HELP! My Bismarks are dying

[Palm Haus]

I purchased these 2 Bismarks from the greenhouse (originally from Florida) on June 8th, 2025 and they were gorgeous.  10 days later they look like this.  The temperatures have been 15 degrees and warmer. Not a lot of rain but I lightly watered them 3 times in 10 days.  Can anyone suggest what happened?  I think they have died.  How do I rehab them?

IMG_20250619_071237.heic IMG_20250619_071231.heic

[Fusca]

10 hours ago, Palm Haus said:

I purchased these 2 Bismarks from the greenhouse (originally from Florida) on June 8th, 2025 and they were gorgeous.  10 days later they look like this.  The temperatures have been 15 degrees and warmer. Not a lot of rain but I lightly watered them 3 times in 10 days.  Can anyone suggest what happened?  I think they have died.

Kelly, welcome to Palmtalk!  I couldn't open the photos.  Since you're in Canada I assume that you have them in pots.  Were they shipped to you or did you buy locally?  One thing I can tell you is that Bismarckia nobilis is that they are very root sensitive and might be killed or severely set back if the roots were disturbed or broken.  They also don't like wet cold conditions.  How much cold have they been exposed to at night?  That might be another possibility but hard to say without photos or more info.

Jon

[Palm Haus]

Hello Jon,

I am so appreciative of your response and glad to be part of this group!

I didn't realize the files were not jpg and have reattached them here.  The Bismarks are still in their original pots and they were delivered from Florida on May 29th.  The lowest temperature they received was 55degrees and the daily temperatures were 68 degrees.  It has been super dry here but watering has been fairly light.  I am also desperate to know if they can be saved or whether they are "done".  I appreciate any assistance!

[Chester B]

It looks like the older fronds are drying up, but the new spear and newer fronds all still look good.  Is this correct?

If so I would say they got too dry on their trip.  Water them heavily where the water is coming out the bottom.  And then go back and do it again.  A lot of times the pot will be nothing but roots or the soil has become too dry that the water is running off on the sides and not getting to where it needs to go.  You can also put in a larger dish filled with water and let it pull the water from the bottom.

I've found large growing palms in pots to be pretty finicky and need almost daily watering.  I bought a Bismarckia last year of similar size and had it in a pot for probably two months before I planted it and almost watered every day, but I'm a lot hotter than Barrie.  You want it to dry out between waterings but at the same time making sure its getting a good drink.

[Fusca]

Yes, the palm in the first two photos still looks good but the second one is in trouble.  As @Chester B mentioned, not getting enough water and as long as the new spear looks good it should be fine.  If those decorative containers don't have drainage holes in them that can cause root rot if the palm sits in standing water too long.  To avoid that either drill some holes in the bottom of the pot or take the original container with the palm out when you water it and let the water drain out the holes well before putting it back in the decorative pot.  Secondly in winter you'll have to bring the palm indoors or into a garage where low lighting and low humidity will be challenging for the palm.

[Chester B]

3 hours ago, Fusca said:

Secondly in winter you'll have to bring the palm indoors or into a garage where low lighting and low humidity will be challenging for the palm.

Garages are too cold in Ontario in winter.  Up in Barrie it's likely to drop below freezing in the garage, so they'll need to be brought into the house.

My In-laws live in Barrie and surrounding areas.

[Palm Haus]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond!!!  I am so grateful!  I will try and water them a little more than I have been and we are coming into a heat wave so I will keep an eye on the water.  The pots have good drainage as I was super worried about root rot.  Does anyone recommend fertilizing them, and if so, which would you recommend?

~Kelly

[Palm Haus]

@Chester B That is super cool that your parents are in Barrie!  It truly is a small world😀

[Fusca]

2 hours ago, Chester B said:

Garages are too cold in Ontario in winter.  Up in Barrie it's likely to drop below freezing in the garage, so they'll need to be brought into the house.

My In-laws live in Barrie and surrounding areas.

Ha ha!  Yeah I can't relate to that.  The furthest north I've ever gardened is Corryton, Tennessee.  My garage in San Antonio never went below 40°F during Palmageddon in one week of February 2021.  My point was that it would be inhospitable for Bismarckia to endure 4-5 months inside a dark house (bad) or garage (worse)!

[Chester B]

8 hours ago, Palm Haus said:

@Chester B That is super cool that your parents are in Barrie!  It truly is a small world😀

I’m originally from the GTA. Our immediate family members all live in Southern Ontario. 

[Tom in Tucson]

Like @Fusca said, make sure the decorative pots have good drainage. These, and species of Brahea, have some of the most fragile root systems of all palms. If by chance they were removed from the ground and then potted up recently, then in my experience you half about a 50/50 chance of them recovering from transplant shock. Sometimes they don't die right away, but will sulk for years until the roots grow again, so be patient.

The next time you buy any, try to make sure they've been in their pots for at least a year if at all possible. Then your odds of success are vastly improved.

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