Question
I recently planted a few 7' Mexican Fan Palms in full sun; I live in Scottsdale AZ and It's now been
3 weeks and the fans are turning brown and dry; I've planted just to the top of the base, and I've been watering every other day, until established; Have I overwatered? or is something else a problem? Should I remove all the brown Fans/stems and hope the Palm recovers?

Please advise.

Answer
Bob,

Following are instructions for caring for your Mexican Fan Palms that I found on the following website: http://www.ehow.com/how_5996966_care-mexican-fan-palm.html
Since I live in northeast Indiana I have no experience in growing palms anywhere but in the ground. I will let you read the info below then I will make comments.

1 Provide the Mexican palm tree with well-drained, alkaline soil that receives full sun. A pH above 7.0 qualifies as alkaline. You can test the soil with a pH testing kit purchased from a nursery or garden center. If the pH measures below 7.0, you will need to add lime according to label instructions to raise it.

2 Dig the planting hole for the Mexican fan palm twice the width of its root ball and just as tall. The root ball should sit in the hole with the graft union (transition point between the trunk and the roots) above the soil line. If the graft union is below the soil line, your hole is too deep. Backfill the hole with the original soil from the hole and tamp the soil with your foot to remove air pockets.

3 Keep the soil around the Mexican fan palm moist before and after planting. Water the Mexican fan palm using a soaker hose, which will provide deep watering. Although palms like their soil moist, they do not like it wet, so allow the surface of the soil to dry out in between waterings.

4 Feed the Mexican fan palm a slow-release fertilizer after its first growing year. Most palms benefit from fertilization in the spring, summer and fall. Follow the package instructions to determine allocation amounts and time frames.

5 Prune the Mexican fan palm at least once a year. Use a pair of pruning shears or a pruning saw on young trees. Mature trees that are beyond your reach may require the help of a skilled arborist.

Read more: How to Take Care of a Mexican Fan Palm | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5996966_care-mexican-fan-palm.html#ixzz1HGcdFM2y  

Bob, I feel first you need to check and see if the graft union is above ground level. If not you need to unbury it. It absolutely cant be buried. Second I would check the soil acidity, you can get a kit to check that at most garden centers. These plants need an alkaline soil of 7.0 or higher. Yes, you are probably overwatering. You should not water unless the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. There will still be moisture lower in the soil but if those top inches do not dry out between waterings the plants roots can't breathe and will begin to rot. You need to let them get somewhat dry before watering. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck!
Darlene