Help Reviving This King Palm

[Mat_Sheets]

I planted this king palm a little over 3 months ago. Within 2 months, it turned into what you see in the photo. I know that I was significantly under-watering it the first month I planted it because I previously overwatered a palm that was in this spot and it rotted out. So this palm was under watered for the first one-two months it was planted, but then I adjusted the watering to twice a week with slow drip emitters. The spears haven’t moved this whole time and I’m wondering if it can bounce back. What do you think?

[Rickybobby]

Maybe the fungus from the previous palms root rot is acting on this palm. Doesn’t look good. 

[Fishinsteeg234]

If the spears are still green I wouldn’t give up just yet. Looking at the base, it may be planted a little too deep? You don’t want any clay/soil touching the ringed trunk. The soil line when it was in the pot should be right at the soil line now in ground. Keeping mulch right up to the trunk of water loving palms can be OK because it still breaths, but clay can cause rot. I would also guess it got bad sunburn to the leaves going to full sun right away. Once sunburn hits the leaves, the leaves won’t recover. I would recommend cutting off the dead fronds, adding a shade cloth overhead held up by stakes until new spears open, move the clay off the trunk and dig down to make sure the trunk isn’t buried too deep, and keep well moist, but not over watered to where standing water is occurring. Good luck 

[James B]

Whether it’s transplant shock or fungal as previously mentioned it’s going to be a tough recovery. Archontophoenix is a Hardy palm. But once a palm gets that bad, it’s up to you to make the call to pull it or let it ride knowing it may never recover and look healthy again in terms of being robust. You may also have several rings that are much skinnier due to the toll taken on the palm. That said if you are in a hot climate especially a dry and hot climate Kings need much more water than 2x until the palm is healthy and well established.

[The Gerg]

I will add my two cents…..pictures can sometimes be deceiving, but if those two half circle trenches on both sides of the palm is where this palm gets it water from, it seems like you need water closer to the base of the trunk. I’m wondering how much water the roots are actually getting. Again, maybe the picture is deceiving to me. Do you ever give it extra water with the hose?

Not sure if it will recover or not, but I think it is dying of thirst. Sun burn damage as stated also playing a role.

[Merlyn]

I'd agree with a couple of other's suggestions for watering and planting depth.  With a newly potted palm you want to water near the trunks, since there are essentially zero roots outside the planted rootball.  It'll take several months for it to grow out real roots into the surrounding soil. 

It might be too deep, which could be a long-term issue.  Here's my favorite link for palm planting depth with some good photos and diagrams:

http://www.marriedtoplants.com/palms/palm-tree-growing-tips-mounding/

[Mat_Sheets]

  On 6/3/2022 at 6:37 PM, Rickybobby said:

Maybe the fungus from the previous palms root rot is acting on this palm. Doesn’t look good. 

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I worried about fungus from the previous rotted palm too, could be a potential problem.

[Mat_Sheets]

  On 6/3/2022 at 7:07 PM, Fishinsteeg234 said:

If the spears are still green I wouldn’t give up just yet. Looking at the base, it may be planted a little too deep? You don’t want any clay/soil touching the ringed trunk. The soil line when it was in the pot should be right at the soil line now in ground. Keeping mulch right up to the trunk of water loving palms can be OK because it still breaths, but clay can cause rot. I would also guess it got bad sunburn to the leaves going to full sun right away. Once sunburn hits the leaves, the leaves won’t recover. I would recommend cutting off the dead fronds, adding a shade cloth overhead held up by stakes until new spears open, move the clay off the trunk and dig down to make sure the trunk isn’t buried too deep, and keep well moist, but not over watered to where standing water is occurring. Good luck 

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It’s actually planted too high. If I remove the soil from around the base, you will see the roots. The soil you see is a 3 inch mound that is there to cover the exposed roots. The nursery planted it. But yes, I need to decided if I should just dig it up and plant a new one. I will ask the nursery about a replacement but I’m out of my 90 day window. Maybe they will take responsibility if it truly is planted too high.

[Mat_Sheets]

  On 6/3/2022 at 7:09 PM, James B said:

Whether it’s transplant shock or fungal as previously mentioned it’s going to be a tough recovery. Archontophoenix is a Hardy palm. But once a palm gets that bad, it’s up to you to make the call to pull it or let it ride knowing it may never recover and look healthy again in terms of being robust. You may also have several rings that are much skinnier due to the toll taken on the palm. That said if you are in a hot climate especially a dry and hot climate Kings need much more water than 2x until the palm is healthy and well established.

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Yea I severely under watered it for the first few months, and maybe still am. If I hadn’t underwatered, it would probably be fine. 

[Mat_Sheets]

  On 6/3/2022 at 7:25 PM, The Gerg said:

I will add my two cents…..pictures can sometimes be deceiving, but if those two half circle trenches on both sides of the palm is where this palm gets it water from, it seems like you need water closer to the base of the trunk. I’m wondering how much water the roots are actually getting. Again, maybe the picture is deceiving to me. Do you ever give it extra water with the hose?

