Felony or just a sneaky fertilizing?

[wendisplantation]

Ok, I cannot be the first one in this position....

About a mile or so from me is a little queen that the people planted that just looks horrendous!!!! From things that I have read, it looks to me like maybe it has a Boron deficiency because the growth point is turned at nearly a 90 deg angle sideways. It used to be worse, but it looks like it is slowly starting to lift up a little. This palm is just little- maybe 5 feet overall (if straight)....

It is making me nuts looking at that forlorn little thing , should I sneak fertilize it? Could I get into trouble for doing that? ???  It is close enough to the road that I could just casually walk by and throw some fertilizer at it....

This guy has been in the ground for 3 years and not gotten bigger at all, and truthfully I am surprised it is still alive.....My BF said he would do it, but neither one of us can afford to get into any kind of trouble.

Any suggestions? Anybody else ever quietly fed a neighbors tree?

Oh yeah, knocking on the door is completely out of the question here in these parts, that was my first thought

[Jeff Searle]

Wendi,

   My first thought was to suggest knocking on the door to offer some fert., but I then read down further and you said no way. How about leaving a small bag of fert. and a note near the door? If that dosen't work, just sneak over there at night and put some down yourself. OR.....you can always pay the neighborhood kid a few bucks and let him do it.  I can tell it's killing YOU, huh?

Let us know the out come.

Jeff

[Alicehunter2000]

I had this huge W. filifera down the street from me that I always wanted to do that with. As you know filifera's are not that common here in our neck of the woods. Anyway, it killed me to slowly watch this thing die over the course of about 3 years. I was tempted to do the same thing as you are considering but didn't. Now I drive by a huge fat telephone pole wondering how long it will stay standing.

I would sneak it some fert. at night if its near the road. If not maybe leave some fert at the door with a note saying its a gift from the APS.

[wendisplantation]

Oh yes, it is killing me... :laugh: LOLOL :laugh: -How'd you guess??!!!!!

The reason for the door thing is because people around here generally have large shotguns and I don't want to meet one by just trying to be nice ( I don't have much luck trying to help strangers)

I never thought of paying a local kid to do it....now there's an idea. I did think of the note and bag too, but just figured the person may just throw it out.

Was the guess with the Boron deficiency accurate? Would fert even help at this point if that is the case?

Thanks Jeff, I knew you would have an idea!!!!

BTW, are you open to the pub, and where are you located? Would love to maybe see your palms...

[wendisplantation]

Thanks David, with encouragement like you 2, I think I will DO IT!!!

Do you feel like me every time you go past the pole?

[macario]

I have done the EXACT same thing but different trees but same situation. I just nock on the door and say" I see your tree is very unhappy, If you dont mind I have just what the doctor ordered, you dont mind If I sprinkle some around your tree do you????????" 100 % of the time they say," go right ahead, Ive been trying to figure out what that thing needed" and thats it.

[MattyB]

Get your dog to pee on it every evening during walks.

[wendisplantation]

Thanks you guys...I'm gonna do it... :cool:  maybe tonight because with the little rain we are getting, that would help   Thanks again, I can say you guys made me if I get caught... (Just Kidding)

I know I can't bear to see it die!!

I hear you thinking that!!

Yes, It has become Wendi's home for stray pets and trees around here

[DoomsDave]

Hmm.

IF you fert without consent, that's technically a trespass.

Under Florida law, if my memory serves, any unauthorized entry (in certain cases) can even be a burglary.

Don't.

Even if you have a bigger gun and body armor . . . .

dave

[wendisplantation]

oh, well........Maybe I'll send Steve to the door..

[rubyz]

(MattyB @ Apr. 11 2007,02:34)

QUOTE

Get your dog to pee on it every evening during walks.

Better check out my post on the Kentia before you suggest something like that!

[STEVE IN SO CAL]

(wendisplantation @ Apr. 10 2007,19:51)

QUOTE

oh, well........Maybe I'll send Steve to the door..

Huh....?

[BS Man about Palms]

Have a pocket full of Nutricote and an extra-large "Big Gulp" cup on your evening walk....you "just" happen to tire of you drink of water every night at that palm...  Between the one pocket and lots of big gulps it'll get better.  

