Caring for Palms - When and how to Fertilize Sable / Sabal Palm Trees


The Sabal Palm is one of the most popular palm trees. It is also very hearty and if properly cared for after planting will have a long healthy life. People like the Sabal for its look and affordable price. If your Sabal palms are the correct species for you temperature zone, then once established they will need very little maintenance. Their size and full crowns add beauty and elegance to any landscape. To grow beautiful, healthy sabal palms you need to follow a few basic steps. Water, prune and fertilize.

This article will deal with fertilizing sabal palms. The issue of fertilizing palms can be as simple as you want it to be. 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 Sabal 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 first fertilization after the tree is planted mix in the fertilizer at the time of planting to richen the soil taken from the hole. Mix two ounces of palm fertilizer per one inch of trunk diameter. If you wish, 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 your Sabal Palm a good start.

After the Sabal 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. (this is a guideline and is not intended to replace the instructions on the bag) If you wish you can till in the fertilizer in or just make some small holes in the ground around the tree. The safest method is to leave the fertilizer on the ground around the tree and let it enter the soil slowly.
Here are a few do's and dont's.

DO

- Sabal Palms do not require anything special that other palms do not require. Simply follow the instructions on the bag. Do not just cut open a bag and start applying. Your trees are too expensive to risk killing them the first season. Carelessness can lead to over fertilizing which 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 around the trunk of the tree out to about 2-3 feet and work it into the soil. You can leave it on top if you wish.

DO NOT

- Don't pour fertilizer directly on the top or into the trunks of your Sabal palm. Distribute it around the tree in the soil only. Also, don't just make a single pile.

- Don't fertilize bone dry soil.

- Don't use too much fertilize. It is 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

Privacy Policy - Third Party Advertising

Google, one of our third-party advertisers, may add a cookie to determine targeted advertisements based on your preferences and your visit to our site and other sites on the internet. You can choose to opt out of Google’s use of cookies by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy.