Frizzle Top??? in B. capitata

[AggiePalms]

Hi folks!

Finally I have time to post for the first time!  I'm glad to be here.

Question:  What do I do about a 35 year old B. capitata that seems to have frizzle top?  I have 3 capitata, all mature, and only this one has a problem.  The last few years, it will have 1-2 flushes that come out seemingly stunted and shriveled.  This is independent of wet/drought years, I think.  

My assumption is it needs minors, and I have put up to 15-20 lb of manganese with other minors on it, which seems like more than plenty.  Seemingly everything is good... but after a good set of new leaves, the problem comes back.  The soil is nutrient poor coastal sand/clay mix, and this Butia is the lowest of the three trees so it gets a bit more water on its roots from the adjacent wetland...but it never did this until the last few years.  I don't know what else to do, and I don't want to lose this palm.  I had it in a whiskey barrel in 1988 indoors in Washington D.C., so it has special meaning to me.  Any suggestions?  Ideas?  Is it something other than minor deficiencies?

Thanks.  You all are great people, and I'm glad to finally be able to join in.

David

[BS Man about Palms]

Do you mulch and do you have any pictures?

[Mark Heath]

are you giving it palm fertilizer as well as minors?  Home Depot sells a liquid fert that is for frizzletop.  When i have this problem, i use the fert i spoke of w/ a good palm fertilizer as well.   It may take a year or two to balance the palm out, good luck!

[Alicehunter2000]

Definately try and post a pic for a more definative diagnosis.

[AggiePalms]

Thanks for the information.  I will get some photos for you all to look at.  

Since I'm on the Georgia - South Carolina border, I have to drive to Florida to get palm fertilizer at Home Depot.  Makes no sense, since both adjoining states have the Sable Palmetto as their state tree, and we have just as many here of course.

In any event, I'll be back in touch.

David

[chris.oz]

I have a similar problem with my trunking B. capitata.

The leaves dont extend fully and they have bands of necrosis.

The soil is extremely poor.... almost pure sand.  I have been giving liquid fert and watering

deeply,  because there is a severe long term drought here.

Problem is,  if its a boron problem,  it takes a long time to see if the steps you take have corrected it.

I think my next step will be slow release fertiliser.... of the resin coated type.

This palm should be doing very well instead its just surviving.

[AggiePalms]

Hi Chris.

Thanks for the information.  Mine seems to be doing the same thing, somewhat necrotic and shorter than normal, and we also are having a major drought (even though my microclimate has been having wet/dry cycles).  My soil is also quite low in nutrients, and since I am very near a highly productive salt marsh, I try not to overfertilize...but perhaps I need more/different nutrients.  I will have some photos posted in a few days, so maybe I can resolve this at that time.

Thanks!

David

[_Keith]

(AggiePalms @ Mar. 01 2008,18:25)

QUOTE

Thanks for the information.  I will get some photos for you all to look at.  

Since I'm on the Georgia - South Carolina border, I have to drive to Florida to get palm fertilizer at Home Depot.  Makes no sense, since both adjoining states have the Sable Palmetto as their state tree, and we have just as many here of course.

In any event, I'll be back in touch.

David

Living in non-palm central, I too stock up on Palm fertilizer everytime I visit Florida.   I am sure I could order it and have it shipped, but then what would be the fun in that.  

Foliar feeding might give quicker results, its effects will be shorter lived, but might be the hedge till your root feeding efforts kick in.

[Joe palma]

David,

At first read it does sound like a micro-nutrient issue, like boron or manganese. Sounds like you have thrown on a bunch of that though w/ limited results.

I'm wondering if this a result of a lowering water table??

I know the problem palm is lower than the others and thus should be getting more water than those but maybe there is a build up of something in that lower area (salt, pH altered?). Just a thought.

Interesting how Chris is reporting similar issues in his drought stricken area.

Post those pics and well take a gander.....

We'd hate to see you loose this family member!!

[Mark Heath]

When i heard you mention salt,,,, i said uh oh!  But a sure sign of too much salt or fertilizer is brown tips on the fronds.  Just a thought!

[chris.oz]

Here are a couple of shots of my suffering Butia capitata

Its on almost pure sand, elevated and very dry.

Nutrients leach very fast.

The spears keep pushing,  but the leaves are getting smaller and smaller.

Note the necrotic band .

[chris.oz]

My next step  is to massively mulch the area around this palm and increase nitrogen,  and ensure it gets a big soaking when we are allowed to water.