Phoenix palm tree frond dropping a lot.

[lucky777]

Hi Guys, 

I noticed our phoenix palm recently is dropping lots of fronds, dropped 4 fronds in last month (used to me much less). Now right side of the tree has much less fronds than left side. Tree skin looks very flabby, some area can push in with your figure (first photo). I am newbie on these plants, and wondering if this tree needs any help at all. 

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[AZ_Palm_Guy]

Hello @lucky777 welcome to palm talk. Do you have a picture of the entire canopy of the palm? From what you are describing it sounds like it could be fusarium wilt. Which is a fungal infection mostly in the soil. Once it takes hold of the CIDP it is lethal, will kill your palm and it can still spread to other canary islands you have if you have any. I'm hoping it is not fusarium wilt but it sounds like it with some of the symptoms you're describing. I hope someone else can chime in to diagnose it.

Where do you live? Cali? Florida? Maybe someone in your neck of the woods can assist.

[lucky777]

Hi AZ_Palm_Guy,

Thanks for the feedback. Figures crossed its not fusarium wilt. 

I m actually in Australia

[AZ_Palm_Guy]

Now seeing the entire crown the palm looks pretty healthy.  I was expecting to see entire dead fronds on one side. But thankfully that's not the case. Probably just dropping dead fronds as it continues to grow, which is normal. Just make sure to water this palm and give fertilizer 3x a year. Water especially during the summer time, just be careful not to over water especially depending on what type of soil you have. Sandy soil doesn't hold onto water as well as clay. But other than that gorgeous specimen palm.

[lucky777]

3 minutes ago, AZ_Palm_Guy said:

Now seeing the entire crown the palm looks pretty healthy.  I was expecting to see entire dead fronds on one side. But thankfully that's not the case. Probably just dropping dead fronds as it continues to grow, which is normal. Just make sure to water this palm and give fertilizer 3x a year. Water especially during the summer time, just be careful not to over water especially depending on what type of soil you have. Sandy soil doesn't hold onto water as well as clay. But other than that gorgeous specimen palm.

That's a relief, thank you sir.

Any particular season on when to fertilise the plant please? Thanks.

[AZ_Palm_Guy]

No worries, I'm glad it's nothing major. Just keep an eye on it.  The palm has a great crown on it! 

As far as fertilizer I would do something that is slow release that feeds for months. I would fertilize once in spring, summer and fall. I don't fertilize in the winter because it can get too cold.