Brahea armata.

[Ste]

Just had my second brahea armata delivered and it's great. Nice size and good size trunk - especially for the money I paid, bargain. Just been and bought a pot for it as the original pot has burst with the amount of roots. Also bought 3 bags of John innes no 2, 3 bags of gravel/pea shingle and 3 bags of sharp sand. What would be the best mix for this palm?

[GoggleboxUK]

The more free draining the better Ste.

Although they are thirsty palms they don't like to have constant wet around the roots.

Try to be as gentle with the roots as possible when repotting as they hate root disturbances and if you can stand the pot in a saucer of water for 12 hours 3 or 4 times a week during the growing season you should see some excellent growth. Feed once a month either with chicken pellets or something like Miracle Gro or Chempak.

[Ste]

Cheers rick. I'm in a rush now, off to work but I'll be potting up in the morning do any comments on what mix to use would be much appreciated. For example 33% compost, 33% gravel, 33% sharp sand?

[paulrm71]

Ste, thats the sort of ratios that I will be using when I plant mine out in a raised bed, hopefully April time. Knowing that they dislike root disturbance, I have bought some 'Rootgrow', and will see if this helps.

[Rod]

Just had my second brahea armata delivered and it's great. Nice size and good size trunk - especially for the money I paid, bargain. Just been and bought a pot for it as the original pot has burst with the amount of roots. Also bought 3 bags of John innes no 2, 3 bags of gravel/pea shingle and 3 bags of sharp sand. What would be the best mix for this palm?

Got any pictures Ste?

[tropical Tom]

Just had my second brahea armata delivered and it's great. Nice size and good size trunk - especially for the money I paid, bargain. Just been and bought a pot for it as the original pot has burst with the amount of roots. Also bought 3 bags of John innes no 2, 3 bags of gravel/pea shingle and 3 bags of sharp sand. What would be the best mix for this palm?

Show it to us then Ste, and how much and where from?

[Ste]

Got any pictures Ste?

Here's a couple of pics. I've just got in from a 13 hour night shift so not had chance to re-pot it yet but hopefully will do this afternoon.
It's a nice size, especially for the price tag. Managed to get it for £45 so its a definate bargain.

[cordyman]

could that be a sucker/pup off a bigger plant, with the angle of the bend and all

[Adrian]

I hope it was pot grown and not lifted and put in that pot, if the latter then it doesnt stand a chance.
The only reason Im questioning whether it has been pot grown is that it looks loose in the pot.

[Yorkshire Kris]

I share Adrian's concern. It does look loose in the pot with exposed roots which isn't a good sign. The pot looks too small for that palm to have grown to that size in?

[GoggleboxUK]

Maybe Ste has already taken it from the old pot and shaken off the old compost? Most sellers will keep these in a very loose and free draining mix.

[tropical Tom]

Maybe Ste has already taken it from the old pot and shaken off the old compost? Most sellers will keep these in a very loose and free draining mix.

Ste did say that the original pot had been burst by the roots, so hopefully thats why it appears loose

[Ste]

I know what you mean about it looking as if it has just been plonked in that pot butthe good thing is that that the roots are bursting through the holes in the bottom of the pot so they have obviousley grown through the holes which seems like it has been in that pot for some time. The roots are poking about 12 inches through the holes and are that tight, the pot will want cutting off. If it was just lifted and stuck in that pot the roots wouldn't be like they are. I think it's the way it was delivered which has caused it to tilt and look loose. It was shocking the way the box was bent. I dont blame the seller, it's the delivery guys who handle packages loads of shallots.
I think this is why it looks loose...................

[Yorkshire Kris]

It's a cracking plant for the price.

[Delboy]

Was that direct from Spain Ste?