Please help me save this palm.

@timgwen

Welcome to PalmTalk!  The good news is that two out of three trunks look good.  The bad news is that the one with the brown crown is likely DOA.

You're from Texas.  If you want, I can move this topic to the Cold Hardy section of the forums.  There are a LOT of people from Texas that post there.  You didn't do anything wrong by posting it in General Discussion, just want you to get the best and most appropriate feedback possible.  For now, I'll let the post here.  If you want it moved, let me know and I'll take care of that for you.

Yes, please move the post. Sorry about that.

 

Looks as though there's a small offset emerging from the base of one of those Meds. What do you believe to be the cause of one of the 3 failing?

There are several pups? growing from below. I have no idea why the one failed.  It seemed to happen so fast.  There is a hint of green from a spear growing from middle. Can it be saved? Also,  I don't know my palm terms very well. 

If there is any green at all, don’t cut that trunk . It could very well come out of it 🤞. I would give it every chance to come back. These are normally very easy to grow. Harry

What can I do to help save it?

Just keep watering as normal . How long has it been in the ground? To me , it looks like it has been there a while so everything should be ok. No clue how one trunk would do that. I have seen multi Phoenix Roebelini where one will die but they are individual palms planted in tandem. Your Chamerops Humilus is a clumping palm so that is a mystery. One thing I would do is clear the grass from around the base , but I doubt that had anything to do with the problem . I just like to clear around my palms and mulch for good , even moisture retention. Just a thought, Harry

Bizarre. If it were mine, I would cut the trunk down 2 inches and see if there's live tissue.

6 minutes ago, SeanK said:

Bizarre. If it were mine, I would cut the trunk down 2 inches and see if there's live tissue.

That may be a good idea , I’ve never done that but I know it can work. Right now the OP says he sees green on the new spear so maybe there is hope? I am a die hard palm resuscitator though. 😂Harry

My username is confusing, but I'm female and i know nothing about caring for palms.

I hoping to save this yellow guy. Any suggestions are very welcome.  Also have a sylvester palm posted on cold hardy thread that needs saving. I really need help/suggestions. Please and Thank-you. 

Gwen

30 minutes ago, timgwen said:

My username is confusing, but I'm female and i know nothing about caring for palms.

I hoping to save this yellow guy. Any suggestions are very welcome.  Also have a sylvester palm posted on cold hardy thread that needs saving. I really need help/suggestions. Please and Thank-you. 

Gwen

Gwen, that is unusual for a Chamaerops humilis (Mediterranean Fan Palm).  In your area there shouldn't be any issues with heat or cold for these palms - they are very tough.  The new growth spear comes from the very top of the crown in the center.  Did you say there is a green spear or just partially green?  It would be helpful to take a pic of the newest spear to see if it's necessary to cut the trunk.  If it's green and solid attached it should be fine.  If it's partially green and pulls out easily with a slight tug there's likely rot inside.  Has it been watered with a sprinkler from above?  These palms don't like being watered in the crown.

2 hours ago, timgwen said:

Yes, please move the post. Sorry about that.

 

So moved.  No need to apologize.  The folks above really know a lot about Texas gardening.

Not watered.  Had a reasonable amount of rain lately; and more to come this week. I'm in central Texas.  It's partially green, like barely.... I'll take a pic in the morning. Should I be worried about the other 2 trunks?

Should I be worried about the other 2 trunks?

 

Gwen

I wouldn’t worry too much unless you start seeing a similar condition but they look good to me. Another thing to check is the stability of each of the trunks. They should be firm and not wobbly . With a nice circle of cleared soil around the base about equal to the size of the crown , you will be able to tell if the entire root ball is getting enough water. These can handle a bit of drought but best to keep them watered , not soaking but nice even watering depending on the time of year their needs will change. That is a very nice palm that took a while to get that large. Harry

Thank you! All 3 trunks are very stable. Even the yellow one!!

I'll clean out the base of the tree. Should I fertilize, too?

Here is a picture of a small green spear coming out of middle.

41 minutes ago, timgwen said:

... Should I fertilize, too?

Personally, I tend not to fertilize an ailing palm. Others may have advice in which they've used weak fertilizer solutions or magnesium sulfate (Epson salt) etc.

5 minutes ago, timgwen said:

Here is a picture of a small green spear coming out of middle.

Certainly promising!

Is the lawn irrigated?

The problem palms looks furthest away from the lawn.  I would let a hose dribble for a day or two to ensure proper moisture at the roots. 

I also see plastic at the base, is this blocking rain/moisture?

Also, how long have these been in place?

Just my thoughts.

2 hours ago, timgwen said:

Here is a picture of a small green spear coming out of middle.

That new spear looks good - you don't have to do anything more for it but let it grow out of it.  It might take awhile before it looks like the other two again.  Maybe some dogs have been marking their territory with that palm!

Since Chamaerops humilis is a suckering palm even if the main stem dies from some strange event the pups can continue growing.  This happened with mine in February 2021 when it hit 9°F in San Antonio

Thank you so much. I'm so encouraged.

So, I shouldn't cut away the dead yellow fronds? 

Probably a dumb question but do those yellow fronds have a chance to turn green again?

 

Gwen

2 minutes ago, timgwen said:

Thank you so much. I'm so encouraged.

So, I shouldn't cut away the dead yellow fronds? 

Probably a dumb question but do those yellow fronds have a chance to turn green again?

 

Gwen

I would leave the dead fronds in place to provide support from the wind for the new fronds.  The damaged fronds won't turn green again.

😊👍

Mark the height of the green spear against one of the dead stems. You will see more easily how much the green is growing. Use a permanent marker 

Will do. Thank you so much for your help!!

 

Gwen

On 4/30/2025 at 2:01 AM, Harry’s Palms said:

If there is any green at all, don’t cut that trunk . It could very well come out of it 🤞. I would give it every chance to come back. These are normally very easy to grow. Harry

this type of palm is very robust and tolerates a lot. it even came back after -14 degrees celsius with a friend, it just needed time. i can only agree with harry. the friend lives in switzerland where it can get very cold, but then quickly hot again in the canton of wallis. also a very dry climate where he lives, with hot summers by local standards.

On 4/30/2025 at 8:50 AM, timgwen said:

Here is a picture of a small green spear coming out of middle.

I do believe there is hope for that one , but it will take a while. Just be patient. I have never fertilized my Mediterranean Palm . Just a bit of mulch now and then , water and watch it grow! Harry

Hi again. Was i supposed to put peroxide on my mediterranean palm?

The peroxide will never hurt