Potted Jubaea discoloration

[BeyondTheGarden]

This thing has grown slowly over the year and a half or so that I have had it, it started life on the west coast and spent some time on my front porch when I first moved to NC this summer. 

I almost never water it and it currently resides near a south facing window and under a growlight which I turn on every couple days when there's not much sun. 

I can't remember what soil I used, probably a miracle grow palm and cactus with some added aggregate like wood mulch, perlite or whatever I had on hand. 

I assume this is a nutrient deficiency but I don't know.   Should I buy a soil test kit from Amazon? 

 

[Pal Meir]

Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) deficiency???🤔

[Pal Meir]

… or maybe a deficiency of manganese sulfate (MnSO4.H2O)?

[BeyondTheGarden]

Thank you @Pal Meir; I had assumed it was not possible to do a visual diagnostic beyond the limited extent of calling it a "nutrient deficiency".  

I ordered a soil test kit on amazon, but it only tests a few metrics, and I generally don't trust them.  Awhile back I ordered a 4-in-1 PH meter that also checks moisture, light exposure, and temperature.  It had 2,000 plus reviews and 4.1 stars, but it is total garbage.  It's saying all of my soil and potting soil is over 7, and saying it is dry when it's clearly wet.  

I'm still waiting on the state of North Carolina to send me the results of my soil... too bad they don't test potting media...

[Banana Belt]

On 12/13/2023 at 4:17 AM, BeyondTheGarden said:

I almost never water it

Why no water?  Pot looks a bit small, but Jubaea normally have soft yellow new shoots even in a fast growing adult.  I am sure the palm would enjoy a bigger pot with good soil and a bit more watering.

[BeyondTheGarden]

45 minutes ago, Banana Belt said:

Why no water?  Pot looks a bit small, but Jubaea normally have soft yellow new shoots even in a fast growing adult.  I am sure the palm would enjoy a bigger pot with good soil and a bit more watering.

I think over-watering has been the greatest reason I have killed so many small Jubaea. They seem to do better when I neglect to water them. 

[Pal Meir]

15 hours ago, BeyondTheGarden said:

Thank you @Pal Meir; I had assumed it was not possible to do a visual diagnostic beyond the limited extent of calling it a "nutrient deficiency".  

I ordered a soil test kit on amazon, but it only tests a few metrics, and I generally don't trust them.  Awhile back I ordered a 4-in-1 PH meter that also checks moisture, light exposure, and temperature.  It had 2,000 plus reviews and 4.1 stars, but it is total garbage.  It's saying all of my soil and potting soil is over 7, and saying it is dry when it's clearly wet.  

I'm still waiting on the state of North Carolina to send me the results of my soil... too bad they don't test potting media...

MgSO4 to lower pH, and Mn is a specific need for Jubaea.

[PalmatierMeg]

I can't speak for NC but Jubaeas are no-grows here in SWFL, maybe all of FL. Our 6-7 month rainy, humid summer days and sweltering nights do them in. They need cool/chilly nights that are prevalent in many parts of Cali. Our short, dry coolish winters can't make up the damage our hot wet summers do. I suspect Jubaeas can't hack the SE US climate unless they are grown in conservatory conditions. I found that out through research and decided not to waste palm funds on a lost cause. When I first started growing palms I thought if I worked hard enough, tried, tried again, and cared enough I just might be able to grow palm species no one else around here could. Wrong. If a palm hates my climate who am I to tell it otherwise?

[BeyondTheGarden]

Thank you @PalmatierMeg.  I had this palm already when I moved from the west coast, so I decided to bring it with me.  I know several folks have tried growing them in the SE, unsuccessfully.  However, I know of one being grown in Jacksonville, I am not sure how long it has been in-ground but I believe it is somehow doing OK for @Scott W.  I have read that Jubaea-Butia hybrids do OK in the SE; that would be a nice thing to try. 

The Jubaea in question here, I have hit with some Palmgain and moved the grow-light closer, two or three weeks ago now.  It is happier now.  

[BeyondTheGarden]

I measured the growth rate a couple weeks ago and the center spear was pushing at a rate of 1" in 4-5 days.  Perhaps the fastest any of my (small) Jubaeas have ever grown. This is the largest Jubaea I have ever had.   I actually got it from @Hutch from down near Eugene Oregon, but I have not seen him on here in a couple of years now. 

 

[PalmatierMeg]

Best wishes. I suspect crossing them with Butias gives them more fortitude.

[Banana Belt]

On 12/13/2023 at 4:17 AM, BeyondTheGarden said:

I assume this is a nutrient deficiency but I don't know. 

Looking at the emerging new growth "Spear" which is yellow, I see nothing unusual.  I have two big Jubaea that have always had yellow new emerging leaves at the top spear.  This is normal and if you watch the leaves will turn green when they get bigger and older.  

[Scott W]

On 1/8/2024 at 12:59 PM, BeyondTheGarden said:

Thank you @PalmatierMeg.  I had this palm already when I moved from the west coast, so I decided to bring it with me.  I know several folks have tried growing them in the SE, unsuccessfully.  However, I know of one being grown in Jacksonville, I am not sure how long it has been in-ground but I believe it is somehow doing OK for @Scott W.  I have read that Jubaea-Butia hybrids do OK in the SE; that would be a nice thing to try. 

The Jubaea in question here, I have hit with some Palmgain and moved the grow-light closer, two or three weeks ago now.  It is happier now.  

Yeah, I'm in Jacksonville so our climate can be quite different than South Florida.  I also believe that my soil has something to do with it.  Regardless,  it is thriving and doing well for me...only time will tell I guess.

 

[BeyondTheGarden]

2 minutes ago, Scott W said:

Yeah, I'm in Jacksonville so our climate can be quite different than South Florida.  I also believe that my soil has something to do with it.  Regardless,  it is thriving and doing well for me...only time will tell I guess.

 

Do you have clay at all or just straight sand?  You're pretty close to the water table too right?

[Scott W]

14 minutes ago, BeyondTheGarden said:

Do you have clay at all or just straight sand?  You're pretty close to the water table too right?

Yes and no on the water table.  My yard has several elevation changes which ends at a creek.  This is planted at the top of the elevation and the soil is a well draining sand that looks like the picture below.

[BeyondTheGarden]

Looks pretty similar to up here, mostly sand and some clay.  I believe you've said it on another forum but I can't remember; how long has your Jubaea been in the ground?  Any observations on growth rate, problems, do you water or fertilize at all?

[Scott W]

18 hours ago, BeyondTheGarden said:

Looks pretty similar to up here, mostly sand and some clay.  I believe you've said it on another forum but I can't remember; how long has your Jubaea been in the ground?  Any observations on growth rate, problems, do you water or fertilize at all?

It's been in the ground 7ish years now.  I hit it three times a year with a palm fertilizer and drip irrigation in the dryer times.

Growth rate seems about right from what I understand of them....slow....

Only issue was what I diagnosed as leaf skeletonizer two years ago, which I seem to have eliminated.