Garden Q&A: Amount, not presence, of Spanish moss is the real issue

Garden Q&A: Amount, not presence, of Spanish moss is the real issue
My friend says Spanish moss is a parasite and should be removed from shrubs and trees. I say leave it alone. What do you say?
Many people mistakenly think that Spanish moss is a parasite and should be removed from landscape plants, but you are correct, it is not a parasite as it does not obtain its nutrition from trees or other plants.
Spanish moss, Tillandsea usneoides, also called Florida moss, long moss and graybeard is not a true moss. It is an epiphyte, a type of air plant that makes its own food by catching moisture and nutrients from the air.
There is a caveat here. Too much moss can cause problems for shrubs and trees. If plants become overloaded with moss, the photosynthesis process of the leaves is reduced. This can affect the long term health of plants. Also, excessive moss can weigh down and break branches.
If you are concerned that any of your shrubs or trees has an excessive amount of moss, you can start by removing the reachable pieces.
If you are concerned about the presence of moss in large trees, you might want to consult with a certified arborist to see if further action is warranted.
My Valencia orange tree is loaded with fruit. When is the best time to pick the oranges for juicing?
Valencias are a late season fruit, meaning their harvest time comes at a later date than much of the citrus that we grow here in Northeast Florida. Because of their late maturity, which can subject the fruit to potential freeze damage, we generally don't recommend planting them here. Fortunately for you, it looks like you have found a micro-climate where you are successfully growing Valencias.
According to the publication "Citrus Culture in the Home Landscape," they can be harvested from March to June. In the southern part of the state, the harvest period is longer.
Valencias tend to turn golden when they ripen. Ripened fruit should be firm and heavy for their size. Your best barometer for ripeness is to cut into a couple of them and see if they are suitable to your taste. If not, wait another few days and try again.
There is no need to harvest your fruit all at one time. Citrus does not ripen further once picked. With Valencias, you will probably find that the longer they stay on the tree, the sweeter they become. But, avoid leaving them on too long, as they can become dry and pithy.
My Canary Island date palm has some fronds that are yellowing. What could be the problem?
Based on your description of the symptoms, it sounds like your palm might be suffering from a magnesium deficiency. As you have noticed, the leaves have turned yellow or orange around the outer edges of the older fronds, while the center of the fronds are still green.
This condition can also be a result of high levels of nitrogen, calcium or potassium. While any palm can be subject to these conditions, Canary Island date palms seem to be most susceptible to showing the tell-tale signs. Unfortunately, the fronds that have yellowed will not recover, and you eventually might want to prune them off but not before the deficiency problem is corrected.
Prevention is the key here. It would be helpful if you tested the soil pH in the area of the palm. If the pH is low, a dose of lime that contains magnesium will help raise it plus provide the deficient nutrient.
Also, look for a fertilizer specifically formulated for palms that contains magnesium in a controlled release form.
By following a proper palm fertilizing program, you should be able to prevent future occurrences of this condition.
Paula Lamb is a master gardener with the Duval County Extension Service and the University of Florida/IFAS.