My Brahea calcarea / nitida - the problem?

[Tazkam]

Hello - I need some help, please.

I've attached 2 photos from 2 angles of my Brahea calcarea which was sold to me as a "Brahea nitida" (which I had to look up & found in my "Cultivated Palms" encyclopedia) by a local small nursery that doesn't feature many palms. It seemed to be a bargain price for what the nursery guy said is a relatively rare palm. He also told me throw some Epson salts around the soil when I plant it - it will be just fine. I did that, but wonder if I should continue that - I haven't.

I live in USDA zone 9b in Tucson AZ. As you'll see in the photos I have the typical sandy/rocky desert soil, and it drains well. When I purchased it about 1.5 years back, it was carefully planted, but via the nursery already had the lowest fronds clipped off. It had 3 green ones and a very small starter spear. 

In my yard it began getting some areas of brown on fronds facing the rising sun toward the north/northeast - and I was wondering if it was getting sunburn. I didn't notice any yellow, but there may have been. These fronds slowly became entirely brown/dead - and I trimmed them off this past winter. It's sprouting out new spears well, but now into spring the oldest of the newest fronds is turning brown, seems to have yellowed some first. Now the second oldest is beginning to do the same. I'm thinking it has a potassium deficiency. Or maybe the soil pH is too high? I did give a dose of controlled release palm fertilizer about one month ago. And twice previously since it was planted. 

I'm not sure what to do, as I'm concerned as the progression seems faster than last summer. I love this little one and want to help it!

Should I fertilize more often, or something else? When I first planted it, I watered once a week, now about once every two weeks as it's native to a dryer area. I've read it grows fine in calcareous soil, and that it doesn't tend to have any physiological problems to worry about.

What do you think,  and what suggestions do you have? Appreciate your input.

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, Tazkam said:

When I first planted it, I watered once a week, now about once every two weeks as it's native to a dryer area. I've read it grows fine in calcareous soil, and that it doesn't tend to have any physiological problems to worry about.

What do you think,  and what suggestions do you have? Appreciate your input.

Imo, it looks thirsty...    Since it is still young, fairly new in the ground ( Still building it's root system, even after a year and a half in the ground )   ..and despite being an "arid -adapted " palm sp.,   I myself might deep soak 1x week, rather than once every two weeks.   

This is the time of year when these would receive rainfall in habitat. 

Definitely would not fertilize right now, .unless you use something " soft " ..like Molasses.  Might dump Mesquite debris around it too to help keep moisture in the soil longer.  As it breaks down, it will release nutrients into the soil also. 

Only other thing that immediately comes to mind is maybe something having to do with the roots?  .. That said, others here will have better advise regarding how root -sensitive these can be when planting.  Have heard other Brahea sps ..like armata... can be a bit touchy when planting. 

[Stevetoad]

I agree with this. My super silver can’t get enough water. Don’t feed it but give it plenty to drink. 

[Meangreen94z]

It’s sunburn. Brahea calcarea/nitida in standard green form seem sensitive to heavy sunlight, I planted one in Austin in a similar time span to yours and it’s just as bad. This year I put a shade clothe over it for new growth, and planted something next to it that will eventually filter sunlight . Im hoping they were just green house grown and not a permanent thing, they also seem extremely slow growing. 

[SeanK]

Full sun in front of a wall that reflects heat. Hmm. Figure out a way to give it shade after 2PM and water it every day.

[Tazkam]

Thanks everyone who replied. Appreciate the help, and I'll implement your advice.