[Jim in Los Altos]

I got tired of seeing a queen a few blocks from my house languishing in the horrible hard clay that the "landscaper" planted it in so one rainy evening I took a bag of Vigro palm food with me while walking my collie. I pretended I was cleaning up after my dog while actually pouring the granuals out around the palms drip line. That palm just sucked up that food and went from faded yellow to verdant green in less than four weeks! I was so proud but within four months that poor palm was turning yellow again. Same procedure, same results. Now these homeowners actually have someone feeding their whole yard and it's looking great including the queen. They'll never know who possibly saved their palm from a premature death but I'm glad I fed it when I did.

[Scott]

Consider it a mercy fertilizing.  

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Wendi,

If the palm is so close to the road as you say, perhaps it is in the right of way.  In that case it really is on public land and there would be no trespass charge.  I would use some nutricote (360 day release) so you don't have to do it that often.  The occassional Big Gulp with some liquid fert is a good shot in the arm too.  Dress in black like a ninja.

Jerry

[DoomsDave]

Hmm.

Is that liquid fert as in, urea?

Be careful.  Unless you've got unusual composition, you might give the palm micronutrient deficiency . . .

dave

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Nobody wants a trespass AND a public indecency charge.  Yikes!

Jerry

[Trópico]

I've had it done to me.  

But it was during the dark years of my chinch bug problem. Someone nicely left a load of granular Triazicide but did not disperse it.  

I caught it on time and did not burn that much.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

That was a thoughtless and cruel person who did not spread it for you.

Jerry

[wendisplantation]

You guys are cracking me up

I don't know how to us the quote thingy yet, but Steve from So-Cal-sorry, my Boyfriend's name is Steve too...You're just a little far to have you do it...LOLOL

The tree is actually on the peoples property, but barely. After considering all great suggestions, and talking it over with MY Steve, we have decided that we will don our ninja suits and sneak fertilize, at night. I am going to use my plam specific that has the micro nutrients, as I think this little guy  is deficient in Boron. I have read many many things on proper Palm nutrition, and out of all of it, the one pic that went along with the Boron def. sticks in my mind as the closest possible problem. However, after reading the thread about the multilpe headed palms and possible squirrel trauma to the growth bud..... makes me wonder about that too. I also think that it was planted in poor soil, as there is lots of clay here as well. Poor thing.

My Steve also said he would go to the door if I wanted to go about it that way, so we'll see if the sneak-ferting works. If not, he will go talk to the guy.

Thanks for all the ideas and experiences, and rest assured we will not be toting any shotguns

[wendisplantation]

Tropico- how did you feel that they took it upon themselves to give you that hint?

most people in my area are not very friendly, and I just don't want to step on toes, so to speak. In general I think most people would appreciate the effort...as I'm guessing you did.

[Kris]

Dear Wendi  

the only solution to me it appears is watch when the

neighbour is out on a walk.even you go out for a walk

make 2 or 3 causual meetings like that and then raise the

issue of fertz.and iam shure he or she will also allow you to

fert that palm anytime.

but if you think as they are bit not your type,then just talk to

their children as jeff said.and convience the kid that their plam

depereatly need some attention.if they are intresteed they will

contact you on what has to be done.

But if those neighbours family look wierd  kind of chainsaw murderers then all you can do is to pray for the palm.it seems this option every one can do !

there were many occassions i used to tell my neighbours

and even relitives when their mango trees were full of

barrowing pest_the wooden trunk will drip as powder or

the leaves all having deformations like chicken pox..

and when i suggested that those trees need care they

smiled looking at me wieredly ! and took no action.

the result in just 3 years time no new leaves emerged due to this infection and finally they felled those trees.

so how people react to suggestion depends !

so i will tell you to_Keep Walking ! but go slow,on this one.

Love,

Kris  

[Trópico]

(wendisplantation @ Apr. 11 2007,09:03)

QUOTE

Tropico- how did you feel that they took it upon themselves to give you that hint?

most people in my area are not very friendly, and I just don't want to step on toes, so to speak. In general I think most people would appreciate the effort...as I'm guessing you did.

