Boron deficiency?

[Melinda G]

Hello everyone! Very novice Palmer here. Also, first time posting, so please be kind! 

I just moved into this home about a month ago. There is a triple palm (I am guessing a Christmas palm/adonidia) in the front, and I noticed that the fronds were not opening on one of them. I was hoping it was due to one of the old, dead fronds not being able to drop as it was stuck on its neighbor's frond. We cut away the old, dead fronds, but now I am noticing the small, underdeveloped new fronds with the according-like shape. Also, I am afraid I appreciating a slight angle to the crownshaft as well. I read that these could be signs of boron deficiency but wanted to get the opinions of others as I know supplementing too much boron can also be detrimental. 

Can anyone help me out? If you do feel like this is possible boron deficiency, any advice on how to supplement? 

Thanks in advance!

Melinda

[Merlyn]

Welcome to Palmtalk!  It's definitely an Adonidia Merrillii a.k.a. Christmas Palm, and the center one is in definite need of some TLC.  I think you are correct on the boron deficiency, the "accordion" shape and stunted leaf growth is pretty bad on that center palm.  The other two don't look great either, but that's probably just a minor issue with lack of regular fertilizing.  The tips are a bit prematurely yellowed, which is usually just nitrogen.

The accordion shape, bending trunk and distorted small leaves are pretty conclusive.  Here's an article by UFL's Timothy Broschat about it:

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep264

About halfway down there's photos of an Adonidia with similar symptoms.  As you mentioned, boron is potentially toxic to plants, so you have to be careful when supplementing: "Because the difference between deficiency and toxic levels of B within plants is rather small, extreme caution should be exercised when applying B fertilizers."  Their recommendation is "rates for B products such as 20 Mule Team® products: Borax or Solubor and boric acid are two to four oz per medium to large palm. Dissolve the product in about four to five gallons of water and pour slowly over the root zone under the palm canopy. If a heavy rain occurs, B can be reapplied, otherwise, if only light rainfall or irrigation is received, do not reapply for about 3 months."  It may take up to a year to correct the deficency and get a normal-looking trunk and fronds, depending on the rate of growth.

http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2018/03/Boron-DeficiencyOct05.pdf

[Melinda G]

Thanks so much, Merlyn2220! I really appreciate the reply. Timothy Broschat's articles have been really helpful thus far, he is a great resource. I have already ordered some slow-release fertilizer based on his articles. It doesn't seem like the previous homeowner had fertilized any time recently. Or ever. 

I will get to ordering the boron supplementation! I tried to find the Granubor product (also the 20 Mule Team brand, I believe) but have thus far not been successful, so I will likely use the soluble form that you suggested. Any idea how the plants around the palm will be affected? There are various flowers and crotons. 

I recently bought some more rare palms that I am currently keeping in containers. I've been scouring PalmTalk for info on substrate for them. It has definitely been a steep learning curve thus far! Excited about it though. 

Thanks again! 

Melinda

 

 

[Merlyn]

I haven't had any noticeable boron deficiencies in my palms, so I can't help on how well it works.  I'm mostly just pulling from Broschat's articles.  I know that boron can be used as a broad-spectrum herbicide, so be careful!  20 Mule Team can be found at grocery stores, though I don't know if Publix carries it.  It's in the cleaning supplies aisle, usually as a laundry booster.  

Hopefully some others with direct experience with boron deficiency will chime in!   

[awkonradi]

Would it make sense to treat this using a multi-mineral fertilizer that includes boron, following the instructions, rather than attempt to treat this using pure borax?

[mike in kurtistown]

Most of the experts would recommend doing this. I do both, being very, very stingy with the boron crystals, but I have poisoned a couple of good plants.

[Melinda G]

Thanks everyone for their input! I found the granular form of the boron, so I'm going to give it a try. It will be a learning experience...

I definitely don't want to lose it, but at least I am not as emotionally or financially attached to this particular palm (compared to the ten others my husband and I have obtained since moving in ) . Also not particularly attached to the plants around it. 

Thanks again! I'll try to remember to post an update five months down the road. 

 

Melinda

[awkonradi]

Here is some guidance for application of borax to oil palms.  It recommends 50 grams per palm.  That is 3 tablespoons for this product.  I imagine your granular form of boron is very similar.  So, I would not use more than 3 tablespoons.   I would dissolve the 3 tablespoons in several gallons of water, and then pour the solution all around the palm.  I am a chemist.

https://agriculture.borax.com/products/fertibor

[Merlyn]

6 hours ago, awkonradi said:

Here is some guidance for application of borax to oil palms.  It recommends 50 grams per palm.  That is 3 tablespoons for this product.  I imagine your granular form of boron is very similar.  So, I would not use more than 3 tablespoons.   I would dissolve the 3 tablespoons in several gallons of water, and then pour the solution all around the palm.  I am a chemist.

https://agriculture.borax.com/products/fertibor

The Fertibor looks like it is 15% Disodium Tetraborate Pentahydrate by weight, so is their recommendation for 50 grams of Fertibor, or 50 grams of Boron?  Many years ago I bought a big tub of Timbor, which is the same Disodium Tetraborate Pentahydrate but 98% by weight.  Based on your number above, that would be about 1/2 tablespoon of Timbor is about right for 1 palm?

[awkonradi]

Fertibor and Timbor are both 100% Disodium Tetraborate Pentahydrate, which is 15% boron by weight.  So, apply Fertibor or Timbor following Fertibor's instuctions: 50 g (about 3 tablespoons) per palm.  Given the size of the palm in your pictures, I would dissolve that in several gallons of water, and then pour that in a disc around the base or your palm, about two feet in radius (four feet in diameter).  Remember, boron is a micronutrient, not a macronutrient like nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium. 

[Melinda G]

Hello, 

Just a quick update- Approximately 6 months later, we don’t look perfect but we do have some new growth! The small, accordion-shaped leaves are still present. I haven’t reapplied any boron product since the original application. I am thinking of giving it more time. Also, no surrounding plants were harmed with the boron application. 
thanks to all who responded! 

[aztropic]

Definitely be careful when applying boron.I used pure boric acid to cure the accordian problem years ago and ended up killing a few smaller palms with the stuff. Took care of the problem all right - just had to replace the trees!

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[awkonradi]

2 hours ago, Melinda G said:

Hello, 

Just a quick update- Approximately 6 months later, we don’t look perfect but we do have some new growth! The small, accordion-shaped leaves are still present. I haven’t reapplied any boron product since the original application. I am thinking of giving it more time. Also, no surrounding plants were harmed with the boron application. 
thanks to all who responded! 

Looks like the new fronds, inside the accordion fronds, are normal.  Is that right?

 

[Melinda G]

Correct, all of the new fronds look normal!