Need Advice on Sylvester Palms - Are They the Same?

[Ivy]

Hey everyone,

I hope you're all doing well. I have a question about my Sylvester palms, and I'm hoping someone here can help shed some light on this.

I have two Sylvester palms in my garden. I've had them for about 5 months now, and I've noticed a significant difference between the two. The one on the left has been thriving, with healthy fronds that have grown and spread beautifully. However, the one on the right doesn't seem to be doing as well. Its fronds have always appeared smaller, and they haven't grown or spread like the one on the left.

I'm a bit puzzled by the variation and I'm wondering if it's normal for Sylvester palms to have such differences in growth, or if there might be an issue with the one on the right. I've been giving both of them the same care and attention, so it's a bit perplexing to me.

Has anyone experienced something similar with their Sylvester palms? Do you think this is a common variation in growth, or should I consider replacing the one on the right? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[96720]

I’m not a Sylvester expert but the one on the right looks fine the one on the left looks like it’s hungry for fertilizer from what I have read on here Florida has a problem with I think it’s potassium and magnesium some Florida palm people should chime in!!

[PalmatierMeg]

Fertilizer blackout is over so you need to feed them time release fertilizer with all the minor elements. Consider adding additional potassium and magnesium. Be aware that most Phoenix palms in FL are hybridized to some degree. Also, palms like people will vary in size, appearance and growth speed as well as genetics. You will never get two palms that will be mirror images of each other.

[Merlyn]

Both need fertilizer, and I'd add a handful of Magnesium Sulfate (I use Rite-Green brand) to each one.  For the right one, I can't tell if it has new "spear" leaves growing.  A closer view of that palm would help diagnose any problems.  You can also take a sharpie and horizontally mark the new spears across against adjacent fronds.  That way you know how fast new fronds are growing...and you know if they are just sitting there.  Just be careful of the ridiculously stabby thorns!!!  If it's been 5 months they should be growing pretty steadily.  If the right one has good new spears it might just need some fertilizer to get moving.  The rule of thumb is 1.5lb of 8-2-12 fertilizer per 100sqft of canopy size.  So for a 12' diameter Sylvestris that would be ~1.75lb per palm.

If you are not already aware, there's a fatal disease affecting Phoenix palms in Florida.  It's especially lethal to Sylvestris and Dactylifera.  It was originally called Texas Phoenix Palm Decline (TPPD) but recently renamed "Lethal Bronzing."  Yours don't show any visible signs of it, but it's something to keep in mind.  I have three Sylvestris in my yard out of ~320 palms in the ground, and I wouldn't plant another one here.

[DonPalm]

They look fine to me considering only 5 months in the ground. May still be going through some transplant shock.
I have 4 syl. palms and they looked like crap the first year.  
As others said, make sure you are using a fertilizer formulated for Palms.  
Keep us updated with photos.

[Ivy]

Hey everyone thank you so much for your help and advice. I really appreciate it. Just wanted to check in and give an update. The Sylvester on the left was replanted in March (~ 3 months ago). We needed it to be raised higher in order to extend our retaining wall. It’s been doing amazing since that move. The one on the right is still a lot smaller and isn’t growing as quickly but its come a long way from how it was before. 

[sonoranfans]

what is your fertilizer regimen, how often do you water and with what kind of irrigation(drippers sprinkler)?  Also what soil, clay, sand, high drainage low drainage.  I see MG, K deficiencies on both but the one on the right has no new growth, that is a concern.  The one on the left might be fine with just adding some sulpomag (KMag, Langbeinite are other names used)