Question
Hi Nick, I live in Sarasota and have 2 Adonidias with multiple trunks planted where they receive full afternoon sun. One of the plants is entering into its 3rd spring and the other was planted last spring. They took a little hit from the cold but aren't recovering. They actually look like they're shrinking to me. New growth is not coming out in nice spears, but stunted, misshapen, prematurely opening fronds. All the other palms in the yard are recovering well. I don't see any pests, scale, mold. Help!

Answer
Hi Tina, Christmas Palms are very susceptible to cold damage, and I lost one that just was sitting there doing nothing, so I finally pushed the envelope and tugged on the center spear, and it just came out easily and left a mushy area where it was; the Palm had succumbed to Crown Rot, due to the February freeze we had. Yours sound like they are in a little better shape however, the stunted fronds are a sign of stress, but what should happen is they will eventually send out new healthy ones. Be patient Tina, and if the center spear holds with slight tugging, then they are still viable, but do tug on them , for this will be the tale of tape, to whether they are still hanging in there for you, you don't need to tug hard, if they are holding then they will either hold or come out easily. We are getting plenty of water now, so you really can't do anything but maybe spray them with a "Palm nutritional spray", this will help them gain the strength they will need to turn the corner. Nick