Newly planted Queen palms

[Golden10]

Good afternoon 

hoping someone can help. recently had two queen palms around the same size planted  in NE Florida last weekend. They were installed after the lawn was watered in the morning and I did notice the dirt was pretty damp when installed. The first day I watered them pretty good and put some mulch down. Wondering if I possible over watered. The following day we had a heavy downpour. I noticed one of the fronds turning brown and seems to have gotten worse. Not sure if I’m over reacting. My first set of queens and I’ve been wanting them for awhile just want to make sure. The other queen does not seem to be doing the same but it also is not exposed to as much water when sprinklers are on. Also wondering is “transplant shock” -a factor on these as well? I know my Washingtonias shed their outer fronds when transplanted. 

Thanks in advance 

[Fusca]

To me it looks like normal frond die-off - the lowest fronds on a palm will die first and newest fronds are pushed up from the center.  Let the frond go completely brown before cutting off because the palm is able to extract nutrients from that dying frond while there's still some green.  Queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) love water and they're not likely to be over watered.  

[Merlyn]

@Golden10 welcome to PalmTalk!  As Fusca said, "eating" the oldest frond is normal after transplant.  Leave the frond until it is completely dessicated.  It's pretty much impossible to overwater a Queen in sandy soil, though I suppose anything is possible.  I would do a deep watering every other day, and give it a handful of "palm" type fertilizer in mid-May.  The most recommended types on here are PalmGain and Florikan, though I use Sunniland 6-1-8.

[Harry’s Palms]

Just give them some time . They should settle in with regular watering . In Southern California they rarely need fertilizing , just water. Syagrus R. are very easy to grow but they are like most freshly planted palms and can lose a frond or two. Harry

[Golden10]

I appreciate the feedback!  just wanted to make sure this wasn’t a sign of anything I was doing wrong. I was reading online about over watering and root rot. Lots of mixed things between you can’t water them enough to don’t over water them. 

[Merlyn]

1 hour ago, Golden10 said:

I appreciate the feedback!  just wanted to make sure this wasn’t a sign of anything I was doing wrong. I was reading online about over watering and root rot. Lots of mixed things between you can’t water them enough to don’t over water them. 

Yeah, and one of the worst parts is that it's difficult to tell the difference between overwatering and underwatering.  Root rot has some of the same visual symptoms as underwatering, because the roots aren't pulling up enough water in both cases!  In general though:

• Underwatering - brown at the leaf tips first, followed by yellowing of whole leaves.
• Overwatering - fronds drooping, turning yellowish and/or losing color.

Since yours is a fresh transplant the brown leaf is just it "eating" the old frond, and likely not underwatering.

[Golden10]

Awesome thanks for the info 

another quick question I had was regarding bracing or strapping. I have noticed multiple other people have had transplanted queens but I do not see any bracing. Hurricane season is looming, I suppose I may have answered my own question. I know it can take some time for these to establish once transplanted. 

[SeanK]

Were these planted Mar 29/30?

I wouldn't expect normal transplant shock so quick. If the palms have only been there 4 days I'd guess sunburn.