Bismarck Palm Fronds Drying Out Quickly

[mxcolin]

I have a small Bismarck Palm that throws out new growth but the fronds seem to dry out super quick. The soil feels like it gets plenty of water and it does get lots of sun. I fertilize 3 times per year.

Is this normal for small Bismarcks?

[aztropic]

No,it's not normal. At least it's still alive though. Just have to figure out why this is happening. For starters, Bismarckia roots are extremely sensitive. If this tree was recently transplanted,transplant shock is to be expected. Another possibility is damage from your fertilizer. Don't add any more fertilizer this year,and see if it improves.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[mxcolin]

1 hour ago, aztropic said:

No,it's not normal. At least it's still alive though. Just have to figure out why this is happening. For starters, Bismarckia roots are extremely sensitive. If this tree was recently transplanted,transplant shock is to be expected. Another possibility is damage from your fertilizer. Don't add any more fertilizer this year,and see if it improves.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

It was put in the container over 18 months ago. I'll go light on the fertilizer, I changed recently from Miracle Grow to Palm Gain.

[GottmitAlex]

Do you have pictures of it at 8 or 12 months? 

[mxcolin]

At 6 months. 

[GottmitAlex]

What's the medium/soil like?

 

[mxcolin]

45 minutes ago, GottmitAlex said:

What's the medium/soil like?

 

It's this stuff:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Kellogg-Garden-Organics-1-cu-ft-Palm-Cactus-and-Citrus-All-Purpose-Indoor-and-Outdoor-Mix-137/202247318

Edited February 24, 2023 by mxcolin

[Mangosteen]

14 minutes ago, mxcolin said:

It's this stuff:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Kellogg-Garden-Organics-1-cu-ft-Palm-Cactus-and-Citrus-All-Purpose-Indoor-and-Outdoor-Mix-137/202247318

Home Depot Palm Cactus Mix is full of rotting, dead trees (forest products) that steal oxygen away from the roots and can kill palms and most other plants.  Stay away from any medium that contains Forest Products.  For containers I use perlite and or pumice, sand or DG and Peat moss about 1/3 of each.

[Jim in Los Altos]

6 hours ago, mxcolin said:

It's this stuff:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Kellogg-Garden-Organics-1-cu-ft-Palm-Cactus-and-Citrus-All-Purpose-Indoor-and-Outdoor-Mix-137/202247318

That Kellogg’s Cactus Mix is one of the best ones out there. I’ve used many varieties and my palms in Kellogg’s explode in growth. 
 
Did your Bismarck palm possibly ever dry out completely between waterings? When potted, the soil should never dry out completely. 

[Jim in Los Altos]

5 hours ago, Mangosteen said:

Home Depot Palm Cactus Mix is full of rotting, dead trees (forest products) that steal oxygen away from the roots and can kill palms and most other plants.  Stay away from any medium that contains Forest Products.  For containers I use perlite and or pumice, sand or DG and Peat moss about 1/3 of each.

It’s Kellogg’s, not Home Depot brand. Home Depot is just where it was purchased. Kellog’s is excellent by the way. 

[mxcolin]

2 minutes ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

That Kellogg’s Cactus Mix is one of the best ones out there. I’ve used many varieties and my palms in Kellogg’s explode in growth. 
 
Did your Bismarck palm possibly ever dry out completely between waterings? When potted, the soil should never dry out completely. 

There's a chance maybe last summer, I had to adjust the drip back then to add more water. Since then though it has thrown out the new spear in the image. 

[Hardypalms]

I am in the same boat. I m going to germinate seeds and then pot the seedlings. Miracle grow cactus and palm potting mix is cheap, $5 for 8 quarts. I don’t really have the time to go run around to find 8 ingredients to mix.I could add one thing maybe. to that mix if needed. I can pot around 24 seedlings in liners with one bag. I m just a hobbiest, not buying $75 seeds imported from Madagascar. Some make it, some don’t, no sweat.

Thxs a lot

Pat

[Growingwithdrew]

I Lost my Potted Bismarck last winter one by one the fronds died the spear stayed green but what had happened is in California we had an incredibly wet winter and upon closer inspection i saw my Bismark's roots had rotted and because of that the uptake in water and nutrients was interrupted, I can agree with Jim more the Kellogg Cactus palm Citrus soil is my go to soil for palms its worth noting that this Bismark was not potted in the Kellogg cactus mix. Hopefully yours didn't follow the path of mine and is alive and recovering!

[mxcolin]

Unfortunately mine is toast. I have a new one though so let’s see how it goes. 

[James B]

I too have had great success with Kellogg’s Palm mix. Replaced the miracle grow with it years ago.

I’d say if the Bismarckia was in a pot with last winter that may have been the issue as perhaps it didn’t get the drainage it wanted. 

 

[Bkue]

I put in a new 7ft early this year. Root bound. Thought all summer regardless of water that it was a goner. Kept throwing new spears though and the die off has subsided. Like mentioned, they are well documented to not liking transplanting. Funny though, I didn’t have as much a problem when I put in the big one a few years ago. Maybe better technique on digging / moving? 

[mxcolin]

New one is not looking good. Same problems but I'll give it some time to see how it goes.

[3 Milesfrom Gulf of Mexico]

What's your drainage like?  

[FlaPalmLover]

Bismarcks don't seem terribly pot friendly. There are a few around downtown Orlando that look rough (although those may just dry out this time of year).