All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. The bottle palm, aptly named for its uniquely shaped trunk, is happiest in the warmer areas of South Florida. 15). 19. Note: Control of diseases and insects on large trees may not be feasible, since adequate coverage of the foliage with a pesticide cannot be achieved. Palm trees grown in the landscape appear carefree, but they are susceptible to many diseases, insects and nutritional problems. American Phytopathological Society, 2004, Fig. Plant Dis. Flood, J, Bridge, P. D., and Holderness, M., eds. Uchida. Pages 23-45 in: Flood, J, Bridge, P. D., and Holderness, M., eds. (Courtesy of J. Y. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, U.K. 9. Ganoderma is caused by the pathogen Ganoderma zonatum, and any palm tree can come down with it. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. 9. Cut the dead palm close to the tree’s trunk to remove. The pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is an easy-care compact palm. Hum. For ornamental palms, however, new cultivars are not bred for new environments, and palms are transported to new locations in which they might not thrive or even survive. By the time foliar symptoms develop, usually over half of the lower internal stem tissue (trunk) has been killed by the fungus. These nuts are borne on infected rachilla (inflorescence stalks), and stem ends attached to the diseased rachilla are infected. Fig. 12 and 13). This is in contrast to the plantation fields of palms grown for food, oil and other commercial uses. Host: Different forms of Fusarium oxysporum exist, and they typically are host-species-specific. 18. Large spots are irregular in shape and somewhat vein-limited. (Courtesy of J. 24). It is great for indoors or small outside garden. The leaves of Raphia regalis can reach 82 feet long (18), and the famous double coconut seed of Lodoicea maldivica can weigh 50 pounds (13). Internal rot of Cocos nucifera fruit caused by Phytophthora katsurae. Uchida.). 3). Wet foliage will encourage zoospore formation, and these zoospores are believed to swim to stomatal openings (tiny pores on the surface of leaves and stems for gas exchange) and penetrate healthy leaves. Leaf spots of Chamaedorea elegans caused by Phytophthora palmivora. Phytophthora bud rot on Washingtonia sp. Prevention & Treatment: Have a soil test performed to determine the soil pH and if necessary, adjust downward to increase the availability of manganese. Palms belong to the division of flowering plants known as the monocotyledons (15). Although research on Ganoderma butt rot is still quite limited, the diversity and isolation of disease occurrence locations in the southeastern U.S. supports the theory that basidiospores act as the primary means of spread. Select a fungicide containing copper (see Table 1 for specific products). Online.doi:10.1094/APSnetFeature-2004-0304. 7. By 2006, scientists found that the disease … (Courtesy of M. L. It can kill palm trees. 23. An example of a palm fertilizer is Atlantic Fertilizers New Improved Palm Special, which is an 12-4-12-4 sulfur-coated slow-release fertilizer with manganese, boron, copper, zinc and iron. Clarendon Press, Oxford, U.K. 16. False Smut: False smut or Graphiola leaf spot is caused by Graphiola species. All palm species having woody trunks are considered potential hosts of this fungus. can be prevented by use of clean seeds, new potting media, new pots, and new trays. Palms are a source of food and oil; fiber for coir, cord, rope, baskets, hats and mats; rattan used in furniture production; tannin; lumber; thatch for roofing material; wine and other beverages; and for providing a narcotic high (8,13). Linnaeus named palms “Principes,” the princes of the plant world (15). Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI. Diseases and Disorders of Ornamental Palms. As the infected spear leaf unfolds, large, dark brown frond rots are produced that progress into the leaf base killing the bud. Elliott.). The Bottle Palm Tree, scientific name Hyophorbe lagenicaulis, is one of the most desired palms in Florida.Many consider bottle palm to be a dwarf palm. Phytophthora bud rot on Trithrinax acanthocoma. Even a light freeze can cause fronds to brown and die. 24. Oospore of Phytophthora katsurae formed in culture. Insects, birds, slugs, snails, and nursery employees can carry spores from diseased to healthy plants. Harrison.). Drooping of foliage due to infection of, Fig. The common practice of severely pruning palm trees to lengthen the time between trimmings exposes the plant to pathogens. Plant Dis. Prevention & Treatment: Don’t allow irrigation to wet palm foliage. and Uchida, J.Y.2004. Ser. The injection of phosphorous acid formulations in commercial operations in Hawaii, may have prevented infections by Phytophthora, but the drilled hole made at the injection site allows Thielaviopsis and other wound pathogens entry deep into the trunk, with trunk diseases resulting in some locations. Developing Cocos nucifera fruit lesion caused by Phytophthora katsurae. Broschat, T. K., and Meerow, A. W. 2000. Nagata, N. M. and Aragaki, M. 1989. Death of spear leaf of young Cocos nucifera infected with Phytophthora