Q.Compatibility issue with a windmill palm
Near Atlanta, I planted a 4 foot windmill palm 3 yrs ago and it really thrived for the first 2 years. Last year I placed a potted grapefruit tree near it and they both almost died. The palm stopped growing and the grapefruit tree’s leaves got very yellow. When I realized this, I separated them. The grapefruit tree seems better (took it inside for the winter) but the palm shows no sign of new growth for about a year now. The fronds are still green but droopy. It still looks alive. 1) is there any known compatibility issue with Windmill palms and Grapefruit trees? 2) is there any hope at all for this palm?
Watering does not apply. The Windmill is in the ground, the grapefruit tree is in a pot. I have had this grapefruit tree for 20 years and I can assure you that I have underwatered the grapefruit several times. The result is dropped leaves, not yellow leaves. Besides, I keep them watered and I have another Windmill palm in the same ground 15 feet away and it is fine. I am really thinking there is a compatibility issue. Who puts a grapefruit tree within touching distance of a windmill palm (me lol).
Forget the compatibility issue, whats done is done. Anyway, they are separated now for almost a year. The palm has green fronds, but droopy. There has been no shoots or sign of new growth for about a year. I cleaned the top out and see no new shoots. Does anyone know if there is hope for this tree?
I can't find any reports of incompatibility of these two plant species. Windmill palms are considered extremely hardy, affected by very little except insufficient water. As this would also cause extreme yellowing of the grapefruit, my thought is that you could double check watering or irrigation setup you have in the area of the windmill palm.
