Fertilizing a Palm Tree
Most landscape palms will require fertilization once or twice during the growing season. Not just any fertilizer will do, however.  Palm trees have special needs that must be met with specially formulated fertilizers that target specific nutrient deficiencies.  Homeowners should also apply regular maintenance fertilizers to healthy trees.

Maintenance Fertilization for Healthy Trees
Spikes are a fast, efficient, long lasting method of fertilizing palm trees and, in most situations, would provide all the nutrients your palm trees would need. These palm spikes have been carefully formulated to effectively fertilize your palms while protecting them from the common deficiencies of Manganese, Magnesium, Potassium and Iron. Another great source for fertilizer specifically designed for palm trees is usually found at your local garden center or home building supply center and is a time released mixture like the spikes but comes in small beads that you spread around the ground surface by the trunk of the palm.

Palm Fertilizers contain Nitrogen plus soluble Manganese, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron and Copper Sulfates. Their release has been slowed by the use of proprietary binders to safely release the nutrients to the feeder roots of your Palms - right where they are most effective. Each spike provides exact measured amounts of these fertilizers so palms can be properly fertilized by using the correct number of spikes according to tree size.

If you are concerned that your tree may be showing signs of a specific deficiency, we recommend you start using the Maintenance Spikes first to see if that clears up the problem. This way, you avoid misdiagnosing the problem while still providing a balanced feeding for your tree. If a deficiency still exists after treatment with the Complete Spikes, try one of the mineral-specific spikes described below.

Manganese Deficiency

Symptoms: Affects the new emerging leaves, causing yellowing and necrosis between the veins and a reduction in leaf size. As deficiency becomes severe, the new leaves wither and have a "frizzled" look. If not promptly treated, Manganese deficiency is often fatal to the palm. Manganese deficiency can affect most species of palms. Queen, paurotis and royal palms are particularly susceptible.

Treatment: Palm Manganese Supplements dosage is different depending on the type, age, the size of trunk and severity of deficiency. Most fertalizers come with a guide as to how much to use. Normal response is from 1 to 3 months. Treatments may be made anytime the deficiency is observed.

Potassium Deficiency

Symptoms: Causes yellow, orange or brown flecks and necrotic margins of older leaves. Withering ("frizzling") begins on these older leaves first. From a distance these leaves often appear brown or orange in color. If deficiency is severe enough, new shoots will eventually be affected. If unattended, the palm may die. Curing the potassium deficiency can lead to magnesium deficiency. To balance, potassium and magnesium should be applied together. Potassium deficiency is common in most species of palms in Florida.

Treatment: Palm Tree Potassium amounts per palm depending on size of trunk and severity of the deficiency. Complete recovery can take a year or longer. Treatments may be made anytime the deficiency is observed.

Magnesium Deficiency

Symptoms: Affects the older leaves, causing them to yellow at the edges while the center band stays green. In severe cases leaflet tips also become necrotic. Magnesium deficiency can affect most species of palms. Date palms are particularly susceptible.

Treatment: Palm Magnesium Supplement amounts per palm, depending on the size of the trunk and the severity of the deficiency. Recovery can take 2 - 6 months. Treatments may be made anytime the deficiency is observed.




But remember, keep your palms regularly fertalized and don't wait to find a deficiency. Fertalizing is very inexspensive compared to replacing a dead palm tree. Protect your investment with preventative maintenance.