Bismarck Palms not doing well - what am I missing?

[Coolkid1984]

I am in Arizona, where it's currently 100F/37C.  Last October, I inherited a backyard with 5 different palm tree varieties, a dozen trees at all, all are on the same watering schedule.  4 of the varieties look beautiful, especially after trimming.  Bismarcks are the only ones that do not look very well.  They did look great in October but over the winter haven't looked great.  Picture attached of them after being trimmed.  Is there something I am missing with them - watering change or some kind of palm food/nutrients to check for and or/add? I have not added anything other than water.  Thanks in advance!

[SeanK]

You don't mention the other palms. Is the current water regimen the same as last year? I suspect the Bizzies want more water than the other palms; just guessing.

[Silas_Sancona]

2 hours ago, Coolkid1984 said:

I am in Arizona, where it's currently 100F/37C.  Last October, I inherited a backyard with 5 different palm tree varieties, a dozen trees at all, all are on the same watering schedule.  4 of the varieties look beautiful, especially after trimming.  Bismarcks are the only ones that do not look very well.  They did look great in October but over the winter haven't looked great.  Picture attached of them after being trimmed.  Is there something I am missing with them - watering change or some kind of palm food/nutrients to check for and or/add? I have not added anything other than water.  Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the forum..

Your situation mirrors what i've been seeing in some older Bismarckia specimens here in Chandler ..and some other areas of town..

Aside from a lack of water ..if that is an issue, Possible yours are suffering from a nutrient issue, such as a lack of Boron, Potassium, and / or Magnesium..

Could be we're seeing issues related to the extreme heat / pretty much no rainfall all of last summer, and in '19 / 20.. but, see plenty of healthy specimens around too.   Time will tell but, for example, these, near the In and Out near Chandler Fashion have been in slow decline for the last few years..  Really slid down hill since last summer.






Have seen smaller specimens where the central spear had rotted -for whatever reason- and the overall look of the crown deteriorated afterward as well.

Again, hopefully yours are experiencing an issue that can be easily resolved.

[Coolkid1984]

Thanks, yes, mine look similar.  Is there a nutrient product you can recommend I can buy and try applying?

[Silas_Sancona]

32 minutes ago, Coolkid1984 said:

Thanks, yes, mine look similar.  Is there a nutrient product you can recommend I can buy and try applying?

Look for a good Palm fertilizer ( Time release is best with Chemical / Synthetic Fert. options ) w/ a fertilizer ratio of 8-2-12 ...or similar. 

That breaks down to approx:  8% Nitrogen,  2 % Phosphorus ( Plenty of that element / nutrient naturally in our soil. Don't need to add more ) , and 12% Potassium ( K ) content, ..plus minor elements / nutrients ..Minor elements = things like Boron, Manganese, Magnesium, Sulfur, etc content.

Can also purchase a product called Sul-Po-Mag / Langbeinite which are a slow release, organic high K / micro nutrient fertilizer source..

Pretty much every nursery in town like Summerwinds / Treeland, will have either product.  Potassium is one of those nutrients a lot of plants need a lot of,  but typically don't get enough of because Potassium has a tendency to quickly move through the soil.  Langbeinite ( the K content of Sul Po Mag also ) is a slow release source, so, pulses of the K content are only released when the crystals are wetted.  Product itself looks a lot like rock salt.

For a good Palm special fertilizer, you might take a look on the local Ewing Irrigation Supply's website and see what palm special they carry. Not the cheapest option, but, if a slow release ( ...say a 3 month slow release ), you might only apply it 2 or 3 X's a year, so the slightly higher price is worth paying for.

That said, you absolutely don't need to spend a fortune to get your hands on a good product.. Middle ground will give you just as good of results as the best most expensive option out there.

[Coolkid1984]

Appreciate it!