Help Identifying Disease or Issue with Potted Washingtonia Robusta

[PalmR00kie]

Hi all,
 
Summary: After the winter, I noticed what looks like a disease on the fronds of my potted Washingtonia Robusta. Could anyone confirm whether this is a disease or just damage from bugs, and suggest possible remediations to keep this plant healthy?

Background: I purchased this Washingtonia Robusta about a year ago, and it was very healthy in its first year.  I live in Austin, Texas (Zone 9a), and keep this plant on my concrete patio, which can very hot in the summer months 100-125 F.  After the winter when the fronds started growing again, I've noticed what looks like a disease or damage to the fronds stunting their size and growth. I have noticed spiders lurking around the plant's core, and I wonder if that or any other type of bug could be the cause. 

Any theories, insight, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! 

Jack

[Jim in Los Altos]

Do you have a place in the ground to plant it. These really don’t like being in pots much. Those distorted small leaves probably were in their formative stages during the time that black pot was subjected to abnormal heat. The ground is much more stable in temperature and moisture levels than that restrictive pot could ever be. If it has to stay potted, I’d get it in a lighter colored container or out of afternoon hot summer sun. 

[Fusca]

Welcome to Palmtalk @PalmR00kie.  Jim is right, better to put in the ground if possible but looks like you're in a condo or apartment so a lighter colored pot would help it.  Even though Washingtonia are desert palms and can handle Texas heat and dry conditions in the ground they'll need more water in a pot to look good.  The roots can be cooking in those conditions.

[SeanK]

I would pirate plant it somewhere that I could watch it grow. Somewhere it won't interfere with power lines or development. 

[5am]

First, the knife sitting on that ledge really makes me nervous. 

You might be in a different part of Austin, but looking at the Feb '25 data for Austin Executive Airport (USW00000230), it got down into the teens. I too grow palms in pots and down here in Harlingen when we get a freeze there might be an ugly frond or two that push out afterward. Even in a pot, your washy will outgrow that in no time. Give it water and fertilizer and leave it alone to do its thing.