Question
QUESTION: We initially had 4 foxtail palms but now have 1 that looks fair and 1 that new growth seems to come out and then break and lay down.  Also the older growth does not seem to be shedding.  Is there some way to save the 2 that are left?  Thanks, Billie in Hollywood

ANSWER: Hi Billie, I need more info,especially on how and where they were planted and how they have been cared for and finally, how old they are. Nick

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

QUESTION: They are planted on the North Side of the House where there had been a different type of Palm.  The previous palms were getting too tall and needed to be trimmed periodically and so because of the hurricanes here in South Forida we chose to start over.  The Foxtail are close to the house and have been in for 3 years.  Our whole neighborhood replaced their older bigger palms with these Foxtails and 50% of them seem to be having the same problem.  Someone told us it might be the dirt and no matter what palm we plant the palms would not flourish.  Why would that be true when the original palms flourished.  I've been fertilizing every three months with a palm fertilizer around the edge of the trunk but am at a loss.  Can they be saved?  Thanks, Billie in Hollywood

Answer
Billie, If the palms were planted too deep, and by deep it could be as little as 3 inches lower then they came out of the nursery container, it would cause a definite, slow decline; This may or may not be the problem,but it fits, other then that it could be caused by a problem in the roots, either they are not forming in a natural manner, which often happens when people augment the hole with rich soil from the store, instead of planting the palm in the natural soil base with no additives, forcing it to expand its roots outward; if soil was added to the hole,then the roots are reluctant to move out into the poorer indigenous soil and begin to grow in a circle, producing a poor root system that will eventually lead to a decline. I hope this helps you, palm problems can be difficult, it can be disease, poor planting technique, poor nutritional habits, or even too little or too much irrigation. Nick