Burretiokentia koghiensis Help Please

[Alex33]

New member/first post, long time collector.  I bought this Burretiokentia about 2 months ago.  It's a palm I'm led to understand likes water, however in the couple of times I've watered it, the oldest leaf immediately starts to yellow and die.  I cut back watering.  In addition to watering, I had given it some osmocote time released food (pink) and what I thought was a very judicious dose of the yellow Growmore orchid food. On the most recent watering, the oldest leaf did the usual yellowing to browning, however the emerging spike started to brown at the tip...and now is flopping over and blackened.  Pics are from a few days ago, except pic where it's flopping over, from just now.  Any suggestions?  Could the food have damaged the roots?  Maybe I let it get too dry in between waterings, despite it seeming to not like the water?  Very confused and worried I'm somehow killing this beautiful rarity.  Thanks in advance.

[Merlyn]

@Alex33 welcome to PalmTalk!  I have limited experience with Burretiokentia, since I just bought my first Hapala and Koghiensis from Floribunda in December.  My recollection is that Hapala prefers some shade when young, and Koghiensis might be the same.  Could the damage be due to sunlight or too strong of a grow light?

[Alex33]

I don't think so, it doesn't get much direct light and no damage that looks sun-damage-y.  I actually scooted it up closer to my big south facing window in case it wanted more light, as the spike wasn't moving at all from when I'd gotten it.  (Was doing the same stuff before, though the spike tip death is new post-move)...

[Johnny Palmseed]

The answer lies in what has changed since you bought it? If I were to guess, I would think you over fertilized it and it can’t handle it. You said you used 2 fertilizers and one was “very judicious”? That’s not a good idea. Overwatering can also be the culprit or a combination of the two. It looks very unhappy and you need to correct the problem quickly. Sudden decline is not usually salvageable. 

[Johnny Palmseed]

Well I wasn’t familiar with Growmore so I looked it up. That is most likely the problem. The yellow variety has a ratio of 20-20-20. That is way too high for a container palm that is indoors. And you probably used too much. Also, that is designed for orchids. I’m curious as to why you would choose this for a rare palm. Orchid fertilizer is for orchids. They do not typically sit in soil and their roots will not be encased by the product like your palm is. The Osmocote that you provided would have been fine and would likely not burn the plant. But a granular fertilizer is more like a high carb meal for plants. It’s useful to treat a deficiency rapidly but not for long term care. I honestly don’t know if you will be able to save this palm but maybe someone else can chime in with some advice.

[Alex33]

Urg...heartbreaking...thank you for your thoughtful reply...going to get rid of the osmocote and flush the soil with some distilled and hope for the best.  I've actually always used that combo with potted plants for about 20 years (historically the blue orchid food that has lower P until somewhat recently, usually at half strength or less every few months).  The orchid food for the micro nutrients.  Was actually the combo the rare plant guy I've always bought from used and recommended.  Especially heartbreaking as I bought the palm from my plant guy the day before he closed up shop after like 40 years...was a special buy...

[Merlyn]

@Johnny Palmseed oh yeah, 20-20-20 sure could give it fertilizer burn.  Now that you mention it, the older leaf does look like burn.  Osmocote is probably fine as a it is slow release.  Most palms are fine in pots with little fertilizer.  I would definitely remove all the granules you can find and flush out the rest.  I have no idea how to tell if it's a fatal overdose or just temporary damage.  I would mark the new spear horizontally with a sharpie so you can see visually if it is still growing.

[Alex33]

Thanks @Merlyn and @Johnny Palmseed.  Just flushed with about 4 gallons of tap water and another 1.5 of distilled...think that'll be enough?  I'll def do the sharpie thing...bleh...depressing.  Any recs for better palm fertilizing regimes you like would be greatly appreciated...

[Johnny Palmseed]

@Alex33 It’s hard to say what would be the right amount of water. Only you will know if you see any improvement. You will also have to be careful with overwatering while doing this. A palm that likes water can mean different things to different people. You should do a full rinse and then leave it alone. Allow the soil to dry out somewhat before watering again. In the future, I would recommend that you simply use a smaller dose of fertilizer. It’s not that you can’t or shouldn’t ever use orchid fertilizer, it’s just that you probably used too much. And you weren’t clear on how you applied it. Did you mix the granules in water first or put them directly into the soil? When I have used generic formulations like 20-20-20 in the past, I would dilute beyond the manufacturer recommended dose in order to limit burn potential. Honestly, the Osmocote was probably fine as a generic fertilizer. While it probably doesn’t have all the micros the palm would want, that could be rectified with a supplement. Palm Gain fertilizer is usually recommended on here and is available in small packages. I use Florikan which is a time release product available in my area. I hope that you can save this palm. It is one that I have been unsuccessful with here. Good luck!

[Merlyn]

@Johnny Palmseed what was your issue with Burretiokentia?  Mine are still in pots as I haven't figured out where to plant them yet.  I read that they might want some PM shade when they are young, but otherwise don't know much about what they like or hate.

[Johnny Palmseed]

1 hour ago, Merlyn said:

@Johnny Palmseed what was your issue with Burretiokentia?  Mine are still in pots as I haven't figured out where to plant them yet.  I read that they might want some PM shade when they are young, but otherwise don't know much about what they like or hate.

Bad soil and too much sun I think.

[deezpalms]

Palms want a 3-1-2 ratio in fertilizer 

[Matt in OC]

Is putting it outside an option? If you're in SoCal, I would think it'd prefer it and would enjoy the cool air/humidity in outdoor shade this time of year.