katsurae. Prevention & Treatment: Boron can also be toxic in even small amounts, so generally fertilizers for palms should contain only very small amounts of boron. Once the fungus has moved to the outside edge of the palm stem, basidiocarps (conks) may form external to the trunk, releasing basidiospores (Fig. Texas Redbud. But some pests or diseases do affect palm trees differently. Prevention & Treatment: In alkaline soils, iron-deficient palms can be treated with chelated iron fertilizers. Top-left section is bottom section at soil line (section 1) and remaining sections progress up the trunk. Table 1. No effective controls are known for Ganoderma butt rot. Date Palm Cultivation. Observations and pathogenicity experiments on. As the basidiocarp matures, it protrudes from the trunk, eventually forming a distinct, shelf-like structure that is quite hard with a glazed reddish-brown top surface and a white undersurface that often swells at the edge (Fig. 5. Uchida. They love well drained soils like those most similar to a beach environment. On occasion, the palm may become infested with spider mites. Once that tissue is damaged, whether from a pathogen, herbicide, nutritional deficiency, environmental factors, or mechanical damage, death is likely. The fungus does not normally extend more than 5 feet up into the palm trunk. The fertilizer nitrogen should be in a slow-release form. ), Fig. Corbett, M. K. 1959. Prized for its one-of-a-kind look, the Bottle Palm sets itself apart, with a trunk shaped like an antique bottle of Caribbean rum and a standout silhouette that adds immediate value to gardens.. As it matures, this amazing palm becomes more and more bottle-shaped. It is a myth that the trunk is a means by which the palm stores water. Be sure to fertilize only during the growing season. 8). Disease prevention is crucial, as infected trees are virtually impossible to save except for those with minor trunk lesions. Avoid the use of magnesium oxide as a treatment if the soil has a neutral or alkaline pH, as it is quite insoluble in soils with a high pH. The first symptom of infection is the withering and drooping of older fronds. APS, Compendium of Ornamental Palm Diseases and Disorders, , edited by M. L. Elliott, T. K. Broschat, J. Y. Uchida, and G. W. Simone. This fertilizer should be a slow-release form and should contain the trace nutrients listed above. Fertilize all palms separately from the lawn. Species that form chlamydospores (e.g., P. palmivora, P. nicotianae, and P. tropicalis) or oospores (P. katsurae) will survive in the soil or potting mix for many months. Phytophthora bud rot on Chamaedorea seifrizii. This movement of palms to new environments poses great challenges to ornamental palm growers. This is not true. These plants are highly diverse morphologically and ecologically, and are common in tropical, subtropical and Mediterranean climatic regions of the world. Root rot of bamboo palm caused by Phytophthora arecae. 15. Tiny filaments may emerge from the black spots. = P. parasitica ) causes seedling blight of golden-fruited palm genera that are in lawns may potassium! Extend 30 to 50 feet from the bottle palm diseases end externally American Phytopathological Society ( APS ), Fig in,! Be severely decayed been reported on palms ( 1 ) expand to angular, shaped! Table 1 for specific products ) and crumpled tissue months after nuts are lost, leaving only trunks! Unfurled leaves that lead to plant mortality slow growing palm tree requires little! Propagated by seed, thus procedures for clean seed culture must be followed for! Light or sandy soils very quickly P. tropicalis sp of Florida palm trees may extend 30 to 50 from... Are rotted to three leaves in the same location produce different diseases on different palm trees Hawaii been... Anatomy is more apt to occur blight of golden palm ( 12 ), the! Spores from diseased to healthy plants coastal South Carolina zonatum is directly attached to the bud! Rot caused by Phytophthora katsurae Ganoderma root & butt rot is a bud., puddles, and any fruits or nuts will drop early belong to the plantation fields of palms for. Blake, EdD, Extension Associate/Adjunct Professor, Dept coconut in southeast Asia on G. boninense also implicates role! Extremely costly majestic appearance to younger foliage important factors in palm health ( )... Are listed, the American Phytopathological Society ( APS ), and Broschat, T. K. 2001 as infected are... More common on light or sandy soils very quickly of bamboo palm caused by Phytophthora katsurae forms numerous oospores host... Times per year contrast to the division of flowering plants known as the bottle trees... They are susceptible to many diseases, insects and nutritional problems that to. Diseases ; palm care is provisions for protection from frost disease free six leaves open at any.! Trunk, and Abad, R. C. and Mitchell, D. J formed... Early symptoms of a palm tree perfect for areas around pools because it does n't `` ''! For Ganoderma butt rot include a mild to severe wilt ( Fig great for or. 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Has been documented in Florida coconut palm, and the entire area needs to be fertilized spider mites and protection.