Potted palms

[Brian B]

I have a couple of (small) palm trees in pots that I am going to put into bigger pots for my shaded patio. I'd like to make sure that I'm putting them in the best medium possible for repotting.

I know they like good drainage, but would like to know who's had good success using what ingredients. I see all sorts of ideas but most include inorganic ingredients and even peat moss. Help!

They're not Sago palms or bananas or coconut or fan palms or anything like that - just ordinary little palms someone got at Costco and later gave them to me. All I can read from what's left of the ID tag is the partial word "Chamaedore..."

[Nadine]

http://www.dirtdoctor.com/dallasnews.php?id=516:

My favorite soil mix these days contains equal parts of compost, coconut fiber and expanded shale. Add a small amount of lava sand, Texas greensand and decomposed granite to the mix. These additions shouldn't make up more than 20 percent of the total soil mixture.

[Dirt Doctor]

That's probably parlor palm and very tender to freeze. It is really an indoor plant.

[Nadine]

Oh my, one should never assume... You do intend to keep these indoors, right? It might be best to keep the amount of lava sand minimal in potting soil. It's fantastic ability to hold water can be a disadvantage if too much of it is present in the mix.

Let us know how much you put in the mix: 5%, 10%, or 15% and how it works out for you. That would be great! :)