Queen Palms

I'm living in Southern California and I'm wondering if anyone has a suggestion for Queen Palms. I have two that have been in the ground for about 2 years now. They're very listless. The fronts are limp-looking and turn brown before really ever growing it seems. There is new growth from the center which get to be about 3 feet tall, then just kind of slump over and turn brown. I knew this isn't a very well constructed "gardener type" of description, but that's why I'm writing in the Beginners Forum!
Do Queen Palms need fertilizer? They get 7-10 mins. of water about every-other-day depending on the season. Am I over-watering? Under-watering? BTW, I have another Queen Palm that is much older (15-20 years) that was here when we bought the house. It gets the same amount of water as the other two, and I haven't fertilized that one and it's flurishing!
Any help would be great.

Thanks in advance.

I'm hardly an expert on palms, but it sounds like it may be getting too much water. If you have heavy clay soil, which I suspect you do, it would be better to hold off on the watering for a while and see what happens.

Queens need fertilizer, yes.
They also need regular mineral applications containing manganese, magnesium, and potassium.

I also think you are overwatering, especially if these are well established.
I would water less frequently but for longer at a time.

My palm experience is all South Florida and so I do not feel comfortable recommending for So Cal.
Maybe hit the Palm forum here http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/palms/all/ and look for palmbob- I think he is near you and he is a vast source of knowledge.

I would strongly suggest that you call or visit your local cooperative extension service- they are just sitting and waiting for folks like you!
Really a vastly under utilized service that I have always found to be extremely helpful.
They have tons of information and free handout care sheets for everything that is specialized for your exact location and conditions.
Find them in the white pages listed by county.

Your local palm society http://www.palmssc.org/membership/membership.htm is also a huge resource- membership in these clubs usually includes a monthly publication of some sort that is also location specific.
And they have shows and sales!!
Every year and in SoCal probably twice a year.
Good times :)

I had a question about a Queen's palm recently and got all sorts of excellent advice from the experts here over in the Palms and cycads forum. If you are not a paid subscriber here I highly recommend doing so. If you dont wan't to pay the fee all at once you can be a member for $5.00 for every two months.
Believe me it's money WELL spent. I do know from my question over in that forum that the younger palms need LOTS of water......
Good Luck!

Thanks for all your help!