Windmill Palm Suddenly Wilting

[knikfar]

Hello all, 

     I planted this windmill palm in my yard about 5 months ago. It was looking fantastic up until about two weeks ago. Then the lower fronds started to droop. Then the centers of all of the fronds started to yellow a bit and now I'm noticing the individual blades are folded in half. I live in Raleigh, NC where these palms are prolific. It's planted in a mostly sunny area that doesn't drain very well so I mounded it up when I planted it. But because it doesn't drain well and the area stays fairly moist, I haven't given it any supplemental water and it's been hot and dry for weeks. Could this be drought stress? I thought it could also be a fungus so I sprayed it with copper fungicide, just in case. Anyone have thoughts to share? 

[PalmatierMeg]

I can’t grow this palm so have no firsthand experience but maybe I can offer some thoughts and encourage other Trachy growers to chime in. You say it has been very hot and dry there, right? Is the ground the palm sits in dry or moist? Soggy? If soil is bone dry you should water. I’ve read Trachies love water but I would think even they have their limits, i.e., they aren’t semi-aquatic esp. in poorly draining soil. I am wondering if your palm is experiencing root rot because roots are suffocating from lack of drainage. Dying roots will cause leaves to fold up (as will extreme heat and drought), wilt and yellow.

[knikfar]

I'm thinking you might be right about the root rot. I have a soil moisture meter that says the soil in that area is wet. So I ordered a bonide product that's recommended to boost the plants immune response to the fungus that causes root rot. I knew this area was wet when I planted there so I amended the soil heavily and planted the palm on a mound, above the surrounding soil area to help keep the roots from sitting in water. But that might not be enough for this spot. 

[Palmlover_78]

I would dig it up cut away dead roots DO NOT SAW the roots, use a VERY sharp straight edge knife and cut straight in a downward motion. Check the spoil for water pooling. If so replant it some where else and pray

[knikfar]

10 hours ago, Palmlover_78 said:

I would dig it up cut away dead roots DO NOT SAW the roots, use a VERY sharp straight edge knife and cut straight in a downward motion. Check the spoil for water pooling. If so replant it some where else and pray

I ordered this and its supposed to be delivered today: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076HW6S9K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Some of the reviewers have said it curred their plants of root rot. So I'm going to give it a try. I hate to try something drastic like relocating when the plant is obviously already in stress.