King Palm Looking Crispy

[mxcolin]

I'm helping a friend with a King Palm he bought from Lowe's. It's looking a little brown and crispy. It's in a large container that's getting water every day but it looks under rather than over watered. Any thoughts on what could be causing this? It's wasn't in fantastic shape when he bought it so it might just be the shock of the replanting? I should say that on one of the new fronds on the thinner trunks it's gone brown right away. The thicker trunks' new growth looks decent to me.

Edited June 13, 2020 by mxcolin

[DoomsDave]

@mxcolin Kings, like a few people, need a lot to drink.

How about a picture of the container?

I think it will be okay if it's watered a lot.

There's bound to be a few brown leaves.

 

[Palm Tree Jim]

As DD said.....plenty of water.

And the brown leaves are most likely from the sun burning them.

[Jim in Los Altos]

You can’t over water a king palm. They’ll grow in a bog happily. Several of mine are growing with roots submerged in water all year and are thriving. The kings pictured were likely poorly cared for while at Lowe’s and not watered enough. That trio will recuperate as long as their roots are kept moist. One other note. They don’t like dry heat. If they’re in an hot arid climate, they would be better off situated in a shadier position. 

[James B]

  On 6/14/2020 at 6:28 PM, Jim in Los Altos said:

You can’t over water a king palm. They’ll grow in a bog happily. 

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[James B]

Yup what Jim said. All pics above are King Palms in habitat: Alexandrae and Myolensis. 

[joe_OC]

That heatwave & Santa Ana conditions last week was nasty.  I watered everyday and still palms are showing sun damage.  

[James B]

Most of mine are used to seeing what the weather has dished our so far.  At least from a sun and heat perspective. The winds are a different story that is usually what damages the fronds on my taller palms. My older palms have all seen 113 in July and August so far no issues with sun damage except one Maxima that has been a weak struggling palm since I bought it in 2018. In Full sun and it’s leaves always get major burn after a few weeks pass after opening. I have 2 Chambeyronia that take a few hours full sun that get a little crispy. Otherwise the bulk of the Kings in sun are good. The Royals love the sun of course but when the Santa Anna’s pick up that’s what can burn their leaves a bit. 

[mxcolin]

Thanks guys it’s what I thought. It does get pretty dry and toasty around here in summer. I’ll get him to increase the water. 

[Mike Evans]

The palm was probably growing in some shade when he bought it and then he placed it in full Sun.  That equals Sun burnt leaves.  This is a common problem if you do not know what to do.  Best if he moves it in a little more shade and as stated, lots of water.  Slowly move it to more Sun over Months time period.  You should always look at the growing conditions when you buy a palm so you can determine if you need to slowly acclimate it to the new growing conditions.

[Jim in Los Altos]

  On 6/14/2020 at 6:54 PM, James B said:

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Beautiful scenic habitat shots!!!

[Jim in Los Altos]

These Archontophoenix have their roots submerged 24/7, 365 days a year.