Texas sabal transplant issue

[dmalysh]

When I though I figured it all out, boy was I wrong when I got this field grown Texas sabal planted in my backyard.🤦🏻‍♀️

What in the world is going on!? This is so bizarre I can't find an explanation as to why the 2nd and the 3rd newer fronds are dying, yet the newest spear looks nice and green!?

The palm's trunk is 5 ft tall. Planted in February 2024 near Houston, TX. The palm was brought from Florida. It is planted in heavy clay soil.

Thoughts? 

[Chester B]

Probably transplant shock to the newest fronds and its now moving past it.

[dmalysh]

21 minutes ago, Chester B said:

Probably transplant shock to the newest fronds and its now moving past it.

The new spear had already been there when the palm was planted. I haven't noticed any new growth whatsoever.  🙈 My other Florida sabal took good 6 months to sit in ground before showing any sign of movement in the crown. Ugh.. I hope it's not the beginning of the end for this sabal mexicana🙈

[Fusca]

2 hours ago, dmalysh said:

The new spear had already been there when the palm was planted. I haven't noticed any new growth whatsoever.  🙈 My other Florida sabal took good 6 months to sit in ground before showing any sign of movement in the crown. Ugh.. I hope it's not the beginning of the end for this sabal mexicana🙈

It's only been in the ground for 2 months.  It needs water, water, water to get established as you probably know.  My field grown Sabal mexicana looks very similar to yours.  It was planted in April 2023 and didn't show any growth for 6 months while it was regrowing its roots.  Since fall it has opened one fronds and currently pushing another.  Are you sure it is a mexicana that came from Florida?  Mexicana (Texas native) aren't commonly grown in Florida but their native palmetto is.  Mine was grown within 15 miles of my property.  I'm sure yours will be fine if it's kept well watered.

[dmalysh]

8 hours ago, Fusca said:

It's only been in the ground for 2 months.  It needs water, water, water to get established as you probably know.  My field grown Sabal mexicana looks very similar to yours.  It was planted in April 2023 and didn't show any growth for 6 months while it was regrowing its roots.  Since fall it has opened one fronds and currently pushing another.  Are you sure it is a mexicana that came from Florida?  Mexicana (Texas native) aren't commonly grown in Florida but their native palmetto is.  Mine was grown within 15 miles of my property.  I'm sure yours will be fine if it's kept well watered.

Thank you for your reply and the photo.

The palm seller in Houston kept talking about his palms brought from Florida, so I assumed that's where he got the mexicana, too. Lol I guess not. 

So glad to hear my sabal is not the only one experiencing this. Even better, your sabal is pushing new growth.  That's great news!

I was worried that I overwatered the palm or planted too deep in this clay gumbo and the new roots have no way to breathe and develop. I guess I am overthinking it and just need to be patient. 

[SeanK]

You guys know that the more trunk it has, the higher success rate? It's relying on stored carbs to pushes new growth. 3-ft of trunk is very risky.

[Fusca]

18 minutes ago, SeanK said:

You guys know that the more trunk it has, the higher success rate? It's relying on stored carbs to pushes new growth. 3-ft of trunk is very risky.

Yes, it involves some risk.  The grower where I bought my mexicana has sold many with 3' of trunk with successful regeneration but that's the smallest size he'd sell.  4' of trunk might be the limit for palmetto due to a less beefy trunk compared to mexicana.