.junglemusic.net/palms/
anita09
16 years ago
My majesty palm is about 2 years old. It has been doing great but now the palms are wilting over from the top. There were three indian hawthrone plants growing around it which were pulled out about 4 months ago. Do you think this caused air pocket and affected the root? It also has a lot of mulch around the trunk. The other palm on the other side of the yard is still healthy.
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I have never noticed a larger pot size allowed a palm go grow faster.. if anything, they usually grow slower in pots too large. But you should not be concerned about a Majesty growing to your ceiling height... rarely if ever happens no matter how well you care for it. They are not that fast a palm... they may grow leaves at a fairly good rate, but even in perfect climates in the ground it takes them many many years to grow that tall. In a pot, probably never. In fact, in indoor situation, most people's palms don't last even more than 2-5 years. But if you keep it outdoors as much as possible and water it well, you might beat the odds. These palms like a LOT of water (live in nature with roots or and sometimes stems in the water). Fertilizer needs of potted palms are WAY under a palm in the ground, so be VERY EASY on the fertilizer (maybe once a year at the most). If you can keep your palm alive long enough for it even for develop a trunk, you have done better than 99.9% of the others who try to make this an indoor palm. If you can keep it alive in a pot once it trunks, I suspect at best, 10-15 years before it is tall enough your ceiling will be a concern. Pot size would only have to get towards 25gal once it has a pretty good trunk on it. It could survive in a pot that size for a long time (I have seen people's fairly outdoor healthy palms in 15 gal pots that have 10' of trunk on them)
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theseventhlegend
Original Author
16 years ago
Topher thanks for the advice. The link you posted shows Majesty's like full sun. :o) It's been 5 months since I moved my Majesty. It did go into shock, lost 3 fronds. I have 1 new frond fully opened, and 1 tall spear, and 1 short spear. It hasn't grown much so now I'm wondering what to do. I can transplant it again to zone 9a in a more secluded frost protected location but that doesn't guarantee it won't get way below freezing. I can also dig it up and try again next year. I can even move it to another location in my yard. I was trying to salvage my Majesty but I'm scratching my head.

Anita how tall were the Hawthrone plants? They could of been sheilding your Majesty from direct sun and now it's in shock?
unautre
16 years ago
"Majesty's like full sun"

Compared with the dark green at purchase, they will fade to light green, even tinged with yellow, in full sun. Full sun doesn't hurt them, it's just not so pleasing a color.

If you cut a lot of roots in transplanting, expect the worst.
topher2006
16 years ago
yeah unautre is right make sure when you transplant it
that you dig deep because if you do cut the roots it will go into shock again and can possibly die.
dickbabcock47_yahoo_com
13 years ago
I know that some plants grow better being somewhat rootbound. Is this the case for the majesty Palm? When transplanting i was'nt sure whether to separate the roots or leave them wrapped in a ball, as they were in rather tight container.

Question(s) about transplanting a Majesty Palm

Comments (6)

topher2006

anita09

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Question(s) about transplanting a Majesty Palm

Comments (6)

topher2006

anita09

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theseventhlegendOriginal Author

unautre

topher2006

dickbabcock47_yahoo_com

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theseventhlegend
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