Not sure if it will recover or not, but I think it is dying of thirst. Sun burn damage as stated also playing a role.

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Thank you for mentioning the trenches! I’ve been trying to get an answer on this. They are about 12 inches away from the trunk. I think you are right that it may be too far away for a palm this new. But yes, I have been giving it hose water directly over the root ball since a few weeks ago, but it might be too late. I also wonder how effective the trenches are at getting the root ball wet. I will move them in towards the trunk in the meantime while I decide if I’ll dig her up or not. Thank you for your advice 

[Mat_Sheets]

  On 6/3/2022 at 7:41 PM, Merlyn said:

I'd agree with a couple of other's suggestions for watering and planting depth.  With a newly potted palm you want to water near the trunks, since there are essentially zero roots outside the planted rootball.  It'll take several months for it to grow out real roots into the surrounding soil. 

It might be too deep, which could be a long-term issue.  Here's my favorite link for palm planting depth with some good photos and diagrams:

http://www.marriedtoplants.com/palms/palm-tree-growing-tips-mounding/

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Great diagrams, thanks for those! This palm is actually planted with the roots exposed (the nursery did it). You can’t tell from the pictures, but the dirt around the base is there to cover the roots, because I thought that would be better than having the roots exposed. But according to this source, that might be good for it! I’ll remove the dirt from the base and move the trenches much closer to the root ball. Thanks for the advice!

[enigma99]

You have more patience than I do. That size is probably like 1 year or so from a 1 gallon, and it will probably take years to really get healthy and growing at a quick pace?

[Jim in Los Altos]

King palms are semi-aquatic palms and need lots of irrigation if they’re not living in a pond or bog. I have groves of big mature ones and they are NEVER allowed to dry out. They are impossible to over water. Yours is severely drought stricken. I’d suggest supplementing the drip system with hose water and thoroughly wet the soil. Increase the duration and frequency of your drippers as well. Not all palms have the same water needs. Kings are very thirsty palms! 

[Merlyn]

  On 6/4/2022 at 4:34 AM, Mat_Sheets said:

Great diagrams, thanks for those! This palm is actually planted with the roots exposed (the nursery did it). You can’t tell from the pictures, but the dirt around the base is there to cover the roots, because I thought that would be better than having the roots exposed. But according to this source, that might be good for it! I’ll remove the dirt from the base and move the trenches much closer to the root ball. Thanks for the advice!

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Yeah, the ideal spot is with dirt just covering the roots but not covering any of the "woody" part of the base.  If it's planted a little bit high it is plant-safe but won't grow as well.  If it's a little too deep (or dirt covering the trunk) then it is much more susceptible to rot.  Especially with a new planting, it's better to err on the side of slightly lower dirt level.

[Jim in Los Altos]

Soil on the trunks of many palms is a bad idea but with King palms it’s not an issue at all. Exposed roots is a MUCH bigger problem. As I stated before, King palms, being semi-aquatic, rot is not an issue with them. I have several growing in stagnant water 365 day per year and the love it. My other 50 King palms are watered well and frequently. Keep yours wet and I can guarantee you that they will flourish. 
 

A few of my Kings…

[PalmatierMeg]

Archonotophoenix are solitary palms. You have 3 solitary palms forced into an artificial clump. They are thirst driven and competing on a water diet. All of them are stunted and may never reach their growth potential. The weakest will likely die. I don’t know how much you invested or how attached you are to them, but I would replace them with one healthy palm that I would water as needed. Archo cunninghamiana are common and easily replaced.

[aztropic]

Just not worth the effort trying to revive these... Fresh ones that look great are always available. Forget about the rot with the first batch. You just CAN'T over water this species. If you know you under watered the current planting,don't try and push it off as the installers fault that they died. Man up,accept responsibility,and make SURE the rootball is well watered on the next batch. Let a hand hose trickle right next to the trunk at least an hour or two per week in addition to your drip setup which should currently be applying 5 gallons per day until Thanksgiving on that new planting. 

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[Rickybobby]

It sucks too loose so many fronds. As the old crowns die off there will be no support for the remaining life 

[Darold Petty]

I agree with Meg, discard this group and start over with a single trunk, fresh palm.  

[Looking Glass]

If you want a group there, just put in three singles and space them out several feet from each other so they aren’t in a death match.  I don’t know much about your climate, but it looks like you are 10a/b with cool nights and little rainfall.  With warm days and cool nights….  You can grow some pretty nice stuff if you are willing to add the water.  I bet there are some nice Dypsis and other tropical things I couldn’t grow here because of our hot nights and wet season rains.   If you don’t want to add much water, you could also grown some palms that like it dry.  Lots of options out there.   Perhaps Cali folk could give you some ideas if you describe that spot and what you are going for.  
 

