Hello,

 

I just had an adult King palm planted at my house and the nursey insisted I keep it tied up for the first month so the tree grows properly.  A week in and the tree is drooping quite a bit to the side, should I keep it tied up like this?

Edited July 12, 20223 yr by SoCalPalmMike

The crown collapsed. It's probably a goner. Time to make a phone call about a warranty replacement. That palm is done and will not recover... probably. Sorry for the bad news. 

 

You keep the leaves tied to prevent moisture loss through the leaves. It needed more water and the grass shouldn't be right up on the trunk like that. The roots couldn't get and supply enough water to the crown so it collapsed. 

Thanks appreciate the diagnosis!  I will see what I can do to try and revive this guy but will reach out of it keeps heading downhill.

Wow that’s ashame that happened. I’ve never kept a single palm tied up after planting and I’ve planted over 80 palms.

I don’t know where this technique comes from but it is not needed for King Palms.

Sorry to see you lose your palm.

All I can share is King palms like lots of water after planting for several days until the roots are good wet and happy.

The seller is dead wrong. You never should leave King palm fronds tied up like that. They are susceptible to pink rot and need air movement at the crown. King palms like lots of water throughout their lives and lawn areas are ideal if they are irrigated often, but occasional supplemental deeper watering is still advisable. They are semi-aquatic palms and it’s impossible to over-water them. Most of mine are in groves. Did the seller give you a guarantee on the palm? I’ve planted hundreds of palms and NEVER tied them up. 
 

 

Edited July 12, 20223 yr by Jim in Los Altos

The palm is warrantied thankfully,  they already replaced one of the first palms that we think was DOA and when they planted it in the front yard.

Hopefully they take care of you. It’s not a good sign that they brought you a DOA and planted it anyway. 

7 hours ago, SoCalPalmMike said:

The palm is warrantied thankfully,  they already replaced one of the first palms that we think was DOA and when they planted it in the front yard.

Could it be Moon Valley Nursery?  I have to concur with Johnny that it is a bit curious as to how they could bring  a palm out and plant it if it was DOA.  That sounds like some sort of full employment program.

59 minutes ago, Johnny Palmseed said:

It’s not a good sign that they brought you a DOA and planted it anyway.