Costa Mesa, Calif.-we have several queen palms in pots and their palms started yellowing at the tip and are starting to brown and we're afraid they're going to die. We got them last year (04) in summer and have had a pretty wet winter. How can we save them?

Hi Cari,

There are several nutritional deficiencies that effect the Queen Palm and I suspect that is your problem. From this site where there is additional information:
http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC2007.htm

"NUTRITIONAL PROBLEMS

Palms frequently suffer from improper mineral nutrition in the landscape. The most common nutritional deficiencies of palms are nitrogen (N), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn). Iron (Fe) deficiency may occur in palms with a damaged or inadequate root system which leaves the plant unable to take up nutrients from the soil. Palms that are planted too deep or in areas with poor aeration, such as water-logged soils, are the most susceptible.



It is difficult to diagnose nutritional deficiencies by visual symptoms alone, since some symptoms overlap and may appear to be a disease. Some of the general deficiency symptoms are listed below.

*

Nitrogen: A fairly common problem that caused stunting of the plant. Leaves appear to have an overall light green color.
*

Potassium: This is a very serious and more widespread problem than nitrogen deficiency. Older leaves are affected first, and the deficiency often appears as yellow, orange or black spots. Edges of the leaves turn brown and become frizzled.
*

Magnesium: Another very serious and common problem that begins on the older leaves. Yellow banding along the leaf margins is characteristic, with the center remaining green.
*

Manganese: New growth is affected first and emerges weak and stunted. In advanced stages the leaves are yellow, small and often have necrotic streaks and a frizzled appearance (frizzle top)."

Newt