a. spear leaf hanging down, but does not pull out of bud

1) palm otherwise healthy

boron deficiency (Fig. 43)

FACTSHEET URL: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP264

b. spear leaf pulls easily out of bud

1) on cold-damaged palm

secondary bacterial bud rot (Fig. 44)

[Note:  cold damage occurred weeks prior to bud rot symptoms]

FACTSHEET URL: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP144

2) non cold-damaged palm

a) lowest leaves healthy

Phytophthora bud rot | Thielaviopsis bud rot (Fig.44)

FACTSHEET URL: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP144

b) lowest leaves discolored brown or gray; Phoenix spp.

lethal yellowing (Figs. 46)

FACTSHEET URL: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP146

FACTSHEET URL:

Texas Phoenix palm decline http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP163