Palm foliar spray

[Tropicdoc]

Is this stuff worth anything?

[PalmatierMeg]

I use it from time to time as foliar spray and drench and I notice leaves do green up. You have to keep up treatments but it is concentrated so a pint goes a long way. I'm really sold on Southern Ag's granular minor elements, which has higher %s of nutrients than messy liquid concentrates. I buy it in 40 lb bags from a dealer in Punta Gorda.

[Jeff Searle]

In order to answer your question, wouldn't we have to know what the ingredients are inside, and strengths?

[Tropicdoc]

That would help.... didn't know if anyone was already familiar with the product. It is sold at the local Home Depot. Next time I'm there maybe I'll snap a shot of the label. But, this could be a good opportunity to discuss possible benefits of foliar feeding palms in general. I have sprayed my potted coconuts with liquid seaweed a few times. I can't tell if it did anything. And, I am always afraid to wet my palms' fronds for fear of fungus.

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

contains: 2.5% Manganese; 1.5% Magnesium and 1.0% Iron.

[Dr. George]

contains: 2.5% Manganese; 1.5% Magnesium and 1.0% Iron.

And Sulfur 3.5%: Label - Palm Nutritional.pdf

Note the label warning:

THIS PRODUCT WILL SEVERELY STAIN CONCRETE, MASONRY AND PAINTED SURFACES. Be extremely careful not to allow spray or runoff to contact with these materials.

[_Keith]

I could see this being a nice thing for younger palms and transplants that do not have effective root systems yet. I have not seen it in the local HD, but will look for some for things like those recovering B. alfredii, and a few seedling I have that are just not taking off like they should be. Worth a try.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

I think that, for the most part, foliar feeding is a myth. Yes, some nutrients will be absorbed through the leaf tissue but most runs off and is taken up by the roots. Having said that, I think supplemental root drenches are very worthwhile.

[_Keith]

I think that, for the most part, foliar feeding is a myth. Yes, some nutrients will be absorbed through the leaf tissue but most runs off and is taken up by the roots. Having said that, I think supplemental root drenches are very worthwhile.

This is a great article on the subject. According to this article, and others I have read, tt has a small and short term effect, which is exactly the use I am thinking of is very short term, just until the roots start to live up to their job.

http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com/2009/07/foliar-feeding-waste-of-time-and-money.html

I know it helps on vegetable plants at certain times. But as the article says, it depends on the plant, so to what extent it effects palms is the question. My thought is drench them down top to bottom, what the leave don't or can't use winds up in the soil for the roots to use.

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

The greatest benefit of foliar feeding is the placebo effect on the care taker of the plant. Sort of like how you think your car runs better after a good car wash. With that being said, the foliar spray is very effective on palm seedlings that do not yet have the root surface area necessary to support a lot of micro-nutrient absorption.