Caring for Palms - When to Fertilize Phoenix Reclinata Palm Trees


The Phoenix Reclinata also known as a Senegal Date Palm is one of the most beautiful and expensive palm trees. If your Phoenix Reclinata palms are the correct species for you temperature zone, then once established they will need very little maintenance. Their multiple trunks and full crowns add beauty and elegance to any landscape. To grow beautiful, healthy phoenix reclinata palms you need to follow a few basic steps. Water, prune and fertilize.

This article will deal with fertilizing phoenix reclinata palms. The issue of fertilizing palms can be either simple or complicated depending on how you approach the subject. I prefer a simple, straight forward approach. Simply fertilize three times a year with a 3 month slow release fertilizer designed for palms. After applying the fertilizer simply water it in. Here are some guidelines for fertilizer amounts to use with Phoenix Reclinata palms. (These guidelines and are not to replace the fertilizer manufacturers instructions - follow the instructions on the bag and by all means do not over fertilize your trees) For the initial fertilization blend in fertilizer at the time of planting to enrich the soil removed from the hole. Mix at a rate of two ounces of palm fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter. (for multi trunk trees I add the diameter of the trunks together) After planting and watering in the tree you can add one additional ounce of slow release palm fertilizer per three inches of trunk on the ground. This will give the tree a good start.

After the tree is established you will use a different ratio for fertilizing. We recommend palm fertilizer that uses slow release pellets that contain 12 to 13 percent nitrogen, 3 to 4 percent potassium, 12 to 13 percent phosphorus plus trace elements. Use 8 ounces of the fertilizer per inch of trunk. Spread the palm fertilizer around the base of tree. If you want you can till the fertilizer in or just punch some holes in the ground around the tree.
Here are a few do's and dont's.

DO

- Phoenix Reclinata Palms do not require anything special that other palms do not require. Simply follow the instructions on the bag. Don't just cut open a bag and start pouring. You paid way to much for your tree to kill it the first season. Over fertilizing can kill young newly established trees.

- Also only put fertilizer on moist soil and after applying make sure to water it in.

- You should consider buying a slow release fertilizer. It will cost a little more but will give more even results and is easier on the tree. Plus it will be less work on you since it continues to work long after it is put down. Also, use a fertilizer with supplemental magnesium and calcium.

- Spread the fertilizer evenly all the way around the trunk of the tree and work it into the soil.

DO NOT

- Don't pour fertilizer directly on the crowns or trunks of your phoenix reclinatas. Distribute it around the tree in the soil only. Also, don't just make a big pile.

- Don't fertilize bone dry soil.

- Don't over fertilize. Better to use too little than too much.

Other Palm Tree Articles

When to Fertilize Palm Trees -Caring for Palm Trees

Fertilizing your Phoenix Reclinata Palm Trees -Caring for Palm Trees

Fertilizing your Sabal Palm Trees -Caring for Palm Trees

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