Date Palm Help Needed

[jreich85]

I just got back from a one-week vacation and it is remarkable how much my Sylvester (or whatever hybrid it is) has declined in that time. It received Palmgain earlier this year and about two weeks ago I threw some Lesco 8-10-10 around it. I poured peroxide in the crown this morning and it fizzed some but nothing crazy. Any thoughts on what the problem could be? I grew this from seed and it’s been in the ground for 5 years always doing great until just now, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Merlyn]

It doesn't particularly look like a bud rot, but it may be worth doing a couple of squirts of hydrogen peroxide over the next couple of weeks.  My best guess is a sudden and severe boron deficiency, due to the accordion leaf shape of the new fronds:

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ep264

Figures 6, 10 and 11 look very similar to your palm.  Usually there's enough boron available from decomposing mulch, but in a grass bed it might not have that available.  And I think the Lesco 8-10-10 doesn't include Boron.  UFL's recommended treatment is 2-4oz of Borax powder mixed into 5 gallons of water, and not to repeat until 5 months later.  I'd probably do 1oz into 5 gallons and repeat in a few weeks.  Boron might kill the grass...it's a known risk shown in the UFL document.

[PalmatierMeg]

Remove grass/weeds in a 3' circle around the palm trunk then lay several inches of mulch. Do the same for future palm plantings. Grass/weeds will absorb essential nutrients away from a palm. A perfect lawn and palms do not play well together.

[jreich85]

Thank you @Merlynand @PalmatierMeg! I’ll include the grass removal in today’s yard work and borax powder treatment. This tree is way more important than that grass around it.