Q.Transplanted palms
I just bought 6 pygmy palms which the owner told me were about 15 years old. They aren’t very big for being that old. He had them in 18×18 cement containers. They appeared almost bone dry when we took them out. No root damage, they came out relatively easy. Now, I am having a hard time trying to find a container big enough to put them in. I am wondering before I go spending over 100$ per pot if they will even live. As the picture shows, there is barely any dirt, only roots. They have been sitting for the past few days without a container but I have been dousing them with water. Should I fertilize? Will they live without a container? I have sandy dirt. Will they live in that? Also, there seems to be little yellow spots on the leaves…some from the inner growing leaves.
Thanks for your help. I really want to save these little guys….

Pygmy Palms grow in zones 10 thru 11. Planting them into the ground would most likely not work.
I would suggest quickly getting them into containers to reduce the stress and plants from drying out.
Here is a link to proper care.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/pygmy-palm/grow-pygmy-palm-trees.htm