Palm trees are an indispensable part of the Southwest Florida landscape—nothing says paradise like our majestic palms.
This is the fifth of 12 Landscaping Tips for a Florida-Friendly Yard,
which can be downloaded from our free eBook library.
With their leafy fronds rustling in the gentle breeze, they signal that you and your family live in a tropical eden. But palms need optimal care to look their very best, and there are a few points you should consider when it comes to caring for your palm trees.
One of the most important elements to remember when evaluating your palm trees is the condition of the soil. There are more than 2,000 species of palm trees in the world, and each one differs in terms of its salt and drought tolerance.
Unlike many trees, palm trees do not have deep branching roots that reach far beneath the top layer of soil. Instead, they have a compact root ball that does not increase in size even as the tree grows. This shallow root system means that palm trees look to the top soil to provide most of the nutrients required for growth. Often this top soil is nutrient-deficient, and you’ll require special fertilizer to ensure optimal health for your palms.
Palms can often become deficient in boron, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Look for symptoms like yellow streaking or mottling, leaf tips that are dead and curled, or orange coloring at the base of leaves. Depending on the nutrient that’s missing, you can add a specific fertilizer to target the problem. A good maintenance fertilizer is also required to keep your palms healthy. Read the rest of this entry »
