Question

Weakling Foxtail   QUESTION: Hello.  I recently had someone plant 6 foxtails in a new bed. Forgive my lack of knowledge, this is all very new to me. The trees are producing beautiful new "fonds", but have a lighter green tint to the older leaves.  One in particular looks very weak and the fonds appear yellowish and sparce, thin and a little brown. They were planted on March 8, 2009.  I was told perhaps too much water, but the soil does not feel saturated, actually more on the dryer side. I have a sprinkler system and water approx. 10 min day 3-4 times per week. I am unsure of what to do and would truly appreciate your advice.  Thank you!

ANSWER: Hi Lana, You didn't allude to how they were planted or who for that matter, its important to know that a qualified landscaper planted them for you; the pictures didn't alarm me, its perfectly normal for a Palm to look this way when it is adjusting to its new location. The key here is that the lower fronds are the ones discoloring, if the newly emerging fronds where showing stress,such as stunting or frizzled, the I would be more inclined to say there is a problem. They do need constant irrigation for several weeks, (which I assume they got), and are now at the point where a couple times a week will suffice. Let me know what state you are in (here in Florida we are in our dry season..) and who it was that planted them, so I can put to rest anything being out of sort here; again, I don't see anything from the pictures, lower fronds will brown out and shed themselves eventually, its the the top of the crown that tells the tale of the tape. Nick

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

QUESTION: Thank you Nick. I appreciate your time and advice. I live in League City, TX., approx. 25 miles from Galveston. After planting the foxtails, we received rain regurlarly, almost daily.  We actually flooded two times, about six days apart, last month. Lots of water, but the ground has had ample time to dry out in between. I also kept them irrigated if I felt necessary.  I have a person who cuts my grass, it was he who planted them.  He has planted other "plants" for me, however, I am unsure of his knowledge and experience in this arena. I was not home when they were put into the ground.  I am concerned also because we have a considerable amount of clay in our soil here.  He did dig the bed and furnish new soil prior to planting them.  They were originally planted at the same soil level as the pot, but too close to the fence and I am guilty of pulling them up, ever so gently, and moving them forward in the same bed.  They all have sprouts for new fronds, I am anxious to see how the frond on the frail one is.  My neighbor has some mature foxtails and they are beautiful,  a much richer deep green color. How long is average time for the palms to settle in??
I also have 2 canna between each palm and their leaves  have a slight yellowish tint also. I am concerned, it has been two months. I have planted canna before, but not seen this light green yellowish color in the leaves (of both the palms and canna), which are in the same bed. My concern is that maybe I don't have proper drainage or nutrition. I read somewhere to feed with ironite and sulphur. I also have Palm Tree Food, (Vigoro 8-4-8). Haven't used either until I am sure of what to do.
Once again, I truly appreciate your expertise and looking forward to hearing from you. Lana

Answer
Hi Lana, Ok, I would move the Cannas, there shouldn't be any plantings anywhere near your Foxtails; the yellowing sounds like the soil is holding too much water (being clay base..) for the Cannas, the Palms can tolerate a little extra, but not wet feet (poor drainage..). Feed your Palms in about a month with about half a pound of a well balanced Palm fertilizer per inch of trunk; it takes a good 6 months for Palms to establish themselves, so be patient with them and just make sure they are "properly" irrigated at this point, that is about all you need to worry about. Later, you can get back to me and I will give you any advice on maintaining a mature Palm, but right now I don't want to overload you with information that isn't pertinent to them at present. Nick