Weird problem with Phoenix

[branislav]

I have numerous Phoenix species planted around the yard, some of them fairly small (1g to 3g). Recently, several of them had a spear pull. Now, here's the strange part: they are all in different parts of the yard, and different species; no other genus is having a problem, and neither do the larger Phoenix plants; there is no damage on the plants aside from the spear pull (except the new spears looking bad, which is why I pulled on them). They are all on drip, and have not gotten much irrigation because of the rains. The one common thing I noticed aside from all being Phoenix and small, is that there's soil in the crown. As if some insects have carried it there or something. I have been applying hydrogen peroxide since the discovery, but am really at a loss as to what is going on. Any ideas? (I can post photos but there's nothing to see: the other leaves look healthy.)

[AZPalms]

What sort of temperatures did the see over winter? 

How long ago were they planted? 

Soil in the crown could be the culprit and introduce fungus/rot. Plus the rain. Most Phoenix like dry and heat to a degree. 

[branislav]

  On 3/13/2020 at 12:04 AM, AZPalms said:

What sort of temperatures did the see over winter? 

How long ago were they planted? 

Soil in the crown could be the culprit and introduce fungus/rot. Plus the rain. Most Phoenix like dry and heat to a degree. 

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The temps might have dipped to 34-32 around the lowest part of the garden where two of the affected plants are. The winter was, as usual, damp and cool. I got quite a bit of cold spotting on the more tender palms, but nothing on any of the Phoenix species. Most were planted last year. I am thinking the soil in the crown is the problem... but how did it get there? On closer inspection, I noticed similar soil buildup on one of the adjacent plants (Hyphaene petersiana), with a lot of ant activity after I cleaned it up. But nothing else. I tend to leave ants alone but am wondering if they are not building something.