King Palm Needs HELP

[SCVpalmenthusiast]

I bought a 15 gallon king palm a few weeks ago. It looked great initially, but after this intense heat wave high 90s. I’ve noticed the fronds are looking desiccated. I haven’t been deep watering the king because its in a shaded area that receives water from sprinklers. My teddy bear palm looks great in a similar area with similar moisture. But this king palm isn’t looking so hot. Should I start deep watering, fertilizing? Help appreciated.

[Harry’s Palms]

I wouldn’t add fertilizer but I would keep it well watered. It has been very warm (hot!) in our area too. My wife has been watering every day with a good soaking while I work . Occasionally a King palm can sulk a bit when first planted and the recent high temps certainly aren’t helping . It looks like above average temps are going to continue for a while so keep it well watered and maybe a market umbrella for shade until it shows signs of rebound. I have done that in the past and it helped. Harry

[SeanK]

Does that wall get hot?

[SCVpalmenthusiast]

12 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

I wouldn’t add fertilizer but I would keep it well watered. It has been very warm (hot!) in our area too. My wife has been watering every day with a good soaking while I work . Occasionally a King palm can sulk a bit when first planted and the recent high temps certainly aren’t helping . It looks like above average temps are going to continue for a while so keep it well watered and maybe a market umbrella for shade until it shows signs of rebound. I have done that in the past and it helped. Harry

Thanks Harry, this is how it looked last week

The juvenile kings seem to be sensitive. I will keep watering a bit more than sprinklers. 

[MJSanDiego]

Do not ferilize. If its getting enough water it will shoot out nice new spears soon due to the heat. The transition from shade grown nursery palms to sun is rough at first om many palms but notoriously the Kings.. The old leaves will go ragged. Unfortunately March is breaking all time record high temps and low humidity across Southern California, in what would normally be an ideal time to plant a King palm. Once temps get over 90, the palm's capacity to pull in water fast enough through the roots is diminished. Plus the roots are not yet in the. native soil. It may look rough for awhile but it will eventually take off if you soak it daily when highs are above 85. At least its March with less UV and daylight hours, so it will help transition better

[Foggy Paul]

Our kings burned when planted and that was in typical west side SF weather, no heat waves as I recall. They are slowly growing out of it. This is their second year in the ground so I hope they pick up speed.