Hi I have just brought a 2 year old Phoenix Canariensis i dont really have much experience so would be grateful for any help, i have bought a pot to start growing it in but i am not sure what compost to use i have heard that gravely compost is the best stuff for them, i have some of this Cactus Compost in my shed that has sand and grit in it do you think that it would grow ok in this? here is the link http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wc...01&partNumber=108764&Trail=searchtext>COMPOST
Sounds the right sort of stuff, it certainly needs good drainage. Presume you're growing this indoors?
Thanks, at the moment its in my garden as its getting plenty of sun out there but I plan to move it into my conservatory during the winter time or when the weather gets bad.
Phoenix will grow almost anywhere in the garden so long as its a sunny spot. I have a few of these growing in the Garden here in Nottingham, infact many Gardens in Nottingham where I live have these palms in as we have a large Italian and Latin community where I live. Is it your intention to put it out into the garden or do you intend to keep it as a house plant? They will quicky fill a pot and the roots will become pot bound. The Tap root goes down a long way too. I would say you can keep a 2 ft tree inside in a large pot for maybe 2 years then it will need to be transferred to the garden. phoenix don't like to be moved too often as their roots don't enjoy being disturbed, so if you intention is to plant it out it maybe as well to put it in a good sunny spot that has good drainage from the off. They are very frost tolerant so you shouldnt have many problems. Wind damage can be a pain, but if you tie all the fronds up together until winter is over and the March winds have gone you can greatly reduce any damage. Nath