Well, it was at night, I came back from the movies (I think) and saw this void enhanced by the night lights. I looked better and saw this mountain of purina, which after closer inspection realized it was Triazicide. I thought that was the HOA trying to make a point and felt a little offended (I take pride in my yard, no matter how bad it looks, I'm definitely working on it, be patient!). I tried to see if it was done to other neighbors as well but no. Then I realized how dumb whoever did it was by not spreading it. Maybe they did it in a hurry. That spot was grassless for a while. So be sure to spread it and don't leave too much physical evidence!

(Have you considered a diluted fertilizer?)

So I think his reaction could be :

#1 He could care less

#2 He could think you're after something else (they don't comprehend that some people do care for just a darn palm tree).

If you see him attempting to do something about it offer some help, but if he doesn't really care, I say go for it!

[BobbyinNY]

Oh yeah, knocking on the door is completely out of the question here in these parts, that was my first thought

Why is that?

[Kris]

Dear folks  

lets leave this matter to Bo Goran & Dean.since we dont hear much from them few days_Why !

i think they will give a very amaciable solution to this issue !

dear folks are you guys still listinig or should i beam out the

batman search light in your hawaian skies...

Love,

Kris  

[Alberto]

(wendisplantation @ Apr. 10 2007,16:57)

QUOTE

Oh yeah, knocking on the door is completely out of the question here in these parts, that was my first thought

Excuse me,but.... what´s the probem to talk about it with the ownner of this palm? ? ? Maybe he/she also doesn´t like the apearence of this palm and is wondering what to do...

[wendisplantation]

BobbyinNY and Alberto, the area that I live in is very strange (well, the people are anyway) It is just an are where most folks feel like their business is NONE of anyone else's business....Gosh, PLEASE no one take any offense to the following: very red-neck, so to speak...

Not all are that way, but the last time I tried to help a neighbor by offering my help if they needed it, I was answered by,   "My problems are NONE OF YOUR

F*%#$@! business!!!"  So, I pretty much have just kept to myself after that. Most around here just don't understand people trying to be nice, they take stuff like that as snooping. I live in a very rural and fairly low income area where a lot of people are just mostly miserable, I guess. It's just not expected that someone just wants to be nice.   Many times that is expressed with flashing shotguns or the like.

It's so sad, but I think many who may live in the very deep south understand what I mean.

Not all are that way here, but finding the ones who aren't, is few and far between. You see, I am a stranger here, only been around these parts for 13 years...

Plus, I just don't want to put myself in a bad position by trying to help someone. I am a real 'people person', and it has really been a long road learning to not try to help since I have been in this area.

I wasn't going to say this, but I am going to anyway...I have a child that is Autisitc, and unfortunately...here that translates to 'RETARDED'. I have found out in some very strange ways that many in our community view our family as outcasts because of my beautiful, sweet kid who just happens to be different. the funny thing is that she has an iq of nearly 200, and 'they' think she's just messed up. Sad, there is just not a lot of educated people here. Plus, I am very vocal on behalf of kids at my county council meetings, and locals look that as rocking the boat.   NO I can't move, I'm not runnin from anyone, I just choose not to be like that.

[BobbyinNY]

Not all are that way, but the last time I tried to help a neighbor by offering my help if they needed it, I was answered by,   "My problems are NONE OF YOUR

F*%#$@! business!!!"   So, I pretty much have just kept to myself after that. Most around here just don't understand people trying to be nice, they take stuff like that as snooping. I live in a very rural and fairly low income area where a lot of people are just mostly miserable, I guess. It's just not expected that someone just wants to be nice.   Many times that is expressed with flashing shotguns or the like.

Oh my god...let me know where that area is so I don't look for a house around there.... That's crazy.... My neighbors would welcome help like that... There was this lady living around the block from me who had this fence that needed painting last year so I knocked on her door and asked her if she had someone to do it and she said No, but if I wanted to, she'd pay me to do it - so I did it  and didn't take her money.

[wendisplantation]

Bobby, we are that kind of people too, it is just not the way here, I guess.

