Sylvester Palm fronds not completely opening up

[hardball28]

I have a Sylvester Palm that was transplanted 2 years ago.  Some of the fronds coming up are not opening all of the way.  Is there a reason for this?

Edited April 5, 2020 by hardball28
new photo

[JLM]

Boron deficiency? 

[Merlyn]

I had something similar happen to a Sylvester transplant, and also to a Spindle palm.  The Spindle appeared to have the leaflet tips not quite "fused" together.  Since it was at waist level I just carefully peeled apart some of the tips, and the rest of the leaf opened normally within a few days.  It's pushed out several leaves since, and all have been normal. 

The Sylvester had an unusually stiff brown "sheath" that was stuck to the leaflets.  I peeled it back carefully and it also opened normally in a few days.  It did that last spring and has pushed out 10+ leaves since that have all also been normal.

Both palms did get a good dose of palm-specific fertilizer in the meantime, so it could have been a transient nutrient deficiency like boron.  Here's a good overview on boron.  If you see any leaves with the "accordion" shape then your palm definitely needs extra boron in the fertilizer!

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep264

[hardball28]

I have started using this fertilizer but only about 2 months ago.    Says it has .08% Boron in it.  I live in Houston and we get lots of rain.  I have read that heavy rains will leach the boron out of the soil.  Does anyone have any experience with this type of fertilizer?    If we get heavy rains, what is the safest way to replenish the soil with boon?  Is there a better fertilizer to use?

Edited April 5, 2020 by hardball28

[Merlyn]

PalmGain is usually highly recommended around here, though I don't know about the mixture for your soil in TX.  Keep in mind that if it is a nutrient deficiency it'll take a while before new growth looks "normal."  The spears for the next leaves are probably at least partially formed now inside the trunk of the palm.  So it may take 1-2 sets of new fronds before you'd see a definite improvement.

[hardball28]

It's puzzling because, as you can see in the photos, there are several new fronds in the last month that opened up perfectly.  They looked a little shorter, but not too bad.

 

[PalmatierMeg]

If new fronds are getting smaller that is also a sign of nutrient deficiency.

[branislav]

17 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

If new fronds are getting smaller that is also a sign of nutrient deficiency.

Almost all palms I plant in full sun that come from a nursery where they are grown in partial or filtered light put out shorter (and denser) leaves. I always attributed this to the change in the amount of light they are getting. After a year or so they start putting out larger leaves due to grow.