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Foxtail Palm question


Question
QUESTION: Hi, after the frost we had this year i lost one of my
foxtails but have 2 left.  The 2 i have left seem to have
quit growing.  I cut all the brown palm frawns off, and was
told by a local horticulturist that if the shoots coming up
in the middle were easy to pull out, then to pull them out
if they were brown because it would keep new shoots from
coming up....so I did that about 5-6 weeks ago.  The trees
have not died since, but they are not growing either.  They
are a dull green color.  I've put super thrive and iron on
them 2x since.  They are about 5 feet tall and have been in
the ground for 2 years.  Are they going to start growing
again?  Or they just lingering around for death?  Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Jason, from what you have told me, it doesn't' seem likely that they are going to come back, in fact I am inclined to think (again by what you said...) that if the center fronds pulled out, the palm is already dead. When new emerging fronds pull out, that is it, there is no more, a sure sign of crown rot. Nick

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

QUESTION: But wouldn't they turn brown?  They've remained green, they are just not
growing.  In all cases if they are doomed, then no point in waiting to dig them
out and plant new ones!  Thanks again

Answer
...If the center fronds pulled out., and all you have left is older ones that may still be green, then the Palm is kaput; it is the center, emerging fronds that are the future of the Palm, no emerging fronds, no more Palm. The tale of the tape is the center, that is where future growth emerges; if they pulled out, then crown rot has set in. I just want to be sure of my information here though, it is the older side fronds that you say are still green, correct? and the center, newer, fronds pulled out, if this is also correct, then the Palm will not generate any new growth and is dying. Nick

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