when to fertilize after hard freeze

[tstex]

Hello to all,

Well, our sylvester date palm looks like it is pushing up new growth after the hard 15 degree freeze killed all the prior growth.  When can I fertilize to help promote stronger growth?   There's nothing in the long term forecast stating any more arctic blasts.

Thank you, tom

[D Palm]

If a palm is hit hard, I will do some fish emulsions once night temps do not drop below 60 and the ground is warm. Synthetic granulars around late May or June. That is for severely winter damaged palms.

[tstex]

Thanks D palm.  I do not believe it was seriously damage to where either trunk or rot damage was evidenced.  However, some of that cannot be determined at this early stage of recovery.

There does seem to be a decent amt of green foliage sprouting and a lot of healthy looking seed strands are evidenced too.  Just do not want to do anything to stress the palm if normal palm fertilizer is not appropriate in early spring?

Thanks

[tstex]

Well, thanks for everyone's help...adios

[Xerarch]

For sure I’d wait until threat of freezes has passed, for me I think they have and we should have warm temps from here forward, I just fertilized and watered everything to kick off spring. A rule of thumb for me is Valentine’s Day, if nothing bad is in the forecast, I fertilize everything. Palm fertilizer is fine. 

[tstex]

Thank you Xer...hope you're enjoying Texas !

[BayAndroid]

A question for the crowd; since my palms have all been having a hard time this winter. Some of my palms are near death, and a couple just looking sad. How would you recommend fertilizing in these circumstances? 

Fertilize lightly with organic fertilizer? Fertilize heavily with organic fertilizer? Assuming the threat of frost is over, is there any delay recommended before applying it, or just apply as soon as it is safe?

Palms in question are mostly Archontophoenix. 

[tstex]

Bay,  based on above, I would follow the emulsion instructions if your palms are in a precarious state.  If they gain good traction, then you can fertilize as it warms...

I have a very good "root stimulator" that I am also going to apply.  I did this when we were in a very bad drought and it really helped.  I first watered the area pretty good w slow soaking water, then waited a day and applied the root stimulator.  

[tstex]

Here’s a few pics.   

Should I remove the dead leaves from the top green emerging fronds?  These tips were frozen while what’s showing was hidden w in trunk. 

The palm seems to be cranking out the seeds.  Does palm know something I do not?  
 

thank you 

Edited February 19, 2023 by tstex

[Rivera]

On 2/16/2023 at 6:55 PM, BayAndroid said:

A question for the crowd; since my palms have all been having a hard time this winter. Some of my palms are near death, and a couple just looking sad. How would you recommend fertilizing in these circumstances? 

Fertilize lightly with organic fertilizer? Fertilize heavily with organic fertilizer? Assuming the threat of frost is over, is there any delay recommended before applying it, or just apply as soon as it is safe?

Palms in question are mostly Archontophoenix. 

Sorry to hear this. We had some chilly nights this winter, even close to the ocean. It's been warming up, but I had some surprise frost yesterday morning. Hopefully that's the last of it.

For what it's worth, I'm now top dressing lightly with MicroLife Ultimate. A handful of my hardier plants also are getting a very light dose of blood meal. 

Chris in SF