When palms have bad hair days

When can a palm have a “bad hair day?”  Palms can have bad hair days when they have a manganese deficiency.  The newest fronds develop what is called “Frizzletop “ and really stick out like a sore thumb!  Learn how this deficiency develops and how to prevent it.

Manganese is considered a micronutrient and as such is needed in relatively small amounts.  However, when things like soil pH are too high (our soils are often alkaline) it may be difficult for palms to pick up certain nutrients such as manganese and a deficiency results on the newest fronds.  Palms in soil with poor drainage and/or cool temperatures may also show Mn-deficiencies.   Palms may not have been properly fertilized (or fertilized at all) and this of course can lead to a deficiency.  Even oddball things like applying composted sewage sludge and manure products can actually artificially induce a manganese deficiency.  Whatever triggers the problem, those palm fronds will forever be marked by yellowish, dead streaks.  New leaflets appear dead and withered giving the leaf a frizzled appearance.  Most of the damage is noticeable at the base of the leaf, but is less severe towards the tip .  In severely deficient palms, death can eventually occur.

While most palms can develop manganese deficiency, the Queen, Royal and Pygmy date are particularly sensitive.

The best recommendation is to use proper palm fertilizers which already contain manganese such as is found in an 8-2-12-4 applied in November, February and May as per label direction, and then  followed in August with a 0-0-16-6, again, as per label directions. 

If a palm is diagnosed with a severe deficiency, soil applications of dry manganese sulfate can be made over the soil under the palm canopy. The rate applied can  range from eight ounces for a small palm up to five to eight pounds for a large palm, depending on the severity of the deficiency condition and soil pH – read the package label for directions as well.    Applications may need to be repeated every two to three months if the problem persists.   It may take up to six months to see a change on the new fronds –  remember, the old deficient fronds will remain the same. 

“Frizzletop” is not only unattractive, but can also slowly lead to the decline and/or death of a susceptible palm.  Feeding your palm correctly will pay off with years of healthy, attractive palms accenting your glorious landscape!   For more information on all type of palm tips,  please call our Master Gardener volunteers on the Plant Lifeline on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer.  Don't forget to visit our other County Plant Clinics in the area.  Please check this link for a complete list of site locations, dates and times - http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu/horticulture/Plant%20Clinics%20Schedule.pdf.

Resource:

Broschat T. K. (2014) Manganese Deficiency in Palms.  The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.