Trithrinax campestris putting out yellow leaves?

[fr8train]

I've grown this from a strap leaf plant I bought 15+ years ago, it's finally starting to put out its first palmate leaves and they're yellowish. What could cause this? I'm really worried, I'd hate to lose this thing.

It's spent most of its life in Illinois and always chugged along, I wonder if it doesn't like the heat of Texas?

[Tom in Tucson]

I don't think that the heat is the culprit. It resembles a deficiency like maybe Potassium.

I have 2 Trithrinax campestris clusters in 80-100% full sun, and they're doing fine with high temps of 107˚-114˚ for the last 50 days.

Hi 109˚, Lo 77˚

[fr8train]

31 minutes ago, Tom in Tucson said:

I don't think that the heat is the culprit. It resembles a deficiency like maybe Potassium.

I have 2 Trithrinax campestris clusters in 80-100% full sun, and they're doing fine with high temps of 107˚-114˚ for the last 50 days.

Hi 109˚, Lo 77˚

I see, thanks. I've been fertilizing it normally like I always have, it's weird :/

I have another campestris and schizophylla and they seem fine. 

Do you have any pictures of your campestris by any chance? It's one of my favorite palms, and it's so hard to find, hopefully this one pulls through. 

[Tom in Tucson]

23 hours ago, fr8train said:

I see, thanks. I've been fertilizing it normally like I always have, it's weird 😕

I have another campestris and schizophylla and they seem fine. 

Do you have any pictures of your campestris by any chance? It's one of my favorite palms, and it's so hard to find, hopefully this one pulls through. 

No pics, sorry. While I was watering today I did notice 2 scorched leaves, but they didn't look like the leaves you showed. BTW, my plants are only 8" to 14" high (slow).

Hi 105˚, Lo 79˚

Edited August 8, 2023 by Tom in Tucson

[SeanK]

Almost looks variegated 

[fr8train]

12 hours ago, Tom in Tucson said:

No pics, sorry. While I was watering today I did notice 2 scorched leaves, but they didn't look like the leaves you showed. BTW, my plants are only 8" to 14" high (slow).

Hi 105˚, Lo 79˚

I see, that's ok. Where'd you get them? I'm also looking for a source, they're so hard to find. I was able to get 1 seed out of 100 to germinate from an ebay order recently, I'm hoping more sprout. The strap leaf I ordered from Jungle Music years ago. I haven't seen it for sale anywhere else in the US. 

12 hours ago, SeanK said:

Almost looks variegated 

I'll try to get another photo later, the leaves feel just as stiff as the darker regular colored ones, idk why they're so much lighter suddenly. 

[Merlyn]

If it only affects the new leaves it could be an iron deficiency.  Sometimes you get that with root rot, too much water, or an excess of other nutrients.  For example, if your fertilizer is really high in Phosphorus it might limit the uptake of iron.  Since it's only happening to one of them I'd guess some kind of root issue.  But I'm certainly not a palms in pots expert, the majority of mine are in the ground.

[fr8train]

Just now, Merlyn said:

If it only affects the new leaves it could be an iron deficiency.  Sometimes you get that with root rot, too much water, or an excess of other nutrients.  For example, if your fertilizer is really high in Phosphorus it might limit the uptake of iron.  Since it's only happening to one of them I'd guess some kind of root issue.  But I'm certainly not a palms in pots expert, the majority of mine are in the ground.

I see. I feel like I've been watering and fertilizing about the same, but maybe I'll pull back. It still seems to be growing quickly despite the color.

[Tom in Tucson]

10 hours ago, fr8train said:

I see, that's ok. Where'd you get them? I'm also looking for a source, they're so hard to find. I was able to get 1 seed out of 100 to germinate from an ebay order recently, I'm hoping more sprout. The strap leaf I ordered from Jungle Music years ago. I haven't seen it for sale anywhere else in the US. 

I'll try to get another photo later, the leaves feel just as stiff as the darker regular colored ones, idk why they're so much lighter suddenly. 

