Pygmy Date Palm Leaning & Exposed Roots: Repotting Solution

Pygmy Date Palm
Pygmy Date Palm #2 Bought at Home Depot in January. Started in filtered shade, then white substance on new leaves, plant sagged. Moved to balcony with couple hours sun, transplanted, used palm fertilizer & nutritional spray biweekly. Leaves better but plant leans heavily, pushing out of pot, many exposed roots on soil surface. Had a few exposed roots at purchase, more now. Cause? Suggestions?

Expert Advice

Container is far too small for root ball; palm planted too high. Repot into larger container with first lateral roots at soil surface. Water well, top off soil to eliminate air pockets. Mulch 2 inches to retain moisture. Site for morning sun, afternoon shade. Palms need fertilizer only 3x/year—don't overfertilize. Nutritional spray is fine.

Follow-up Clarification

Repot in bigger container, free root ball, plant with first lateral roots just under soil surface. Water well, stake main trunk until roots anchor.