Question

Date Palm   QUESTION: Mr. McCann,
I rescued this pygmy date palm 10 months ago.  
Admittedly, it was in bad shape; however, it improved for six months and all appeared "normal."  Two months ago, the new fronds began to brown at the tips; moreover, the existing leaves are becoming crispy brown.  I have neither under watered nor over watered, rather I fertilized in the spring using the 'recommended' portion of Miracle Grow.  Additionally, in the spring, I added soil mixed with Perlite and this only exacerbated the browning process.

Any assistance is much appreciated.

Sincerely,
Troy

ANSWER: Hi Troy, The image shows me a stressed Palm from what I will have to say is probably too small a container for that size plant, I would get a larger container, line the bottom with a drainage medium like pebbles or the like and make sure it is placed in a location where it gets at least 4-6  hours of direct Sunlight; the fronds should be misted frequently (being in a dry indoor location) to simulate humidity and fertilizing kept to a minimum until the roots establish themselves. Nick

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QUESTION: Nick,
Thank you very much for your prompt reply.
I will acquire a 12" pot and re-pot according to your recommendations at the next watering, five days.  Let's see how it progresses after one month
Sincerely,
Troy

ANSWER: ....good, it is extremely stressed and it will take time to recover, the new emerging fronds will be the indication, the older ones will brown out and need to be pruned away. Nick

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Nick,
Regretfully, the palm became worse by the day.  Here's the post-mortem, and I would appreciate your counsel for my second attempt:

- One of the three 'trunks' was extremely soft to the touch.  In fact, all fronds became increasingly brown day-after day.

- I had the plant in a 10" pot with eight drain holes; moreover, it was never left in standing water.

- Plant remained 3' from a south facing window with ample indirect light.

- When I removed the plant, none of the roots were visible.  In fact, 2" of dirt surrounded the root ball.  Additionally, all roots were white/ivory colored.

Admittedly, the plant was in poor shape when I acquired it and I fertilized during the winter; however, based on my descriptions, would you surmise there was a Magnesium deficiency an/or bacterial leaf blight?

Once again, I remain most appreciative of your counsel.

Troy

Answer
...the soft trunk is an indication of root rot Troy, I am afraid once that sets in it is extremely difficult to turn it around.  There isn't much more doctoring to be done I am afraid, if it is to turn the corner, it will be Mother Natures doing not yours. A nutrient deficiency is always possible, but you said you fertilized it, and I am assuming you used a "Palm fertilizer, which would contain the Macro and Micro nutrients required by Palms. I can only speculate to what treatment (or lack of..) it received before you acquired it, and without knowing that, it is very difficult to diagnose or rectify. Nick