PLease don't get me wrong, not everyone here is like that, but you can't tell by looking, unfortunately.

That's part of why I love this forum ssssooooooo very much, all good helpful, appreciative people who know what love is. The whole world isn't like that, wish it was!!

     

this forum seems to be a true 'circle of friends' Something I have sorely missed having in my life since I moved here, I never let it get to me, too much to do, and life is just too short

[Jeff Searle]

Wendi,

     It sounds like you have a big heart and a hunger for palms. If you can't seem to find a way to put some fertilizer on the palm, so be it. Maybe it was meant to be. But you tried, and thats all that mattered. Whats going to happen is after awhile, you'll have so many palms started from seed, you can give some away to the friends that mean the most( and maybe a few neighbors) and see some of your "babies" growing in the yards around you. That would be nice. Anyway, you'll find that just about everyone on this board is friendly and willing to help. Glad your here!

Jeff

[www.dadluvsu.com]

Thumbs up and put the fertilizer down!!!

[wendisplantation]

See- now that's what I'm talkin about......

UPDATE:  he he he sneak fert was a success!!!! did it just after dark, parked my car on the nearest side road, did what I came to do, and left, very casually, Steve laughing like a child the whole way. Gosh that was fun!! I felt like I was doing something bad....adrenaline still flowing!!!

NA NA NA NA NA, i JUST FERTED ON YOUR TREE

Thank you all for the ideas and encouragement!! Also, Big Thanks to Dave in SoCal for trying to keep me out of trouble, and you are correct about the law down here re: trespass, meant to tell you that earlier....

Also Jeff- I'm ahead of you on this one       I have one even tempered neighbor that planted an unGodly number of Washies on his little acre lot, I took him some robelenii from last year's germination crisis.....because he was outside one day and I had been admiring how well he took care of his trees already, Steve and I stopped and told him that we could tell he loved them (his), and offered him as many as he wanted, thank God he took some.....i still have nearly 1000! Crisis meaning almost 2000 germed all at once-

[wendisplantation]

OH YES---I HAVE APPEASED THE MIGHTY PALM GODS AND THEY HAVE REWARDED ME!!!!!!!!!!!

We just got a huge thundershower...that means that all that palm specific has started to do its job, not to mention that all my stuff outside just got a big natural drink!!!!!

Humble Thank You

[BobbyinNY]

Bobby, we are that kind of people too, it is just not the way here, I guess.

PLease don't get me wrong, not everyone here is like that, but you can't tell by looking, unfortunately.

That's part of why I love this forum ssssooooooo very much, all good helpful, appreciative people who know what love is. The whole world isn't like that, wish it was!!

     

this forum seems to be a true 'circle of friends' Something I have sorely missed having in my life since I moved here, I never let it get to me, too much to do, and life is just too short

Wendi..... I feel the love  ... It is true though... This is the ONLY board that I've ever seen that has this kind of comradarie...It's very unique.... Dean, you should be proud...  And I think that having meetings and palmfests really helps too.... I've met a bunch of people on here and everyone has been very nice.

[wendisplantation]

Yes, I agree, and I'd just like to take this moment to tell everyone here Thanks for welcoming me with big wide open arms....I'm feelin the love too!!

I love you guys..sniffle, sniffle, tear, tear

[Bilbo]

High Nitrate with micronutrients (25-15-15 etc)

My palms LUV it and even respond with a "Howdy Jon - Bring It On" in a palmy kinda way.

Of course they talk . . . if you are receptive.

I chat to mine every day and I dont mind admitting it.

I somehow doubt if Im alone.

Regardez

Juan

[Trópico]

Wendi -

Thanks for the update. Let's wish for that poor Queenie a fast recovery.

You are very welcome on my part! This is the forum that breaks away from the usual heated debate-personal insulting between people hiding behind a keyboard. We are a very united community, united in palms, for the love of palms and each other. Yes I agree we males outnumber the females and it is nice everytime another gal joins the forum! We are growing! Thanks to Dean and all the people who have made this possible. The way I have learned from very supportive and knowledgeable people throughout the year or so I've been in the forum is impressive.