Mica F. McMillan

0000-0002-8795-0935

Pseudophoenix sargentii: Buccaneer Palm

Mica McMillan and Kara McCoy

This publication is intended for anyone interested in identifying and utilizing this Florida native palm in their landscape. Pseudophoenix sargentii is native to the Caribbean, Belize, Mexico (Quintiana Roo), and Navassa Island. This palm is widely adapted to south Florida soils, is salt tolerant, and grows well in full sunlight. As an attractive palm with blue-gray fronds and an erect trunk, this palm would make a beautiful addition to any landscape, but its slow growth and lack of cold tolerance have prevented it from being widely utilized in Florida landscapes.

Rain Barrel Water Quality in South Florida

Kimberly Moore, Mica McMillan, and Lorna Bravo

Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water, save money, and contribute to a sustainable landscape. However, adoption of rain barrels is low with homeowners concerned about water quality especially from different roof types. Our analysis of nutrients showed that there was no difference in nutrient levels based on roof type. All water samples had low levels of nutrients and no detectable pathogens. Based on our analysis, the water collected from these rain barrels would be safe to use for non-potable uses in the landscape and garden.

Fertilization and Irrigation Needs for Florida Lawns and Landscapes

R. Klein, A.J. Lindsey, M. McMillan, J. B. Unruh, and M.D. Dukes

Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Best Management Practices (BMPs) for management of commercial and residential lawns and landscapes were developed by scientists with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). These BMPs assist homeowners and professionals in making management choices that will help sustain lawns and landscapes in Florida without impairing Florida’s water resources.

Serenoa repens: Saw Palmetto

Vânia Pereira, Mica McMillan, Wagner Vendrame, and Kara McCoy

This publication is intended for anyone interested in identifying and utilizing this Florida native palm in their landscape. Serenoa repens is native to the Southeastern United States and found mostly in Florida coastal woodland coastal locations. Most often referred to as saw palmetto, this slow-growing, small palm only reaches 3–6 feet in height. Its waxy leaves vary in color. The stiff leaves are folded slightly and divided deeply into several dozen segments that split at the tip. Saw palmetto is essentially trunkless and will have 12–30 leaves in total. It has white flowers that bear blue-black fruit. This small palm forms as a ground cover in pinelands along the Southern Coastal Plain. The plants are best established from containers and can be difficult to transplant from the field. Known for its medicinal benefits, the fruits of the saw palmetto are sold in health food stores across the United States and harvested by pharmaceutical companies for medicinal purposes.

Phoenix canariensis: Canary Island Date Palm

T. K. Broschat

Palm Morphology and Anatomy

T. K. Broschat

Palms differ greatly from broadleaf (dicot) and coniferous (Gymnosperm) trees in their overall form and external structure (morphology) and in their internal structure (anatomy). Morphology and anatomy determine how palms grow, function, and respond to external and internal stress factors. This publication provides a basic understanding of how palms are constructed.

Nutrition and Fertilization of Palms in Containers

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.

Field Production of Palms

Timothy K. Broschat, Alan W. Meerow, and Jack Miller

Field production is the most practical means of producing large palm specimens, and it has several advantages over container production. Yield per acre can be maximized compared to many other woody ornamentals because of the columnar growth habit of most palms and their ability to survive transplanting with a minimal root ball. When dug and tied properly, many more palms can be loaded into a standard shipping container than could similarly sized trees. Palms also offer great versatility in the method of field harvesting.

How to Minimize Wind Damage in the South Florida Landscape

Timothy K. Broschat and Derek Burch

Windstorms are always a matter of concern, but trees that have been selected properly, sited with care, and maintained so as to have a sturdy form and an open canopy stand the best chance of surviving intact and not adding to the damage in the area. It is worth learning how to prune and shape trees in order to minimize the risks of damage.

Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms of Woody Ornamental Plants in South Florida

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.

Nitrogen Deficiency in Palms

Timothy K. Broschat

This document is ENH1016, one of a series of the Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension.

Manganese Deficiency in Palms

Timothy K. Broschat

This document is ENH1015, one of a series of the Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension.

Normal "Abnormalities" in Palms

Timothy K. Broschat and Monica L. Elliott

Pruning Palms

Timothy K. Broschat

Perhaps the most fundamental question to answer when discussing palm pruning is what should a healthy, properly pruned palm look like? Consumers must be educated that palms are supposed to have round crowns, not feather-duster crowns.

Native Trees for South Florida

A. W. Meerow, T. K. Broschat, and H. M. Donselman

In recent years, the subject of native plants has taken on new significance in Florida horticulture. Many counties are considering landscape ordinances that require that a percentage of native plant materials be used in all future developments. Several have already implemented such ordinances. This will result in a need for wider availability of native plant materials. Woody landscape plant producers, landscape architects, and home gardeners in Florida need to become informed about and prepared for the production and cultural needs of native plants.

Palm Problems: Field and Laboratory Diagnosis

Monica L. Elliott and Timothy K. Broschat

PP-246, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Monica L. Elliott and Timothy K. Broschat, includes tips to determine when laboratory diagnostics may be useful and how to interpret and/or integrate field and laboratory diagnoses. Includes references.

Magnesium Deficiency in Palms

Timothy K. Broschat

This document is ENH 1014, one of a series of the Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension.

Rhapis excelsa: Lady Palm

Timothy K. Broschat

Boron Deficiency in Palms

Timothy K. Broschat

Chronic boron deficiency is believed to be caused by soil drying and high soil pH, while temporary deficiency is caused by heavy leaching. It results in a wide array of symptoms, not only among species of palms, but also within a single species. This revised 5-page fact sheet contains many illustrations to aid in diagnosis and management recommendations.

