Mule nutrient deficiency

[Chris Chance]

This mule always suffers from yellow leaves and i would like to correct it. I took a close up of a leaf to show what I'm talking about. It's growing well but I would like it to hold green leaves longer. Any ideas what it's lacking?

[Chris Chance]

I'm going to guess it's potassium. The leaves always open nice and green and quickly spot and turn yellow but would like some other opinions. Thank you everyone. 

[PalmatierMeg]

Could be potassium - SWFL soil is quite potassium-deficient and yours may be too. I bought 50lbs of 0-0-24 slow release that I can use during summer fertilizer blackouts because K is the only major element allowed then. You should also be able to find the equivalent to add extra K. In case you have multiple mineral deficiencies (likely) consider getting Southern Ag's Essential Minor Elements in granular form. It has all the minors in more substantial amounts than all purpose fertilizer.

[Allen]

Are all the fronds like that?  that looks pretty rough.  

[Chris Chance]

10 minutes ago, Allen said:

Are all the fronds like that?  that looks pretty rough.  

It's pretty much the lower fronds. They open nice a green then start to spot up like that. Hard to get a shot of the whole palm right now. I picked up a bag of Palm Plus to try. It has micros and all so I will see if that helps.

[Chris Chance]

1 hour ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Could be potassium - SWFL soil is quite potassium-deficient and yours may be too. I bought 50lbs of 0-0-24 slow release that I can use during summer fertilizer blackouts because K is the only major element allowed then. You should also be able to find the equivalent to add extra K. In case you have multiple mineral deficiencies (likely) consider getting Southern Ag's Essential Minor Elements in granular form. It has all the minors in more substantial amounts than all purpose fertilizer.

I know the soil here is much different than Florida but any specific deficiency should look about the same. I think it might need more magnesium as well. I just got a fert that has it all so maybe that will do the trick. 

[PalmatierMeg]

Magnesium and potassium have a yin/yang relationship. If you boost one you must boost the other. Magnesium is epsom salts and easy to find.

[Chris Chance]

Here's  a look at the whole palm now that lighting is better. I think it's pretty cool looking.  Leaves are very droopy so I'm assuming it leads a bit on the Syagrus side. 

[Allen]

Good looking palm.  Should resolve well after it grows with some nutrition.  Mine in a pot is approaching 10'.  Wish I could plant it.

[sonoranfans]

The potassium is easily spotted by the blotchiness, but there could be other issues as well.  This is a deficient palm and it may be that Fe and Mg are also deficient.  Looking at the green color of the palm it looks a bit pale, its possibly Mg and/or Fe deficient as well.    I'd put some good palm fertilizer down now and then again in 3 months.  At that point you shold know if its working.

[Steve in Florida]

11 hours ago, Chris Chance said:

It's pretty much the lower fronds. They open nice a green then start to spot up like that. Hard to get a shot of the whole palm right now. I picked up a bag of Palm Plus to try. It has micros and all so I will see if that helps.

So you are planning to fertilize it for the first time?

[Chris Chance]

10 hours ago, Steve in Florida said:

So you are planning to fertilize it for the first time?

It's not my first time fertilizing it but seems very prone to yellowing and I just want to know what exactly it's lacking. I just put down some Palm Plus which has micros and all. I think time will tell if it works. I was using Vigero for the longest time but honestly have slacked on fertilizer the last few years.