 

[Jim in Los Altos]

  On 6/7/2022 at 10:05 PM, Looking Glass said:

If you want a group there, just put in three singles and space them out several feet from each other so they aren’t in a death match.  I don’t know much about your climate, but it looks like you are 10a/b with cool nights and little rainfall.  With warm days and cool nights….  You can grow some pretty nice stuff if you are willing to add the water.  I bet there are some nice Dypsis and other tropical things I couldn’t grow here because of our hot nights and wet season rains.   If you don’t want to add much water, you could also grown some palms that like it dry.  Lots of options out there.   Perhaps Cali folk could give you some ideas if you describe that spot and what you are going for.  
 

 

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I have them growing in groves with multiple trunks touching each other. They actually grow much better for me than the ones I have as singles. The singles are subjected to more hot dry winds than the multiples. 

Edited June 8, 2022 by Jim in Los Altos

[Palm Tree Jim]

  On 6/7/2022 at 4:46 PM, Darold Petty said:

I agree with Meg, discard this group and start over with a single trunk, fresh palm.  

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Yes.

[Looking Glass]

  On 6/8/2022 at 6:41 AM, Jim in Los Altos said:

I have them growing in groves with multiple trunks touching each other. They actually grow much better for me than the ones I have as singles. The singles are subjected to more hot dry winds than the multiples. 

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Where they originally one-pot multiples that squeezed out?  Or close singles the filled in?  
I get nervous about multiples, but I do like groupings, so I tend to group singles together with a little space in between to lessen direct competition and deflection.   Can’t grow the king family too well here though.  It’s a bit too sandy, I think.  They are a rare sight in my area.  

[Jim in Los Altos]

  On 6/9/2022 at 8:15 AM, Looking Glass said:

Where they originally one-pot multiples that squeezed out?  Or close singles the filled in?  
I get nervous about multiples, but I do like groupings, so I tend to group singles together with a little space in between to lessen direct competition and deflection.   Can’t grow the king family too well here though.  It’s a bit too sandy, I think.  They are a rare sight in my area.  

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I have over 50 Archontophoenix. Some were in multi containers, many were singles, and a good number are volunteers that I’ve allowed to stay. 

[Ohana]

  On 6/4/2022 at 6:56 PM, Jim in Los Altos said:

Soil on the trunks of many palms is a bad idea but with King palms it’s not an issue at all. Exposed roots is a MUCH bigger problem. As I stated before, King palms, being semi-aquatic, rot is not an issue with them. I have several growing in stagnant water 365 day per year and the love it. My other 50 King palms are watered well and frequently. Keep yours wet and I can guarantee you that they will flourish. 
 

A few of my Kings…

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Dude those are beautiful kings! How old are those? I I call them my rockets because I put mine in the ground from a 2 gal pot 4 years ago and now they’re 15-18ft. I’m zone 10a

[Jim in Los Altos]

  On 6/9/2022 at 8:15 AM, Looking Glass said:

Where they originally one-pot multiples that squeezed out?  Or close singles the filled in?  
I get nervous about multiples, but I do like groupings, so I tend to group singles together with a little space in between to lessen direct competition and deflection.   Can’t grow the king family too well here though.  It’s a bit too sandy, I think.  They are a rare sight in my area.  

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These three Kings on the left were in one pot when I planted them about 15 or 16 years ago. Makes no difference health wise whether they grow touching each other or gave a little space. I have many multi planted palms of different species. 
 

 

 

 

[Jim in Los Altos]

  On 6/11/2022 at 11:45 PM, Ohana said:

Dude those are beautiful kings! How old are those? I I call them my rockets because I put mine in the ground from a 2 gal pot 4 years ago and now they’re 15-18ft. I’m zone 10a

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Most are 15 or more years old but many of mine are much younger volunteers that were truly rockets. 10a here as well. 

[Ohana]

  On 6/12/2022 at 6:46 AM, Jim in Los Altos said:

These three Kings on the left were in one pot when I planted them about 15 or 16 years ago. Makes no difference health wise whether they grow touching each other or gave a little space. I have many multi planted palms of different species. 
 

 

 

 

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Love it. Makes me exciting for mine. 2 yrs ago I bought a bunch of king palm seeds off Craigslist, now I have about 50-60 in 5 gal pots from it. I’d would love to see more of your palms, it’s inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

[Looking Glass]

  On 6/12/2022 at 6:46 AM, Jim in Los Altos said:

These three Kings on the left were in one pot when I planted them about 15 or 16 years ago. Makes no difference health wise whether they grow touching each other or gave a little space. I have many multi planted palms of different species. 

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The nice thing about those multi-kings, is that they seem to kind of arch away, then grow straight up.  I see the tall veitchia species do similar things around here.  

On the other hand, some palms planted in groups deflect off at 45 degree angles and seem to keep growing like that.  Veitchia merrillii does that here.   It’s super annoying on the border of small lots, as they plow into power lines, over roofs, and extend 10-15 feet over property lines on tight lots.  

Glad yours do really well.   Makes me think I can cram in some species a little closer.  


 

 

[Palms Brisbane]

Here is a habitat photo I posted before on PT. They sure do love water. I only see them near creeks in wild or very high rainfall areas.