Flame Thrower Palm

[Rchrysanthi]

Hello all, 

I have this flame thrower that’s a few year old. I moved her outside for the first time this summer. I know she’s burnt but the local palm guy things she’s dead. I’m really hoping I didn’t kill her, she was a Christmas gift from my husband. The fond will not open. I’m been feeding her once every two weeks with palm fertilizer. Is she dead? What can I do to save her? Thanks!

[DoomsDave]

9 minutes ago, Rchrysanthi said:

Hello all, 

I have this flame thrower that’s a few year old. I moved her outside for the first time this summer. I know she’s burnt but the local palm guy things she’s dead. I’m really hoping I didn’t kill her, she was a Christmas gift from my husband. The fond will not open. I’m been feeding her once every two weeks with palm fertilizer. Is she dead? What can I do to save her? Thanks!

Nice to meet you and welcome!

Looks like your palm is still very much alive, but unhappy. Maybe untie it so the leaves can arch and curve naturally? How big of a pot is it in?

One problem you'll have with flame throwers indoors in the winter time is spider mites (I know, too well, alas) so be prepared to deal with them come late fall and winter.

And, FWIW, I'm originally from Cleveland Ohio, the Mistake on the Lake up the I-71 . . . been here in California for almost 40 years.

Also see my PM (private message).

[Rchrysanthi]

Hey Dave! 
 

Thank you for the quick reply! Do I remove the burnt fronds? I’ve attached a video I took before I moved it into some shade.

Pot is 9 1/2 itches. 

[PalmatierMeg]

Definitely untie it so it can be a palm. Looks like it has sunburn so keep it in mostly shade. Don't trim off leaves unless they are brown. The palm reabsorbs nutrients from older leaves to grow new ones. Back off on the fertilization - every two weeks is way too often. I fertilize my container palms 2-3x per year and never in winter. Your fertilizer should be timed release pellets and should contain the major elements (N=nitrogen, P=phosphorus, K=potassium) as well as all the minor elements. Avoid blue granular houseplant fertilizer.

If it were my palm I would repot it into a pot 12-14" deep. Right now it is potted too high. Does that pot have multiple drain holes? Never let palm sit in stale water or you risk root rot. What is in the potting medium? Your palm needs a light, loose, coarse medium. Avoid Miracle Gro products and cheap black muck from the dollar store. I mix my own planting medium: 1/3 Kellogg brand garden soil, 1/3 rehydrated coco coir, 1/3 perlite (pumice works but no nurseries/garden centers in FL seem to know what pumice is). Anyway I do see some perlite in your pot.

[Rchrysanthi]

This is the fertilizer I’m using. The mix is a sandy soil our local garden center has, peat moss and perlite. The pot has multiple drainage holes. 

[Harry’s Palms]

As was stated , I think it just needs to be untied and kept in a shady outdoor spot . I wouldn’t use that fertilizer, instead , just keep it neutral for a while . Repot as was suggested . Then , get a good fertilizer that is time release instead of the one you have been using. The milder , organic ones work best for potted plants , IMHO. Harry

[PalmatierMeg]

Yeah, don't use that stuff in your photo despite its protestations it is safe to use on palms. Palm roots can suffer serious maybe fatal root damage from fertilizer burn, which is why timed release fertilizer is so important. You should be able to find Nutricote or Osmocote at any garden center. And you don't have to mix them with water and apply via sprayer and hose.

[Rchrysanthi]

Here is an update. I think she’s looking worse not better. Should I take her back inside? 

[Rchrysanthi]

I did repot as suggested. Here are the roots. I moved her into the shade as well.