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Palms & Cycads California Gardening Garden

Help! Why is my palm dying?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

In June, I got 2 potted palm trees that were burnt in a large fire last year. The trunks were burnt, but by Spring they had new green growth at the crown. One tree came is in it's original pot and is doing great, but the other one needed to be re-potted. Now the leaves at the crown are turning brown and crispy but the soil feels moist. I noticed that the original soil around the base is not as permeable to water as the soil that I re-potted it in. Could the root ball be in hydrophobic soil that's making it dry out? Or does it look over watered? I think it's a Windmill Palm. I'm in Northern California. It has sentimental value so I'd really like to save it. Any advice would be appreciated.Thank youI attached pictures in the comments of it when I first got it, after it was planted and now.

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

6 years ago

Looks like regular old garden soil in that container, which is really not at all suitable for container growing. The plants would be much happier in a soil-less potting soil mix intended for container culture

Windmill palms are extremely hardy.....is there a reason you don't plant these in the ground?

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Comments (7)

Aimee Martin
Original Author
6 years ago
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Aimee Martin
Original Author
6 years ago
I used a mixture of sand, perlite and soil in the bottom and the sides of the pot, around the base of the palm. It looks like the soil that was in the old pot was heavy and clay like, which is what the roots are in. I already have quite a few in the ground so I'd like to have this in a pot on my patio . It has been a pot for at least 12 years, maybe longer.
stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
6 years ago
Wait and see. You might try pouring hydrogen peroxide into the crown to get at any pathogens. Other than that,maybe light shade for awhile as full sun might be stressing it.
Matt z5b - Greenhouse 10a
6 years ago
Yes i agree the soil is no good and possible no root growth.
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
6 years ago
There are drainage holes in the container, right?
Aimee Martin
Original Author
6 years ago
yes, there are drainage holes in the bottom. I ended up taking it out of the pot and most of the roots were rotten. I cut off the rotten roots and packed in new soil. It's not showing any signs of life, but I'll wait a while and see what happens.

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