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Lightning strike seems to be the consensus. Thank you to all for the input.

I think you have a good handle on it. Using cardboard is a great idea, just remove tape and labels. Mulch is a good idea as well. It will be a constant effort though. Grass and weeds love to spread. As for the fertilizer, it looks like you have adequate spacing and little risk for burn. I would still use less than stated on the package due to your region having a short growing season.

IN high humidity environments mulch breaks down fast. In a drought environment it dries out and blows away. Add torrential rain, and it gets washed away too. So yes I have mulched about 50-60 cubic yards on 2000+ square feet(200 square meters) of garden space every two years. I started with grey white sand in half of my yard to 2-3' deep. No rain changes everything. When I first moved here from growing palms in arizona I killed a number of palms by not understanding how dry the soil becomes in just 3-4 days. I couldnt put palms under 5 gallons in the ground unless its a heavily amended raised bed or a clayish soil mix spot.

Santa anas are devastating in causing water loss. Its one thing to be hot and dry but add strong wind and plants are desiccated even more rapidly. Wind is often underestimated as a drying force. I remember some santa ana winds from my time in orange county CA, my patio plants looked nice then the winds came and they just crisped up. Coastal humidity kept them happy till the desert winds came, then dead in a few days. That was my first exposure to santa anas. You really cant address santa anas with windbreak, they bring the desert with them.

Zamia splendens $40 for both. Pick up in Satellite Beach, I could probably ship, but am worried about those new soft leaves getting broken. Beachpalms@cfl.rr.com

@happypalms Chuniopphoenix humilis is a synonym of C nana which is tough as you know. I really doubt the cold did it in given they fly through my winters.

What is the lowest in your area

I had a Kentia do this earlier this year . We had a very strong storm and a very wet winter. I have quite a few Kentia as well as other palms . Never had it happen in over 36 years of raising palms . One large Kentia just collapsed! I figured a cold windy storm somehow let too much moisture deep in the growth point and caused rot . We did have lightening one night and right after , the palm started browning from the lower fronds . Then the whole top just fell over. Harry

I have had losses mainly during the hot , dry Santa Ana winds we get . Back in about 2018 we had an extreme hot spell and I was away . I was unable to water or soak the palms and I lost a Howea F. which normally grow well here . I have a few in my garden and the others burned a bit but the large one out front got cooked . I tried to revive it but , no go. Same with a Rhopalostylus Sapida in the courtyard . That was hard as both palms had been with me for over 20 years . I have good draining soil here that is amended yearly . Both palms were in full sun , about 20 miles from the beach . Harry

I have a little batch of what is labeled dypsis faneva, and assuming it’s labeled as such it must be. However all pictures I find dont look like a match. And to add more confusion the new leaf petiole is showing white. So what is it I ask!

Winter is not over yet, iam expecting more casualties, that’s zone pushing for you, iam used to it by now. But what’s more disappointing is you kill rare palms and that’s the bit that hurts!

Yeah I'm going to say lightning strike as well

Sorry to see this but losses happen when we push beyond our known comfort zone. There are also pleasant successes , that’s how we learn. Vershafeltia is one I would never attempt in my climate , more temperate than yours. Harry

That’s the one, grow tip from me kick it as go past, they grow faster, super tough palm. 🤣 Richard

This sucks. sorry

Agree , a bit unkept . Mine is just coming out of strap leaf stage. Harry

I knew it was inevitable, but for how long will it last. The first winter losers. The verschaffeltia was a no brainer I knew they were doomed, a gift of some seeds out the window. The raubul is not to happy, although it’s tropical growth that’s burning its already not looking good. And the humilis that’s all three dead and I was surprised at that lose. You just don’t know until you try, but no more verschaffeltia for me 🤣Verschaffeltia Areca raubul Chuniophoenix humillis

You can have that in your own! Iam already looking at Siamese cat books, never been without a pet in my life before, just some freedom gor a little time, but iam sure the first time I see a kitten I know what will happen🤣

Syagrus Schizophylla, they even look manic as a juvenile palm!

Another great Australian palm. Slow to grow and germinate. Very sporadic germination rates, anywhere from 12 months to 3 years with them germinating in sporadic bursts. And with the added bonus of being cool tolerant!

A few trays full of them should be enough for the domestic market, with a couple left over for the garden! It’s quite surprising, New Caledonia palms how cool tolerant they are, New Caledonia and Madagascar palms in my climate perfection plus they love it, that sweet spot for those palms! The white plastic grow bag gave it away!

wow that tree is massive! Interesting observations. I've noticed the same " morphotypes" of Delonix regia as well on my travels! Really don't know what influences it! Thank you for the pointers!

I know how you feel, black sandy soil I have that drains faster than the kitchen sink, mulch mulch mulch!

Sure is. Approaching 24 months down here. Has only been through 1 full winter and I do keep it protected, but it doesn’t even flinch. I can just tell it won’t have a problem in the ground. Going to plonk it into a north east facing spot against the house with some filtered light through a bit of canopy.

Another classic brom n the collection for you. I purchased a few broms the other week! Forgot their names already, saving the memory bank for more palms!!!