WIND BURN

We are seeing palms that are suffering from wind burn coming out of winter this year.  The symptoms are terrible.  Palms have the look that every frond has died and the new ones are brown and show no sign of life.  They're not dead yet but they do need life support.  

 

We are seeing this in palms that have been in the ground for several years and that are planted in soil that was brought in, like 3 way mixes.  These soils have a lot of wood fibers in them and have a tendency to burn up nitrogen and potassium in the soil when decomposing.  This creates a potassium deficiency in the soil.  Potassium deficiency leaves the palms vulnerable to wind burn.

 

Potassium deficiency:  Symptoms: Causes yellow, orange or brown flecks and necrotic margins of older leaves. Withering ("frizzling") begins on these older leaves first. From a distance these leaves often appear brown or orange in color. If deficiency is severe enough, new shoots will eventually be affected. If unattended, the palm may die. Curing the potassium deficiency can lead to magnesium deficiency. To balance, Potassium and Magnesium should be applied together. Potassium deficiency can happen during wet Washington winters. 

 

Treatment:

Trim the dead fronds off, you may end up with a pole in your yard but that's okay. Give a tug on the frond spike and see if it pulls out.  If it does that's okay but you will need to spray the center with Copper Sulfide Soap. 

 

Now to get the soil up to snuff.  You need to add both potassium and magnesium to the soil and you need to do it now.  There are several ways to do this.  Normal response time is 1 to 3 months.

 

Potassium:  Potash is a great way to add potassium in a hurry.  2 to 4 cups applied by field casting in a 6 foot diameter for a 6’ tall palm. Read package instructions, there are different potencies of potash. Rake and water in.

 

Magnesium:  Magnesium Sulphate: If your palms are planted in newer soil, I would add this. If you are treating for potassium deficiency you will need to add this too.

 

Manganese deficiency:  Symptoms: Affects the new emerging leaves, causing yellowing and necrosis between the veins and a reduction in leaf size. As deficiency becomes severe, the new leaves wither and have a "frizzled" look. If not promptly treated, Manganese deficiency can be fatal to the palm. 

Here’s how to treat it:

Manganese: 2 to 4 cups of Epsom Salts applied by field casting in a 6 foot diameter for a 6’ tall palm. Rake and water in.

Superthrive:  This is for plant shock and a must.

Please see our SuperThrive page

SOIL CONDITIONS