PalmTreeGardens.com
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Transplanting and Fertilizing are important factors to be considerd. Transplanting Depth: It is very important that palms not be transplanted any deeper than they were originally grown. The root initiation zone at the base of the trunk is extremely sensitive in this regard, and planting too deeply will cause root suffocation, nutritional deficiencies, root rot disease and, frequently, loss of palm. The decline of deeply planted palms may take several years to become apparent, especially on very well-drained soils, but it can only be reversed by removing the backfill from the suffocated root initiation zone or replanting the palm. All air pockets should be tamped out of the backfill as the planting hole is filled.
If good soil is not present where you are planting, (such as clay) you should dig the hole out 2-4 feet larger than needed, and bring in good potting soil, or loose sand mix
Fertilizing Palms
The frequency with which landscape palms need to be fertilzed depends greatly on the type of soil in which they are planted and the amount of rainfall (or irrigation) that they will recieve. Palms planted in poor,shallow soils coupled with heavy rainfall (or irrigation) during the growing season results in a very low natural reservoir of essential plant nutrients. Mature palms 10' and taller should recieve a complete granular palm fertilizer three to four times a year at a rate of 5-8 lbs each application. Dropping below a minimum of two applications, even for the most budget conscious maintenance shedules, is not recommended. In soils of higher quality, the nutrient holding capacity of these soils should allow less frequent application of fertilzer. Elsewhere, palms planted in loamy, organic, or clay based soils may also get by with less fertilzer. Use a Palm fertilizer containing additional magnesium and a complete micronutrient amendment. Nitrogen and Potassium rates in the formation should be equivalent, and some or all of both elements should be available in slow release form.
