Foxtail palm looks sick, need help

[nessa]

Not sure what I'm doing wrong,  if I'm overwatering or under.  Just planted them in spring. Wondering if they have root rot. Also what's a good watering schedule for them in california.

[Merlyn]

@nessa I'd guess it's mostly sunburn from the hot/dry summer and heat reflecting off the wall.  Usually palms are grown under shade cloth, so the existing fronds might burn when put into full sun.  The new frond looks a little more "compact" than the older ones, and also in the pictures looks pretty green.  If that's the case then it's adapting to the sun and should look better when the next set of fronds completely grow out.

I'd guess it needs more water, but I am in swampy FL where everything is drenched in daily afternoon thunderstorms.  Hopefully some CA people can suggest watering amounts.

[Palmerr]

Yeah water and cut of the dead fronds or just keep em on till the shaft comes off naturally (Better idea) I know it's tempting, but the shaft will fall off eventually

[Harry’s Palms]

I have lost two Foxtail (Wodyetia Bifurcata) in Southern California. I have learned that they are hit or miss here . I do know they love heat so yours should be fine once it hardens off . As Merlyn says they are usually grown under shade cloth to get max height when young . They like fast draining soil and do not like “wet feet” so , once established , they can have short dry periods. Corona is warm so they should like it there . The new growth should be tighter held leaflets and slowly turning dark green. The older fronds will eventually die off , as you are seeing there. After what I learned here on PT I have decided to give these another try . Mine are smaller but coming along nicely , I am about a year ahead of you on hardening off and they are picking up speed . They were not that healthy when I got them ( 5 ) from a private grower. HarryOn the larger one you can see the original frond with the leaf spacing compared to the new fronds that are tightly held leaflets. They keep getting darker with age , you can see the lower frond almost completely dark and the top frond that just recently opened just starting to turn dark . The smaller palm on the left is completely dark. Again , you can see the difference of the new frond versus the old. I am keeping my fingers crossed as we head into the second winter for these guys . They are the best of the five I have. Harry

[Chris Chance]

I would definitely recommend a good layer of mulch and plenty of water when it's hot. It takes time for palms to establish so they might look bad for the first year or two but mulch, water, and fertilizer will make all the difference. Let the little one acclimate and it should take off as long and frost doesn't hurt it. 

[SeanK]

Folks need to stop planting things in front of cement walls. It seems to be a common habit 

[Harry’s Palms]

Oddly enough , the Wodyetia in this area that are planted in front of cinder block or stucco walls are doing the best. It must be their love of heat. My friend has one of the healthiest ones I’ve seen and the front of his house . It is south facing and the palm is right in front of the outside of his house . It is now producing viable seed! Harry

[happypalms]

6 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

Oddly enough , the Wodyetia in this area that are planted in front of cinder block or stucco walls are doing the best. It must be their love of heat. My friend has one of the healthiest ones I’ve seen and the front of his house . It is south facing and the palm is right in front of the outside of his house . It is now producing viable seed! Harry

Thermal mass a big bonus in the cool winter months. 
Richard