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 8)

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/fertilizers/osmocote_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