Epsom Salt for Majesty Palm Trees

Epsom Salts

• Epsom salts is the name for a naturally occurring mineral distilled from water. The mineral is magnesium sulfate and is basically a chemical compound containing sulfur, oxygen and magnesium. The compound is named after the town, Epsom, in England where the compound was first discovered. Epsom salts are used as fertilizer to fix magnesium deficiency in palms and other plants.

Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms

• The deficiency of magnesium is a common occurrence in all palm trees, including majesty palm trees. Symptoms of the deficiency include bright yellow color of foliage ends. The fronds develop yellow bands around the outer perimeter with the midrib and sections around the midrib remaining green. The fronds on the lower portion of the trees brown and dry prematurely.

Epsom Salt Application

• To remedy magnesium deficiency in majesty palms, apply 2 to 4 lbs. of Epsom salts or magnesium sulfate to soil around tree trunk. Also apply an equal amount of potassium sulfate around tree. It is important to apply equal amounts of magnesium and potassium to the tree since an excessive amount of either can create a deficiency of the other mineral. It is therefore important to apply both minerals in equal quantity and together, as suggested by the University of Florida Extension.

Susceptibility

• Magnesium deficiency is frequently seen on majesty and other palms that are growing in the southwestern regions of the United States. Among palm trees, date palms, Phoenix spp., are the most likely to suffer from this deficiency. Even after the application of Epsom salts, the yellowing leaves do not regain their color. Let the yellowing leaves turn brown before removing them from tree.