Palm Tree Care

[FLSpartan]

Hello, 

In January, we had our Sylvester Palm installed in Ponte Vedra, FL.  I'm here to ask if anyone knows if this amount of yellowing is normal?  I've read that it's possible that I could be over watering (currently 3 times a week 40 minutes).  

Also our European Fan Palms are showing some yellowing as well as this black fungus.  Could all this be related to watering or is there some other explanation on why we would be seeing this show up.

TIA

[awkonradi]

Hi John,

Welcome to PalmTalk!  I hope that you get some responses from some experienced palm growers in Florida.  I am not very experienced, and I have no experience in Florida.

However, to my eye, your Sylvester palm looks quite healthy, especially given that it was planted only 3-4 months ago.  I doubt that you have overwatered it, but I think maybe you can reduce the watering as it further establishes its roots.  Given the slight yellowing, I think that it might benefit from a little fertilizer.  Initially, I would apply any fertilizer well below the manufacturer's suggested level, so not to shock a recently planted palm.  You always can add more fertlizer later.

Would you like to post pictures of your entire Mediterranean fan palms?  I think MAYBE that amount of black spotting is typical for these palms in your humid climate, and I think MAYBE it is innocuous.  If those palms have been growing in place for some time, then I think MAYBE they don't need any supplementary water at all.  Mediterranean fan palms thrive in climates much more arid than Ponte Vedra.  If there is some yellowing, then again, I think these might benefit from a little fertilizer.

Edited April 29, 2023 by awkonradi

[FLSpartan]

2 hours ago, awkonradi said:

Hi John,

Welcome to PalmTalk!  I hope that you get some responses from some experienced palm growers in Florida.  I am not very experienced, and I have no experience in Florida.

However, to my eye, your Sylvester palm looks quite healthy, especially given that it was planted only 3-4 months ago.  I doubt that you have overwatered it, but I think maybe you can reduce the watering as it further establishes its roots.  Given the slight yellowing, I think that it might benefit from a little fertilizer.  Initially, I would apply any fertilizer well below the manufacturer's suggested level, so not to shock a recently planted palm.  You always can add more fertlizer later.

Would you like to post pictures of your entire Mediterranean fan palms?  I think MAYBE that amount of black spotting is typical for these palms in your humid climate, and I think MAYBE it is innocuous.  If those palms have been growing in place for some time, then I think MAYBE they don't need any supplementary water at all.  Mediterranean fan palms thrive in climates much more arid than Ponte Vedra.  If there is some yellowing, then again, I think these might benefit from a little fertilizer.

Thank you for welcoming me and thank you for the reply!  As I grew up in the Midwest, the care of palm trees and other native plants is all new to me.    

[Merlyn]

I think both palms look pretty good overall, and I'd agree you could fertilize both palms if it's been 3-4 months.  Usually palms will "eat" the oldest leaves for nutrients to grow new roots and fronds, so don't cut them off until they are crispy brown and dried out.  If you are near the shore and on high pH soil made of crushed seashells, then you might have to pay attention to nutrient deficiencies.  If your soil is "normal" and slightly acidic then generic "palm" fertilizer will usually keep them healthy.  A common recommendation here is PalmGain 8-2-12.  The dosage is 1.5lb of 8-2-12 for every 100sqft of canopy.  So a 12' diameter Sylvester crown is 6*6*3.1415 = 113sqft, so a bit over 1.5lb is a good dose 4x per year.  A decent sized handful on the Mediterranean fan is fine.  The yellowing tips are probably a "normal" magnesium deficiency, I say "normal" because I see it all over the place.  Adding a handful of Magnesium Sulfate (I use Rite-Green brand) will help.

As far as the black sooty mold goes, spraying water into the crown could contribute to it.  But I have seen this on nursery plants when they are cramped together with overhead watering and not enough sun and airflow.  I had this on a couple of trunking Chamaerops and they grew out of it.  Regular household 3% hydrogen peroxide is a good surface fungus killer, I'd squirt some into each crown and spray some onto the rachis.  It's *probably* mostly cosmetic, and being out in full sun will help get rid of it.  This one generally doesn't need to be watered here in swampy Floriduh.

[awkonradi]

Those fan palms look great.  So, in my judgement, there is no need for any major changes in the care that they are receiving.  However, if any of the newer fronds are showing some yellow, then I think a little fertilizer would not hurt.  Whatever is the black spotting, it does not seem to be affecting the vigor of those palms.  So, unless you consider the black spotting to be unsightly, I wouldn't worry about it.  Hopefully, a Florida palm grower will comment.  EDIT: Good, you're getting some Florida wisdom!

Edited April 29, 2023 by awkonradi

[FLSpartan]

On 4/29/2023 at 4:25 PM, Merlyn said:

I think both palms look pretty good overall, and I'd agree you could fertilize both palms if it's been 3-4 months.  Usually palms will "eat" the oldest leaves for nutrients to grow new roots and fronds, so don't cut them off until they are crispy brown and dried out.  If you are near the shore and on high pH soil made of crushed seashells, then you might have to pay attention to nutrient deficiencies.  If your soil is "normal" and slightly acidic then generic "palm" fertilizer will usually keep them healthy.  A common recommendation here is PalmGain 8-2-12.  The dosage is 1.5lb of 8-2-12 for every 100sqft of canopy.  So a 12' diameter Sylvester crown is 6*6*3.1415 = 113sqft, so a bit over 1.5lb is a good dose 4x per year.  A decent sized handful on the Mediterranean fan is fine.  The yellowing tips are probably a "normal" magnesium deficiency, I say "normal" because I see it all over the place.  Adding a handful of Magnesium Sulfate (I use Rite-Green brand) will help.

As far as the black sooty mold goes, spraying water into the crown could contribute to it.  But I have seen this on nursery plants when they are cramped together with overhead watering and not enough sun and airflow.  I had this on a couple of trunking Chamaerops and they grew out of it.  Regular household 3% hydrogen peroxide is a good surface fungus killer, I'd squirt some into each crown and spray some onto the rachis.  It's *probably* mostly cosmetic, and being out in full sun will help get rid of it.  This one generally doesn't need to be watered here in swampy Floriduh.

Another question, our palms sit within raised planters which you can see from the first picture.  They used commercial grade weed fabric underneath the rocks.  Will the commercial grade weed fabric have an impact on either the magnesium Sulfate or the palm fertilizer?  Would it be better to remove the rocks and apply the fertilizer right on the dirt for best results?  Appreciate any thoughts.

[Merlyn]

25 minutes ago, FLSpartan said:

Another question, our palms sit within raised planters which you can see from the first picture.  They used commercial grade weed fabric underneath the rocks.  Will the commercial grade weed fabric have an impact on either the magnesium Sulfate or the palm fertilizer?  Would it be better to remove the rocks and apply the fertilizer right on the dirt for best results?  Appreciate any thoughts.

The weed fabric should allow water to flow through it, so it shouldn't make a difference.  You want the fertilizer to dissolve slowly with rain/sprinkler water anyway.  I suppose the fabric pores could get clogged over time, but I think you'd notice water pooling on the top before it would matter to the fertilizer.  One thing to be aware of is that fertilizers can stain rocks.  Iron and Manganese might stain them brown if it dissolves quickly.  There was a discussion about this here a few days ago, I'll see if I can find it.

[Merlyn]

Hah, I found it!

 

[byuind]

I’ll make sure to update once I figure out the best way to avoid potential stains!