Trachecarpus fortunei die off

[jplankfsu2015]

I manage a wholesale nursery in northeast Texas. We grow several cold hardy palms, one of which is Trachecarpus fortunei. They seem to have a problem that I can't figure out. The frond individual leaves will start to curl up. It will then progress to browining of lower fronds and progress to the entire set of fronds. In the final stages, you can pull out the primary new frond and it smells like rotten flesh inside the trunk. I have grown this species in Floriday for many years and have only started experiencing this problem in Texas over the past several years. These plants have been grown from seed and currently are about 4 years old. Any help would be appreciated!

[PalmatierMeg]

We need photos

[SeanK]

On 11/15/2023 at 4:36 PM, PalmatierMeg said:

We need photos

Agreed. 

In the meantime, I would do a pH test of the soil and a microbe test. pH is easy, a little dirt in a cup of distilled water. A swimming pool store sells litmus paper. For microbes, check out (no endorsement)

https://www.MicroBiometer.com

Try to see if there is some sort of fungus in the soil. I assume these are potted.

As Meg requested, pls attach pix.

[jplankfsu2015]

The palm starts completely green & healthy. It progresses to some fronds with curled leaves. Withinn a couple weeks, those fronds will turn brown and dry. Another few weeks all the fronds will be brown & dry. The result is a dead palm where the heart is easily pulled out. 

[SFLP48584]

Definitely some kind of rot.  Why it is happening in the fall in your area of Texas not sure.

-John