Dactylifera Trouble! Help! Help!

[MichaelB]

Does anyone know what is causing this discoloration on the leaflet tips of this Phoenix dactylifera? It was pristine earlier this summer, and CP palm fertilizer was applied.  Is it nutrient deficiency or fungus? I was watering it a lot every day until this started, and have scaled back a bit since. Any ideas?

 

[Merlyn]

@MichaelB I'll guess a common leaf blight fungus...or...maybe fertilizer burn?  Dactylifera are generally happy in deserts, but do tend to get leaf blights in humid areas like Floriduh and GA.  Most of the ones around here have good looking new leaves, but by the time they get to a year or so old they start getting blotches.  If that's all it is, there's nothing to do other than avoid watering the leaves from a hose.  City water has chlorine compounds, and well water usually has a lot of minerals.  Both are potential contributors to leaf and crown fungal issues.

If it happened 1-2 weeks after fertilizing, it might be "fertilizer burn" from the percent that's "fast release."  I don't know anything about Carl Pool fertilizer, but most fertilizers are part fast release and part slow release.  Just guessing from the size of the photo, I'd probably put no more than a handful of fertilizer on that palm, or the other ones in the background...maybe less.  If you put a *lot* of fertilizer on it, then scraping some back away might be a good idea.  

[Johnny Palmseed]

If CP means Carl Pool, it looks like a good enough ratio for palms. Although, I can’t understand why it’s not allowed in 43 states according to the do my own website.

[MichaelB]

25 minutes ago, Merlyn said:

@MichaelB I'll guess a common leaf blight fungus...or...maybe fertilizer burn?  Dactylifera are generally happy in deserts, but do tend to get leaf blights in humid areas like Floriduh and GA.  Most of the ones around here have good looking new leaves, but by the time they get to a year or so old they start getting blotches.  If that's all it is, there's nothing to do other than avoid watering the leaves from a hose.  City water has chlorine compounds, and well water usually has a lot of minerals.  Both are potential contributors to leaf and crown fungal issues.

If it happened 1-2 weeks after fertilizing, it might be "fertilizer burn" from the percent that's "fast release."  I don't know anything about Carl Pool fertilizer, but most fertilizers are part fast release and part slow release.  Just guessing from the size of the photo, I'd probably put no more than a handful of fertilizer on that palm, or the other ones in the background...maybe less.  If you put a *lot* of fertilizer on it, then scraping some back away might be a good idea.  

 

Definitely not fertilizer burn, I was very conservative. And this started way after I fertilized. I have a very low mineral well, but high in iron, and never water the leaves. Before these pictures, I had already cut off the oldest leaves, which were much more blighted. I was already leaning toward fungus and think your first point is correct. I started noticing it worst after we had a several week long period of heavy rains. So, I think that further supports the fungal theory. I have two other Phoenix sylvestris nearby with zero signs of this condition. 

[MichaelB]

17 minutes ago, Johnny Palmseed said:

If CP means Carl Pool, it looks like a good enough ratio for palms. Although, I can’t understand why it’s not allowed in 43 states according to the do my own website.

I did not know that! WTF! I will look into this.

[Johnny Palmseed]

4 hours ago, MichaelB said:

I did not know that! WTF! I will look into this.

I should have phrased it differently. It’s not allowed to be sold by do my own. I don’t think it’s illegal or anything like that.