Cat Palms Not Healthy

[beachatlast]

Looking for some advice on these CAT palms in Fort Myers Florida.  They are in self draining pots and have not been manually watered since the rainy season.  I fear that they are not getting enough water as they have drain holes, I placed rock at the bottom of these and there really isn't a ton of space for dirt.   Although there is a water basin at the bottom that holds spare water.   They get direct afternoon sun, maybe 4-5 hours.   They also took on some salt water during H.IAN last year.  I am finally getting around to fixing my sprinkler system so they can be watered on a schedule.  I am thinking I should over water and see how it goes...  The less burnt-looking one gets less direct sunlight.  

 

[Looking Glass]

I planted a few of these babies 3 years ago, when we moved in,  to create a charming small border by the front porch.  They are half day direct sun.   
2020…

They didn’t stay small for long.   The ones in more sun are more healthy and vigorous.  I think they need a lot of water, being semi aquatic, and probably don’t like salt.  
2023…

 

 

I’d probably give yours a severe haircut for cosmetic reasons, hand water the hell out of them daily as long as it is warm out, and hit them with high quality palm fertilizer.   By next year, they’d probably look great, after that.  

[JohnAndSancho]

 

Different animal as mine was indoors. Basic $20 big box store plant, left it in the corner under a grow light. Fertilized it maybe twice in 3 years and fed it my dogs leftover water. I miss it. 

 

@Looking Glass yours is insane!

[beachatlast]

3 hours ago, Looking Glass said:

I planted a few of these babies 3 years ago, when we moved in,  to create a charming small border by the front porch.  They are half day direct sun.   
2020…

They didn’t stay small for long.   The ones in more sun are more healthy and vigorous.  I think they need a lot of water, being semi aquatic, and probably don’t like salt.  
2023…

 

 

I’d probably give yours a severe haircut for cosmetic reasons, hand water the hell out of them daily as long as it is warm out, and hit them with high quality palm fertilizer.   By next year, they’d probably look great, after that.  

Very nice, and thank you!

[SeanK]

Palms in pots never received sufficient water from rain, unless they're under a leaky gutter. As west FL had no rainy season in 2023, are you saying you've not watered them in over a year?

[beachatlast]

On 10/20/2023 at 9:29 AM, SeanK said:

Palms in pots never received sufficient water from rain, unless they're under a leaky gutter. As west FL had no rainy season in 2023, are you saying you've not watered them in over a year?

I did water them a few times before we left for Nebraska at the end of May but not again until we got back mid October.   But they have that resevoir in the bottom of the pot that holds water so I thought that might help, but I guess if it drys out too, then.. yes ok I get the point.