Palm Care- Scrivner's Garden Center Fort Myers, Florida

The first step to choosing the right palm is to know the area where you will be planting it. Light requirements are extremely important. You should also know your soil pH and if you are in a salt area. Some palms are not salt tolerant. Water will also be an important issue, you should have it checked for salt.

Planting:
The hole should be dug at least 2 times the size of the root ball. Water the palm with Ferti-Lome Root Stimulator BEFORE planting. You should use 1/2 Earth food and 1/2 your existing soil.

Use a water hose to jet soil in around the roots so there are no air pockets.
Leave a berm mounded around palm area to hold in water.
Water thoroughly 3 times weekly for the first 2 weeks and then 2 times a week thereafter.
Larger palms should be staked for the first 6-8 months.
No fertilizer for the first 6 weeks.
The palm should remain moist but not saturated for the first 4-6 months.

Fertilization:
Palms should be fertilized a "minimum" of 4 times a year with a good slow release palm fertilizer such as Scrivner's Palm Special, 12-5-12 with all minor elements.
Palms need extra manganese to control "Frizzletop" and extra magnesium to control the yellowing of the fronds.

You should apply 1 lb for every 2 ft of height. (1 lb = 2 cups) Spread it around evenly from about 12 inches from the trunk, outward to the end of branch spread.
If you have grass growing closely to your palm, you may make holes around palm to put fertilizer in. Note: Do not go deeper than 12 inches or you can bypass the roots.
Never apply fertilizer on dry ground!!!!!!

Insects:
For scale and various insects, Hi-Yield Acephate will work very well.
For Snow Scale on Sago's: Drench the ground with Hi-Yield Acephate (2 TBSP/gal water) and spray the fronds with Dormant Oil (3 and 1/2 TBSP/gal water) 4 applications of both 7 days apart. A follow up with Di-Syston every 45-60 days to keep the scale from returning.

Fungus:
For leaf spot: Liquid Copper Fungicide sprayed on fronds ( 4-6 tsp/gal water) 3 applications, 10 days apart.
For bud rot or root rot: 1 application of Subdue II around root area (1 tsp. / 5 gal water)

Palms can get other diseases such as Ganoderma (no cure is known at this time) and also Lethal Yellowing. If you feel you may have these diseases, you should call your local Agricultural agent and have them look at these palms.

Please DO NOT bring samples into your garden center if you suspect that you have these diseases because they are very contagious and it could cause agricultural problems for your local gardeners. You can call Garden Center and our professionals will be glad to answer any of your questions and help you with any gardening problems.