Yellow spots on Canary leaves

[GMann]

I recently planted this Canary Island Date Palm that had been stuck in a 15 gallon container for far too long at the back of a nursery. It has lots of yellow spots on the older leaves. Is this a nutrient deficiency? Potassium? Magnesium? or a pest? 

[LowDesertBoil]

Could be a watering/potassium deficiency. I have had palms that have done this; however, since I started fertalizing them I have not seen the yellowing continue on new growth.

[Merlyn]

@GMann I'd guess a potassium deficiency, if it's only on the older leaves.  Magnesium tends to show up at the leaf tips on oldest fronds first, and doesn't tend to be "spotty" or with necrotic blotches like your photo.  The spottiness *could* also be a scale or spider mite infestation, but the bugs would be obvious at a glance.  I'd think a good dose of palm-type fertilizer would help prevent it from spreading to newer fronds.  If you are planting it, just wait a few weeks before adding a *light* dose of palm fertilizer.

[Patrick]

Look up Laingbenite. That's what you want.