Fan palm tree not growing (landscape, palms, trees, leaf)

[Strongasabear]

We planted a fan palm last year here in NC. It has not grown even an inch. It is getting full sun. Soil is mostly clay. Any advice?

[greatblueheron]

The roots of many plants and trees just cannot grow through the clay soil...it is very heavy and compacts tight. They might live but will never thrive...

Dig up the plant, then dig to make sure the planting hole is twice the diameter of the leaf spread; amend soil with 1/2 perlite or vermiculite (found at any garden store)....after planting mulch well.

They love hot weather and make it through droughts but still...
water when you can and fertilize with a product FOR PALMS.

Good luck

[Strongasabear]

Will try that, thank you!

[Bulldogdad]

Lots and lots of drainage.

Adding sand to the mix will help greatly.

When I have planted palms in clay soils. I take an auger and run it several feet into the ground at the bottom of the planting pit then fill the hole(s) with drain rock and sand. Place landscape fabric over holes then plant.

Again like GBH stated two to three times root ball size for planting pit and lots of organic mix and sand for back fill.

[nitram]

Originally Posted by Strongasabear

We planted a fan palm last year here in NC. It has not grown even an inch. It is getting full sun. Soil is mostly clay. Any advice?

One thing that would help is if we knew what variety of palm tree and size you planted. Some palm tree varieties are very slow growers to begin with and may take a year or more to even get established depending on the time of year planted and soil conditions.

As mentioned above, in all cases good sized holes with well draining sandy type soil is best for the palm trees.

[Strongasabear]

Originally Posted by nitram

One thing that would help is if we knew what variety of palm tree and size you planted. Some palm tree varieties are very slow growers to begin with and may take a year or more to even get established depending on the time of year planted and soil conditions.

As mentioned above, in all cases good sized holes with well draining sandy type soil is best for the palm trees.

Isn't a fan palm a variety of a palm tree?

[Bulldogdad]

Originally Posted by Strongasabear

Isn't a fan palm a variety of a palm tree?

No its a generic term.