I live in Zone 11 so no problem growing Sago Palms. Unfortunately, a fungus has attacked all the plants on the island (Guam). I thought I was safe but it has eventually reached my garden. I have seen people just cut the fonds off but does anyone else know what I can use to try to kill the fungus. Apparently, this disease was on some plants that were brought infrom Florida. Appreciate the help.
SAGO PALSM - NEED HELP
I have had luck using a baking soda & water spray to rid a few of my plants of a fungus, including a weeping mulberry tree.......I mix a ratio of 2 Tbs. to one quart of water....and repeatedly spray the fungus. It has worked for me..... I live in a humid and hot area of Texas, and have had fungus problems in my garden from time to time, this spray seesm to keep the fungus controlled~ Good Luck!! Debra~
I feel sorry for you. I'm in FL and I lost all mine....1 was 5' and another was a double 5'. They turned spotted, white, brown, and then down. Several months ago I stated this on a form and someone said that there was a cure. Too late for me, of course. I you know how or if it's even possible to search the forms. there is a cure.
Yes, it's OK to blame me a Floridian. LOL
Good Luck
Are you sure it's fungus and not asian scale? Treatment is different.
I had a huge case of asian scale on my one sago here in Florida and was able to treat and save it. It is doing wonderfully now and is pest free so far.
Jan...
1st read this article by Tom Broome
http://cycadjungle.8m.com/cycadjungle/The%20Asian%20Cycad%20Scale.html
If you have more questions try The Cycad Bulletin Board
at
http://members.boardhost.com/cycadjungle/
do not let them die!
Probably scale the article covers that. Tom Broome is the president of the Cycad Society and quite knowledgable in this area.
George in San Antonio
P.S. For all if you have a Sago or any cycad from the Cycas family then read the article. If you don't have the scale in your area yet you will soon.
This message was edited Mar 11, 2005 6:39 AM
Thanks for the informative links George! Very interesting.....definitely a good read~ Debra~
Printed and will read the info on the first link. I've lost one completely. And continue to try and save the 3 that remain. Our county extension office says to get rid of them and to try some of their alterntives/recommendations.
Soozer,
I'm down the road in Pinellas Park and was able to save mine from asian scale. I used a systemic insecticide and volck oil spray every week for about a month. I did trim the fronds off and disposed of them after soaking in a garbage can of insecticide for a week. It looked dead for a long time but finally come spring, it put out a new flush of fronds and so far, it is scale free.
Jan...
There is hope! Thanks for the tip!
Sue
I'm still fighting the scale. I think it's getting better. I cut more fronds off today and sprayed again. I'm beginning to wonder if they are worth all the trouble! I get rid of it and it comes back. The neighbors don't spray. Sagos are dying all over Brownsville and the Island too.
The first step to total recovery would be to dig up the plant and let it soak submerged completely for 1 hour in Orthene liquid. This kills all the scale including the ones that have gone into the roots. Then read and follow Tom Broome's article on how to keep the plant from getting the scale again. If you live in Texas and have the scale and do not want to fool with the plant (or know someone who is given up on their Cycads due to scale) then please contact me and I will try to find a way to get the plant myself or to find someone to rescue it in your area. Please do not let your cycads die. Remember that the scale is only interested in plants from the cycas family of cycads so Dioons and Encephalartos and other cycad plants are ok. Even if scale shows up on them they usualy move on as they are only after the cycas plants.
George in San Antonio
It is important to treat the roots and soil as well by drenching with the systemic insecticide.
Just removing and spraying the plant will not get rid of them.
Jan...
Well, I have one Sago, the trunk is about a foot to 18 inches tall. It will be gone soon. It is in my way, I'm tired of getting scratched when I try to mow around it or trim around it. I dug up several last summer, I offered them to my neighbors, no one wanted them. The ones along the drive and in front of the house have 3 to 4 ft trunks. I don't think I'll be digging them up to dip them in orthene!
Calalily do you guys have cycad scale there? If not then you can treat them to prevent it thus saving the digging up portion of treatment. IF you no longer want the plants I would like a chance to save them I am unsure where Bayview is.
George in San Antonio
You don't have to dig them up! Just mix up a bucket of systemic insecticide and drench around the base of the plant and of course, spray the plant itself.