Hi all! Husband and I planted a Bangalow palm about 3 months ago, and as we’re headed into summer (we’re in Melbourne Australia), it has started browning. It’s in full sun pretty much all day, sometimes shaded when I have the umbrella up. I’m not sure what kind of soil we have but our other tropical plants are thriving in the same soil (golden cane palms, electric pinks). Not sure if there’s something we can do to help her or if we need to uproot and start again?? Photos attached, any insight is super appreciated! Thanks!!

 

 

Hi Marie, I’m also in Melbourne and have been growing Archontophoenix cunninghamiana for a few generations now. I’m guessing you bought the palm this spring? It’s really common for nurseries and chain stores to have grown them in a greenhouse or shade house from up north and the adjustment to our low humidity and sun usually leaves them looking like this until they establish. Your best bet short term is to get some shade over it all day at least for this summer and water heaps. Like everyday you really can’t overdo it until at least March or April. Hope this helps. 

4 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Hi Marie, I’m also in Melbourne and have been growing Archontophoenix cunninghamiana for a few generations now. I’m guessing you bought the palm this spring? It’s really common for nurseries and chain stores to have grown them in a greenhouse or shade house from up north and the adjustment to our low humidity and sun usually leaves them looking like this until they establish. Your best bet short term is to get some shade over it all day at least for this summer and water heaps. Like everyday you really can’t overdo it until at least March or April. Hope this helps. 

We will send you in on this one Tim it’s your turf sunny Melbourne.

I concur with Tim and will stress the watering too. Give it a good drink every day as in the wild they grow in wet places. To me the palm looks more thirsty than sunburnt as the leaflets look dead on the ends and with sunburn they die all over the leaf, but give it some shade from the midday sun at least just to be on the safe side. Welcome to Palmtalk and enjoy growing these magnificent palms.

Peachy

Yep , all good advice from my experience . I really never knew how much water they could take until , after reading this forum , I started increasing the water to my Archontophoenix . The Bungalow and Alexandria look much better . I always watered all the garden about the same . Now I stand next to the Archie’s for quite a while with the hose until the water puddles up , then come back with the hose 10-15 minutes later and have another go. Harry