Question
QUESTION: I read your response from 2/19/07 regrading black spots on the leaves of yellow tabebuia trees. I too have the same problem with mine and will take your advice. My question is also about my two tabebuia trees and may or may not have anything to do with the fungi problem. My tabebuias do not loose all their leaves and do not bloom fully. I have yellow flowers AND green leaves at the same time.  Actually the trees do not ever loose all their leaves and do not completely bloom. Does that have to do with the fungi or bacteria or is this a separate issue? Either way, is there something I can do to promote all leaf drop and a completely yellow blooming beautiful tree. I leave in Central Florida, zone 9..the trees a about 3 years old.
ANSWER: This tree is best suited for the 10-11 zone so I think the leaf drop, not releasing all the leaves is it being just out of the natural range (zone). I would recommend that the tree be fertilized three times a year with 12-6-8 fertilizer now and in June and Sept. You can use either a liquid or a granular with slow release.  Apply 3 to 5 lb of 12-6-8 (or similar analysis fertilizer) for each inch of trunk diameter measured at 4 1/2 ft above ground. For example, a 2-inch diameter tree required 6 to 10 lb of 12-6-8 fertilizer. Diameters can be found by the following formula: Diameter = circumference x .318



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QUESTION: I thought I might have on my hands 2 tempermental tabebuias.  I've noticed many in our area that don't seem to have that problem, wonder why that is????Thanks for your response...and I'll give both fertilizer this weekend and again in June and Sept.

Answer
The zones are general based on weather climate and moisture. It could be the ones that are not having the problem are located in a moist area and have what is called a micro-climate similar to the zone 10-11 areas. Or the genetics of the tree you have is different from the genetics of the other trees. The fertilizer should help.