The tallest one was bought from Jungle Music in '14 (then 5" high). The second one was bought from Texas Cold Hardy Palms in '16 (then 4" high).

Hi 106˚, Lo 81˚ TIA 99˚ ending 53 straight days of 100˚ or higher

[fr8train]

I did a bit more searching, and I found this thread:

Where epsom salt, iron, and treatments for chlorosis were recommended. I'm not sure which to try. I wonder if I'm overwatering, but all my other palms seem pretty happy and don't have this issue. It's been over 100 almost everyday since the beginning of June. 

[fr8train]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the epsom salt for this? I may go out and buy some today, or iron fertilizer, I'm not sure which yet. 

[fr8train]

I've tried epsom salt and iron about a month ago and so far it's still pushing out very yellow leaves  

[kinzyjr]

3 hours ago, fr8train said:

I've tried epsom salt and iron about a month ago and so far it's still pushing out very yellow leaves

Can't guarantee anything, but take a look in and around the crown and root ball for pests like scale/mealy bugs, etc.  My Copernicia alba had really stunted unhealthy fronds coming out.  There were some ants in the area and mealy bugs just below the soil surface feeding on the rootball.  A good spray with a systemic likely earned a save as the last three leaflets have been a nice, silvery blue.

[fr8train]

11 minutes ago, kinzyjr said:

Can't guarantee anything, but take a look in and around the crown and root ball for pests like scale/mealy bugs, etc.  My Copernicia alba had really stunted unhealthy fronds coming out.  There were some ants in the area and mealy bugs just below the soil surface feeding on the rootball.  A good spray with a systemic likely earned a save as the last three leaflets have been a nice, silvery blue.

I'll take a look again tonight, thank you. I also wonder if the soil is too heavy and its roots are rotting? Maybe I should re-pot it in better draining soil, I didn't think it'd be an issue as it's so hot here in summer, but maybe it is? What do you think?

I found this and the palms look a lot like what I'm seeing with mine:

The weird thing is it seems to be chugging along growing just fine, none of the growth is stunted so far, but it's almost completely yellow.

Edited September 14, 2023 by fr8train

[kinzyjr]

1 hour ago, fr8train said:

I'll take a look again tonight, thank you. I also wonder if the soil is too heavy and its roots are rotting? Maybe I should re-pot it in better draining soil, I didn't think it'd be an issue as it's so hot here in summer, but maybe it is? What do you think?

It definitely could be that the mix is too heavy, causing some root rot.  Stick your finger down in the mix.  Is it damp, compact, or soggy at any point? 

Some of my palms exhibit the Iron (Fe) deficiency from time to time, partly because my soil is a lot heavier than typical for Florida and also because it is so high in metals like Phosphorus and Copper.  There is one area where it is difficult to grow anything because the copper (Cu) content of the soil is so high.  That's a good area to hardscape and forget about for a while.

[Looking Glass]

Magnesium and potassium deficiency are old leaf problems, they’ll be worse on the oldest fronds and work their way up, lessening in severity in the new fronds.  

Iron is a new leaf problem.  It will be worse on the newest fronds.  That looks like iron issues getting worse over time.  It’s going to be a root issue.   I’d take it out of the pot, and check for old, mushy soil and rotting roots and bugs.  Maybe clean off any muck, and replant in a custom soil mix similar to their native habitat.  Then water in a similar manner to their natural conditions, adjusting for your temps and sun.   Perhaps you’ve been watering more into a heavy mix to counter the Texas heat.   

I don’t know anything about these specific palms, but just a quick check shows these growing in sandy soil and rock naturally with no flooding and with lot of drought tolerance.  I’d guess your mix should be very sandy and gritty and fast draining.  In wet peat and potting soil, I’d bet this sucker rots easily.   Check out the photos on palmpedia….

 

You can probably temporarily bridge with foliar iron treatments, but you need to fix the root-soil issues pretty soon I think.  

[fr8train]

Thank you @Looking Glass and @kinzyjr for the response and info. I'm going to try switching out the soil today to something much better draining, this will give me a chance to inspect for pests too.