Bismarck palm needs help

[normane]

Hello all,

I replanted this Bismarck in my backyard in West Palm Beach, Florida about 6 months ago. After initial shock, it seemed to be doing well, but

in recent weeks, not so much. The fronds are all turning brown and the trunk doesn't look good?

Any suggestions? - need help!

 

normane

[96720]

Did you dig it up and move it, if so how much rootball did you have these are supposed to be one of the hardest palms to move 

[AZ_Palm_Guy]

@normane i would have to agree with @96720 these palms do not like to be transplanted.  Doesn't mean it can't be done. These specific palms do not like root disturbance. Do you have any pics of how much rootball was included when the transplant occurred?

[sonoranfans]

These are so easy and fast to grow from seedlings, but difficult to transplant, palm professional recommended for that.  That one looks like it has had a tortured history even before transplanting.  Start new, that one even if it does survive likely wont recover fully.  In 10 years a 3 gallon will be 25-30' tall barring hurricanes.

[normane]

Thanks for the replies.

The tree was transplanted with a large root ball about 6 months ago. After a period of shock in first few weeks, tree was doing great until last few weeks, when everything fell apart and

fronds are all turning brown. Giving it fertilizer and plenty of water. Any suggestions?

 

-NE

[richnorm]

I would just leave it alone or (in your climate) replace. I don't think water or fertilizer will help. Good luck.

[Merlyn]

@normane it looks like the newer fronds are getting shorter and shorter, and there may not be a spear leaf.  A systemic fungicide might help, but my guess is that it doesn't have much in the way of roots. 

The standard check for a crown fungus is to pour regular household strength hydrogen peroxide down the center at the spear.  If it bubbles up you've got a fungal infection, i.e. "crown rot."  Once a week pours of hydrogen peroxide (maybe 1-2 cups per dose) might cure crown rot. 

If it's a root fungus, a systemic drench of something like Banrot (thiophanate-methyl + etradizole) might help. 

You also have a lot of super-green grass right up next to the trunk.  I'm guessing that's from the fertilizer you used.  Hopefully the fertilizer is a timed-release "palm special" type, something like generic Home Depot 6-1-8 or Lowe's 8-4-8 or PalmGain 8-2-12.  A fast release lawn fertilizer will burn the palm roots, and some palm weed killers can also kill palms.

One thing easy that you can do is mark the new spear leaf with a sharpie.  Just mark a horizontal line across it and a nearby leaf base.  If the spear is growing slowly but steadily (an inch or two per week during winter) then it still has a chance for survival.  If it's stationary for a couple of weeks while the other fronds die, then there's probably nothing you can do to save it.

[normane]

Thanks Merlyn,

There is a center spear, though not very long. I will mark it and we will see how it does.

 

 

[96720]

These are very difficult palms to move when they are large any jaring of the palm in moving can break the heart and they are toast I guess that is why you never see large ones being moved.