Joey magnifica in garden

[Al in Kona]

This is a pic of my Joey magnifica planted in the garden in a mostly shaded area in a rather loose porous soil.   The last two leaves have emerged to look like the photo below shows.  Is that a micronutrient problem or what is wrong?  What element is it lacking?  Any prompt advise will be greatly appreciated as I'd like to apply  whatever it needs to correct the problem and return it to a healthy look again.

[Matt in SD]

That's sad Al.  I remember you had a perfectly grown J magnifica in a pot when I was there a few years ago.  Same palm?

It seems that if you look at J magnifica wrong it will do stuff like that (unless you're growing it in Singapore or something). Mine keeps alternating 1" leaves and then 10" leaves...10 steps forward, 9 steps back.

How long ago did you plant it?

Matt

[Al in Kona]

Yeah Matt that is the same plant.  It has been in the ground for several years.  I do have another smaller one in a pot that I want to plant out also but first I want to find out more info about the conditions they like or need to grow well - soil type and PH preferred ( seems to me I once read they grow in somewhat limestone soils in habitat - has anyone else heard that?),  preferred fertilizer, water requirements, etc.  I know they need shade but as they grow will they handle some sun?  Jerry Andersen in Leilani Estates has a nice one growing and reasonably good size too.  Come on Jerry, tell me your secret!  How about any of you in Australia who might be growing it - or anywhere for that matter.  Any information will be greatly appreciated.

[Gileno Machado]

Al:

I feel sorry for your Joey too. How long ago have you planted it in the ground? I'm growing 5 Joeys at the moment, all of them germinated from seed: 2 magnificas and 3 altifrons. They're still in pots though. I've kept 3 of them under 50% shade and protected from the wind. The others I've moved outside this winter, under canopy. I've noticed that the ones outside seem to be growing faster but the tips of the older leaves were dissecating a little bit. I've added humus to the pots and this seemed to have stabilized the ageing process. I think these palms need continuous watering even during the winter and they prefer a heavier organic soil instead of a fast draining one, like the most tender licualas...

[Kris]

Dear Al  

iam no plant expert but i feel that its drying up ! may be due to some infection.since it does not seem to be like a heat or cold damage.

did this problem occur gradually or suddenly ? but the situation looks like that palm needs despirate need for help !

can you try superthrive for a month and also feed it will

micronutrients and but do not give it regular brand of fert dosage...may be the reason could be overdosage of fert,done by a palm novice.check that out...

And why iam talking here is i love this variety very much.so i could not contain speaking remadies.

Love,

Kris  

[Davidl]

I would guess it a nutritional because it is thoughout the leaf. If its from being dry usually the tips of the fronds are brown first. Also The leaf looks not as dark green as the others. I would try a palm fertilizer with minors if you haven't already.

[Al in Kona]

I think I'll put some nutricoat with minors around it and see if it slowly improves.  Any other suggestions from anyone?

[Darold Petty]

Hello Al;    A rough rule of thumb is that deficiencies of the major nutrients (NPK)  appear on the older foliage first,  and deficiencies of the minor elements appear on the newest foliage.  I would suspect that your problem is the latter, especially if you are growing in just that black lava with a paucity of humus.

 PS  I'd like to come over for a visit the next time I stay with Garrin!

[Phil]

Tim Broschat is the expert on Palm nurtritional deficiencies.  Here's a link to a summary of his on the net:  http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/horticulture/Palm-Nutrition-Fertilization.PDF  I've copied it below.   I am sure that these observations vary from species to species.  And, who has a "lot" of experience with Joey's?  What you will probably end up doing is ensure adequate water, put on a good fertilization program, and add microelements.  Soil testing your pH would rule out this problem.  When I get sickly looking plants, I'll often give them a dose of micro's and observe.  You could use MicroMax or Ironite.    But, remember these things are quick release and also a salt (burn).  You can easily test for overall salt in the soil.  There are cheap instruments for this.  Also, check out manganese deficiency below.  Good luck,

Phil  

Nutrition and Fertilization of Landscape Palms

Timothy K. Broschat, Ph.D.

University of Florida-Ft. Lauderdale Research & Education Center

1. Common nutritional deficiencies on landscape palms

a. Nitrogen—reduced growth rate; uniform chlorosis of older or all leaves

b. Potassium—translucent yellow-orange or necrotic spotting, marginal necrosis, and frizzling on

oldest leaves; more severe on leaf tips than bases; can be fatal; treat with sulfur-coated potassium

sulfate

c. Magnesium—marginal chlorosis on the oldest leaves; treat with coated magnesium sulfate or

prilled kieserite

d. Iron—interveinal or general chlorosis (sharply delimited green veins) on newest leaves; treat

alkaline soils with soil application of chelated iron FeEDDHA (138) or Hampshire iron; treat acid

soils with FeDTPA (330)

e. Manganese—diffuse interveinal chlorosis accompanied by interveinal necrotic streaking on newest

leaves; also causes reduced new leaf size and frizzling; more severe at leaf base than tip; often fatal

on palms; treat with MnSO4 (TechMangam)

f. Boron—small, crumpled new leaves; may cause a sharp bend in the trunk and horizontal growth;

can kill the bud

2. Causes of nutritional deficiencies

a. Insufficient nutrients in the soil, usually due to leaching (e.g., N, K, Mg,

b. High soil pH (e.g., Fe, Mn); can usually be decreased with elemental sulfur, FeSO4, or ammonium

or urea fertilizers

c. Complexation with organic matter (e.g., Cu; also Mn by composted sewage sludges)

d. Nutrient imbalance—too much of one element can induce a deficiency of another element (e.g., N

vs. K, K vs. Mg, etc.)

e. Poor soil aeration (usually Fe)

f. Excessive planting depth (essentially a poor soil aeration problem)

g. Root rot diseases (reduce root surface area available for micronutrient uptake; usually expressed as

Fe deficiency)

h. Removal of K-deficient older palm leaves accelerates rate of decline from K deficiency

3. Importance of proper fertilization rates

a. Too little results in deficiencies

b. Excessive macronutrients can cause soluble salt injury

c. Excessive micronutrients can cause nutrient toxicities

4. Prevention of deficiencies is much easier than correcting them after the fact

5. Treatment of deficiencies

a. Identify and correct any cultural causes first

b. Treat with appropriate fertilizers

6. Landscape fertilization

a. Use 2N-1 P-3K-1 Mg ratio fertilizers (e.g., 8- 4-12-4) that include all micronutrients

b. 100% of N, K, and Mg should be in controlled release form

c. Broadcast using a rotary spreader under the canopy of isolated palms or entire beds or landscapes

d. Apply 1.5 lbs. of actual fertilizer (not N) per 100 sq. ft. every 3 months or 1 lb. per 100 sq. ft.

every 2 months

e. DO NOT USE TURF FERTILIZERS or landscape fertilizers with water soluble K within 30 ft. of

any palm.

f. USE CONTROLLED RELEASE LANDSCAPE FERTILIZERS described above for ALL plants

in the landscape, including turf in mixed landscapes

For more details, see EDIS DL#EP-052: Palm Nutrition Guide

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP052

[eastern.nurseries]

Good advice, a soil analysis should be the benchmark for your soils nutrition

[Al in Kona]

Thanks to all who gave input on this problem regarding  my Joey magnifica.

Phil, your information was most helpful.  Then after reading more on diseases and disorders of palms and in particular, Symptomology:  Manganese - I'm inclined to lean toward a possible Manganese deficiency.  Also a soil PH test might be in order.

Darold, do stop by for a visit with Garrin on your next trip to Hawaii.  I'll even show you my Joey!  lol