Windmill Palm question

[Paul]

I live in Dallas, TX and have a Windmill Palm that has been doing quite well for the last 3 years until recently.

It is planted in the ground in our backyard and receives partial sun and is watered as well as fertilized regularly.

Recently one of the new fronds poked up but not nearly as far as previous ones have.

Then the frond spread out without gaining any more height (the frond came up just far enough to spread completely).

2 more fronds have now poked up but not as far and they are now spreading (note these fronds are still partially in the trunk and are not able to spread completely).

The palm looks fine and appears to be in good health. We also have a Mexican Fan in our backyard that is doing very well with no signs of problems.

Any idea what's going on here? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

TIA!

[Tom Jaszewski]

Mites can create stunting....how do you know it is well watered? What kind of fertilizer?

Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel.

-- Aldo Leopold

[Paul]

Thanks for the reply!

My backyard is on my sprinkler system and that station waters 3 times a week for 15 minutes plus some additional watering when I give the hibiscus a drink.

I bought the fertilizer awhile back and it is specifically for Palms but I don't have the details with me (it's a granular type that you work into the soil and I remember the label said to use it during the spring, summer, and fall).

How do you know if you have mites and what can you do to treat them?

Thanks!

Tom Jaszewski wrote:

one need only own a shovel.

[Tom Jaszewski]

OK so here's a potential problem...clocks are automatic, but not clairvoyant! It could be that the T. fortunei is to dry!!!! There is no substitute for a dirty finger checking soil moisture....I always evaluate my palms by using an soil probe (sampling probe)

Sometimes the stunting can be a magnesium deficiency! It's important to know what the contents are of the palm fertilizer you used....Mn and Mg deficiencies are common in many palms....

magnifying glass....hort oils can be effective....

Oh and don't forget some compost tea to improve soil biology....

Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel.

-- Aldo Leopold

[Paul]

Thanks again for the input!

The fertilizer is from Turf Magic and is 8-8-8 with .60% MG.

Tom Jaszewski wrote:

one need only own a shovel.

[Tom Jaszewski]

The generally accepted proportions for a palm fertilizer is 3-1-3, not

1-1-1 as you used. Turf magic will leave you palms deficient especially in MN and Mg!!! I use a 13-5-13 and add Mn and Mg feedings!!! BTW This applies to cycads as well.

one need only own a shovel.

Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel.

-- Aldo Leopold