Nutrient Deficiencies of Landscape and Field-Grown Palms in Florida

Timothy K. Broschat

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

Potassium Deficiency in Palms

Timothy K. Broschat

This document is about symptoms of potassium (K) deficiency among palm species. This disease appears first on the oldest leaves. Older leaflets of some palms such as Dictyosperma album (hurricane palm) are mottled with yellowish spots that are translucent when viewed from below. In other palms such as Dypsis cabadae (cabada palm), Howea spp. (kentia palms) and Roystonea spp. (royal palms), symptoms appear on older leaves as marginal or tip necrosis with little or no yellowish spotting present (Figures 2 and 3). The leaflets in Roystonea, Dypsis, and other pinnate-leaved species showing marginal or tip necrosis often appear withered and frizzled.

Roystonea regia: Royal Palm

T. K. Broschat

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Plant Systems

Container Production of Palms

Alan W. Meerow and Timothy K. Broschat

This document summarizes all the good practices for growing palms in containers. Container-grown palms are raised for essentially three markets: liners for field production wholesale or mass market retail sales for landscapes, and interior specimens, both mass market houseplants and interiorscape use. The largest market for container grown palms is the interior. Palms are outstanding plants for the interior environment. When properly acclimated, a large number of subtropical and tropical palm species are capable of residing under low light conditions for a relatively long period of time.

Not All Landscape Palm Fertilizers Are Created Equal

Timothy K. Broschat

Palms are widely planted in Florida landscapes. Their bold leaf textures create a tropical or Mediterranean look that is highly desired by residents and tourists alike. But palms have very high nutritional requirements, and deficiencies of any element can result in conspicuous and unattractive symptoms on their large leaves. UF/IFAS research shows that the most effective fertilizer has 100% of the N, K, Mg, and B sources in slow-release or controlled-release form and that all of the Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu sources should be water soluble. This 4-page fact sheet explains the reasons for this recommendation and how to ensure that you have a formulation that will be effective.

Syagrus romanzoffiana: Queen Palm

Timothy K. Broschat, Ryan W. Klein, and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Urban Water

Washingtonia robusta: Mexican Fan Palm

Timothy K. Broschat, Ryan W. Klein and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Urban Water

Palm Seed Germination

Alan W. Meerow and Timothy K. Broschat

The purpose of this publication is to outline and discuss the various aspects of handling and germinating palm seeds in the most cost-effective and reliable manner possible.

Sabal palmetto: Sabal or Cabbage Palm

T. K. Broschat

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Urban Water

Ornamental Palms for Central Florida

Timothy K. Broschat and James E. Davis

Palms are often thought of as symbols of the tropics, but fortunately there are a number of palm species that grow in warm, temperate climates, such as that of Central Florida.

Transplanting Palms in the Landscape

Timothy K. Broschat

Circular 1047 discusses the various factors that contribute to palm transplant survival rate.

Physiological Disorders of Landscape Palms

Timothy K. Broschat

Physiological disorders are those caused by various environmental factors, rather than biological agents.

Enviroscaping to Conserve Energy: Trees for South Florida

Timothy K. Broschat, Alan W. Meerow, and Robert J. Black

Landscape plants can improve the appearance of our surroundings and modify the extremes of local climate (microclimate modification). Plants provide shade, insulate the home from heat loss or gain, and cool the air that surrounds their leaves through transpiration (release of water from plant pores). Trees are the main types of landscape plants used around the home for passive energy conservation. They provide shade, influence air movement around the house and, once established, require little maintenance. The energy-conserving impact of a particular tree species depends on 1) whether it keeps its leaves during the winter and 2) the shape of a tree and density of its foliage. This document is about choosing the right species of trees to plant in Florida, the sites to plant them, and how to properly maintain them.

Phoenix roebelenii: Pygmy Date Palm

Timothy K. Broschat, Ryan W. Klein, and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Plant Systems

Butia odorata: Pindo Palm

Timothy K. Broschat, Ryan W. Klein, and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Plant Systems

Hurricane-Damaged Palms in the Landscape: Care after the Storm

Monica L. Elliott and Timothy Broschat

While many palm species are adapted to windstorms, a hurricane can damage even the most tolerant palms. This 3-page fact sheet provides suggestions about what to do after a windstorm has occurred once it is safe to venture outside to care for the landscape.

Bismarckia nobilis: Bismarck Palm

Timothy K. Broschat

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Urban Water

Cold Damage on Palms

Timothy K. Broschat

ENH-92 describes how cold temperatures affect palms and how to treat them following a cold weather event.

Adonidia merrillii: Christmas Palm

Timothy K. Broschat

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Plant Systems

Acoelorrhaphe wrightii: Paurotis Palm

Timothy K. Broschat, Ryan W. Klein, and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Plant Systems

Livistona chinensis: Chinese Fan Palm

Timothy K. Broschat, Ryan W. Klein, and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Plant Systems

Fertilization of Field-Grown and Landscape Palms in Florida

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.

Iron Deficiency in Palms

Timothy K. Broschat

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Howea forsteriana: Kentia Palm

Samar Shawaqfeh, Timothy Broschat, Ryan W. Klein, and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Plant Systems

Ornamental Palms for South Florida

Timothy K. Broschat and Robert J. Black

Typically, palms will fare better in windstorms than broadleaf trees, but some are even better adapted than others. Proper palm selection will improve the chances of a palm thriving in a particular location. This document lists a number of species that can be grown in south Florida landscapes. Although many other species have been successfully grown in south Florida, they are relatively rare in the nursery industry and thus are not readily available.