Lawn and Garden Plants: Nutrient Deficiencies

Timothy K. Broschat

Palms growing in containers are susceptible to the same deficiencies that landscape palms experience, but the relative importance of the various deficiencies as well as their causes are different. Container substrates are generally more acidic and have greater nutrient-holding capacity than Florida native soils. Thus leaching and insolubility of nutrients are much less of a problem. Also, container-grown palms are often fertilized with more complete controlled-release fertilizers or regular liquid fertilization, which prevents most deficiencies from occurring.

Timothy K. Broschat

Although about 16 elements are required for normal plant growth, only a few of these elements are commonly deficient in Florida landscape plants. The purpose of this document is to describe and illustrate typical symptoms for common nutrient deficiencies in trees and shrubs grown in south Florida landscapes.

Timothy K. Broschat

This document describes the most common nutrient deficiencies of palms in Florida landscapes or field nurseries.

Stephen H. Futch and David P. H. Tucker

Timothy K. Broschat

Palms growing in Florida landscapes or field nurseries are subject to a number of potentially serious nutrient deficiencies. These deficiencies are described and illustrated in document ENH1018. Prevention and treatment of these deficiencies is the subject of this document. Chemical symbols used in this document are as follows: N=nitrogen, P=phosphorus, K=potassium, Mg=magnesium, Ca=calcium, Mn=manganese, Fe=iron, B=boron, Cu=copper, Zn=zinc.