King Palm Deformed Terminal Fronds

[Tropical Paradise]

 

Hi, I have a mature king palm in southern California that has deformed terminal fronds. I am trying to diagnose the cause, and treat it. Please help! Thank you.

[Darold Petty]

Welcome to Palmtalk !  

This can be a mechanical issue of spear advancement, but is more likely to be a nutitional deficiency.  Lack of the three macronutrients, (NPK) shows first on the older foliage, while micronutrient deficiency shows on the newest foliage.  This looks like mangnese deficiency.  Correct by using a well balanced fertilizer with the NPK ratio of approximately 3-1-3, and a good spectrum of minors.  There are several fertilizers specifically formulated for palms.  The existing, damaged foliage will not recover, but subsequent growth should improve.  King palms with good drainage will appreciate a LOT of water.

Read this.......https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep273 

[BigWaveDav3]

Had the same thing happen to one of mine.  Tried systemic fungicide, added boron, and micronutrients and it kept pushing out progressively better developed fronds but the crown never shed the old fronds properly and it seemed like the crown did not have enough room to completely push out a spear to develop fully. Others palms purchased at the same time planted in same location from the same grower were doing well. Since this was in a high visibility area in my front yard, I moved it to the backyard to nurse a bit more and replaced with a new 15 gallon plant. Boron deficiency looks similar to your pics but fungal issue and nutrient deficiency could also be a possibility.