Fertilizers should be broadcast or banded under the canopy of the palm, but should not be placed up against the trunk where newly emerging roots may be injured. Fertilizers should be applied 4 times per year for maximum growth, but on the more fertile marl and muck soils, fewer applications may be adequate. If granular fertilizers will be used in conjunction with drip systems, the fertilizer should be banded directly below the drip emitters . Fertility varies greatly among soil types in south Florida, but certain nutrient elements are consistently lacking in all soil types and must be applied through fertilization. Water soluble N, K, and Mg sources can be used, but they must be applied much more frequently to compensate for the rapid leaching of these elements through the soil.
Foliar fertilization is a fairly common practice in palm production.
Foliar fertilization is best used as a supplement for a normal soil fertilization program, particularly for micronutrients, and can be performed in conjunction with regular fungicide applications. Liquid fertilization programs are not the most efficient delivery system for field nurseries, especially when overhead irrigation is used. The soluble nature of liquid fertilizer results in leaching or runoff of a great deal of the nutrients before uptake by the roots. To compensate, the grower often increases either rates or frequency of application, which results in waste and the potential for ground or surface water contamination. If drip irrigation is used in the field, injection of liquid fertilizer through the system may be cost-effective, and the problems inherent in overhead delivery may be minimized.