How soon should I fertilize my Palm Trees?

[ThePalmNovice]

I was out shopping today when I found a bag of sunniland palm fertilizer 6-1-8 on sale for $5 at Lowes. Assuming the price will go up as spring approaches I scooped it up and brought it home with me. The question I have is how soon should I use it. I've heard mixed opinions on using fertilizers in the winter before with some saying it's bad, and some saying it's beneficial. To further elaborate on my situation I'm in a solid Zone 9B. All my palms are somewhat new and have been in the ground for 3-6 months.

I have 1 Bottle Palm, 1 Queen, 3 Adonidia, and 3 Chamaedorea Cataractarum. None have ever been fertilized before. The question is how soon should I fertilize them? Should I do it ASAP even if the weather is a bit colder than usual? Should I wait for it to warm up to a certain temperature and then fertilize? Or is fertilizing under any conditions in January a bad idea? If so what is the soonest date I can get started?

Edited January 8, 2017 by ThePalmNovice

[kinzyjr]

24 minutes ago, ThePalmNovice said:

I was out shopping today when I found a bag of sunniland palm fertilizer 6-1-8 on sale for $5 at Lowes. Assuming the price will go up as spring approaches I scooped it up and brought it home with me. The question I have is how soon should I use it. I've heard mixed opinions on using fertilizers in the winter before with some saying it's bad, and some saying it's beneficial. To further elaborate on my situation I'm in a solid Zone 9B. All my palms are somewhat new and have been in the ground for 3-6 months.

I have 1 Bottle Palm, 1 Queen, 3 Adonidia, and 3 Chamaedorea Cataractarum. None have ever been fertilized before. The question is how soon should I fertilize them? Should I do it ASAP even if the weather is a bit colder than usual? Should I wait for it to warm up to a certain temperature and then fertilize? Or is fertilizing under any conditions in January a bad idea? If so what is the soonest date I can get started?

Usually, it is best to wait until the threat of a freeze is gone and your plants have had ~1 year to establish.  I would say wait until Mid-March or April at the earliest for the ones that have been in the ground for 6 months.  You might be able to sneak some in for the newer palms around August/September if you do a second round.

[Hammer]

I agree. Fertilizer will encourage tender new leaf growth.  Even in favorable weather, it is ideal to let the roots establish in newly planted palms.  This is especially true in cold weather. 

Healthy and robust roots systems will yield stronger and more vigorous palms.

[Palm Tree Jim]

11 hours ago, Hammer said:

I agree. Fertilizer will encourage tender new leaf growth.  Even in favorable weather, it is ideal to let the roots establish in newly planted palms.  This is especially true in cold weather. 

Healthy and robust roots systems will yield stronger and more vigorous palms.

What he said ^

[ThePalmNovice]

Thank you for the info everyone. I guess I'll be waiting until early spring to get started. The plants seem to be happy anyway, the queen and the cat palms growing like weeds over the past month or so. 

[PalmatierMeg]

How many lbs in the bag? For $5 it sounds rather small. If your palms are of any size you may need more come spring. Also check ingredients listing to make sure you got lots of micronutrients.

[PalmTreeDude]

If you are trying to zone push any palms, don't use chemical fertilizers, it makes them a little less hardy.