PalmsNorth.com

I want to improve the trachy seedlings root systems and get the roots to grow quicker. Has anyone tried a high phosphate fertilizer to give the root system a jump? What did you use?

Allen

I am going to experiment with my trachys and give 1/2 of the seedlings a light fertilizing of 15-30-15 every 2 weeks and see if it makes any difference. The first fertilizer was applied May 12/06.

The research that I have done on root growth in palms seems to indicate that it should not make any difference. But what the hell.

Allen

Allen I use "Superthrive" to help the roots for my palms and house plants. Google Superthrive to see more. I have also used B1 vitamin "Thrive Alive". Each works just as well for me. I think root bound potted palms benefit greatly from the additives.Try an experiment by using some on, and none on the others, kind of like a double blind test.
John

I went to their web site. It reads like 50 lbs of bull shit in a 20 lb bag.

If it works for you, I'll give it a try. I'll continue to blind test my palms with the fertilizer and feed all of them super thrive.

My primary and secondary nursery don't stock it. Where did you get yours?

Allen

I found a supplier for Superthrive in Edmonton:

Hydro-lite-- the local tokers supply store. I can't get any today because he is shutting down early to take his kid to soccer practice. HONEST

Allen

Superthrive is what I call snake oil... If you believe in wasting your money this is the product to use... Have a look @ the label or website. Show me where they can back up just 1 of their claims. First off do some research. Besides the B vitamin plants do not and can not use most of the BS in Superthrive...

Your best bet is to use Osmocote / Epsom salt & Black cow in the spring & Mid summer. I use a piece of rebarb & make holes around the tree about 1 ft deep & fill with Osmocote, then top dress with black cow & epsom salt ( 1/2 bag per tree )

What is osmocote? Why would you use epson salt as a top dressing?

Allen

You know I have seen that black cow when I was down south but I have never seen it here in chicago. What is it?

I believe black cow is just manure? I top dress my bananas and palms with manure every spring. Works great. I also use epsom salts to green up the palms after a long winter.

Epsom salt is Magnesium Sulfate, Osmocote is a slow release fertilizer. Jay is correct Black cow is a manure.

http://www.scottsprohort.com/products/f ... te_pro.cfm

http://www.blackkow.com/

Thanks Laaz;

What formula of Osmocote do you use?

I live in cattle country and the manure won't contain much in the way of trace minerals. Is there any other minerals that I should be supplementing my palms with? I can take my soil out of town to be analyzed but all they will do is recommend what fertilizer I need to add to grow a specific crop(hay,wheat,canola etc).

My palms are still seedlings but the fertilizer that I use--Miracle Gro 24-8-16 contains boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybednum, and zinc but no magnesium. I will be getting some larger palms this spring(sabals, trachys and a nannorrhops) and will be planting them outside. I would like to start them out properly.

Allen

Hey Allen I use the 19-5-9 Plus Minors (12-14 mo.). You can get Epsom salt at any good nursery. Even Walmart sells it in the garden dept.

You can get Empson salts from all drug stores. I buy the generic store brand since its much cheaper. People soak in it and add it to foods and drinks as a laxitive.

There are also trace element fertilizers (don't contain N-P-K). Further south there are special formulations just for palms.

I haven't tried any of these but they look good:

http://southernag.com/pclist-fert-nutri.htm

Irregardless of what type of fertilizer you use, you'll experience different growth rates on similar palms. I've used Osmocote and others and the results vary. A certain percentage will grow faster and others will be sluggish for no apparent reason.

Cheers, Barrie.

I have had success with mushroom manure and believe it or not a lawn fertilizer called Scotts premium lawn fertilizer 20 - 3 - 18 with lots of the trace elements.
I had really good growth on my trachies.
I just fertilized them the once though. In May

Thanks everyone.

Specialty fertilizers are pretty rare up here. Although we have Walmarts coming out our butts, they don't carry anything for exotic or tropical plants/trees. I'll get my epsom salts from the pharmacy

Allen