New Arenga Dwarf Sugar Palms

[oneslip]

Hello, I'm new to the forum. I recently had 5 Dwarf Sugar Palms 6' tall (Arenga) installed and have a question about watering them. I really was not provided clear watering instructions with these particular palm species. I have planted Sylvester, Robellini and Queen palms in the past in which you're supposed to water everyday for the first 90 days. I've had these planted for approximately 4 weeks and have watered everyday and to me they are showing signs of overwatering (black spots on fronds) so now I am going to every other day or every couple of days. Also, from what I've read that Arenga's like moist soil not wet to have root rot and if in full sun to fertilize monthly. When they were put in one person said not to fertilize until after a month and another said after 3 months.  Mine are in full sun and the positive is they are all having new growth shoots so I'm hoping maybe it is just transplanting shock what I'm seeing. 

Hoping there are some more experienced folks on the board that know more about the Arenga (Sugar) palms and proper care for newly planted ones.  I've tried researching more on the net and there really is no info on instructions on watering for newly planted Sugar Palms. Some general palm things I have read say water everyday for the first week, then every other day for the second and third and after that normal watering of every few days. I appreciate any info, thank you.

[EPaul]

Can you post a few photos? Also, what area of FL are you in? Type of soil? I believe your instincts are right, my arenga engleri doesn't seem to like being watered too frequently. I'd recommend cutting back quite a bit, but there may be other more experienced palm enthusiasts on here with a differing opinion.

[Jeff zone 8 N.C.]

These are pretty tough palms but I only have babies so far. This link will help as well as I am sure some other Florida people will chime in. See "Culture"     https://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Arenga_engleri

[oneslip]

In Jacksonville- Zone9B. Here are some pics, appreciate any info.

[RJ]

Jacksonville has Z9b area’s? 

[Merlyn]

Arenga Engleri is one of my favorites.  I have 8 clusters planted and 4 are about the same size as your photos.  I would agree with the water daily now, every other day after a few weeks.  It is hot and dry right now and Engleri sometimes prefer some shade.  Some of mine are in full sun, some in part shade...both look great.  Fertilize about a month after planting, I'd do a smallish amount on each at first and then more later. 

The spots are likely a potassium deficiency, it causes yellow/orange/brown/black spots like that.  It's common after planting, so as long as the new fronds look good I wouldn't be concerned.  Overwatering looks different on palms, with droopy fronds and losing color due to root rot.  Underwatering is frequently dry brown tips on old fronds first.  

[oneslip]

Thanks for the feedback. How often are your Arenga's getting water now that established? Also do you have any suggestions on best practices to keep cleaned up? I've heard they need to be "cleaned up" every so often.

[Merlyn]

@oneslip mine are on a drip irrigation system, a large clump gets two or three 1gph button drippers running 30 minutes per day = 1-1.5 gallons per day.  This is only to keep things from going totally dry during hot droughts like our normal May and October.  

As far as cleaning them up, they are a clustering and monocarpic palm.  You'll need to cut off dead fronds periodically, but they are not fast growers so don't need a lot of maintenance.  Monocarpic means that a single trunk may grow up to 8 to 15 or so feet tall and flower.  When the trunk flowers it dies.  Since it is a clustering palm the other trunks will keep on growing, so you can either leave the dead trunk or prune it out.  Each individual trunk may grow for 5 to 10 years, so it's not a big deal to occasionally cut out a dead trunk.