Hello, Recently we had a landscape done to our garden and I repostioned this plam tree where it was earlier under the tree where lot of shade. Since 4 weeks now the leaves are turning yellow and I can't see any improvement or sign of growing. I have applied the recommended dosage of Seasol (seaweed tonic) which is 200ml for 5 to 9ltrs of water I am regularly watering the plant and I have applied the Sugarcane mulch for th soil. Here are the photos of my palm tree. I appreciate your help in this matter. thanks Jyothi
Firstly I think what you have is a Kentia palm or Howea forsteriana These palms prefer a shady position but do sun harden. I couldn't understand if you meant that the palm came from the shade? If it has come from shade then it's getting burnt by our summer sun. Even if it has come from semi-shade it's now fully exposed and the trees surrounding would not give it enough protection. How much rootball was left when it was moved? What is your soil like? Either way, if burnt and to compensate for loss of roots, you should remove most of the open fronds when moving a palm. Leave 2-3 open fronds and the new spikes coming out the centre. Be aware if you have poor drainage then by giving it lots of water you could be drowning it. Kentia are not the fastest growers and do not need excessive amounts of water. Give it a couple of handfuls of lawn fertiliser and water that in too. Lawn fertiliser is great for palms and you should apply it at least once a year in spring. Once the palm settles in you can give it a few handfuls now and start regular in spring.
Thanks for the reply. Gosh! I shouldn't have removed the tree. Currently it is in the full sunny place.Shall I pull it and place it back into the shade? The answer for your question about the soil type is bit clay but while landscaping top soil, gypsum and cow manure has been added. You suggested to put lawn fertilizer in spring but shall I put the same now( in summer)? What about Seasol feed? Please reply.
The seasol is good because it has natural fungicidal qualities so keep using it. Throw a small amount of lawn fert on it now (just a handful). Just be prepared for it to maintain a burnt appearance until the first few fronds open and harden. They may still burn somewhat anyway, as I said they do better in shade but will sun-harden. It will probably take until winter before it looks good again. I had 1 indoors for a while and it went outside and mucked around for a while until it settled in. There are 2 down the road in full sun and they're okay, we grew them in nurseries mainly as shade plants but sun-hardened a few out of each batch to have them available for outdoor planting. Just check that your drainage is adequate. If water sits in a hole then I'd reduce watering amounts as your soil would hold too much moisture. Likewise if it drains and dries very quickly then you'd have to water daily and for longer periods. If it's only just sat there for a week or two you could either move it again or bare with it and it will recover pretty well. The newer fronds won't look great at first but slowly it will improve. Prune the bulk of the older fronds off as they are just wasting energy now that could be used in new growth.
Thanks mate, I will try your suggestions and let you know any progress. Once again thanks, I appreciate your suggesstions Jyothi
