Page 25 - Intra Muros October 2021

GARDENING

Washingtonia palms healthy green colour. This will spread quickly to
the other side and other leaves, and cause the
palm to die within a few months.
Ganoderma butt rot: Visible signs will be
conks (shelf fungi) growing at the base of the
palm. When damage becomes visible, the
palm is already dying.
Pests
Sucking insects: Mealy bugs, whitefly or
palm aphids can be the problem when ants
are seen running up and down the trunk.
These infestations are treated with suitable
insecticides and are seldom fatal.
Palm weevil: This large beetle has a snout
which the female uses to penetrate the palm
tissue to create access wounds in which eggs
PALM MAINTENANCE are deposited. The larvae can eventually
kill the palm by feeding on growing tissue
in the crown or trunk. Early treatment
By Elize Malan with insecticides is effective but symptoms
become visible at a late stage. Signs are eaten
Due to numerous queries on the subject, I am repeating a previous leaves, holes anywhere on the trunk, detritus
article on growing healthy palm trees. produced by the larvae and an unpleasant
odour of rotting vegetation.

ilver Lakes Golf Estate has a picturesque palm root zone, as this can cause root rot. Palms are hardy disease resistant plants and
silhouette created by Washingtonia and Both are fatal to a palm tree. a Washingtonia palm can grow for more than
SCocos palms at both entrances. Mature • Careful selection of groundcovers in the a hundred years. Diligent maintenance and
palms become stressed without proper care palm tree root zone: Plants should have care are what they deserve.
and this makes them susceptible to pests and the same fertiliser and water requirements
diseases. as the palm tree. Trimming lawn edges Tel: 012 804 1807
growing under a palm tree should be done Fax: 012 804 0278
Basic care of palms: with great care and without damage to Web: www.garden-group.co.za
• Do not over trim any palm: Palm trees take the trunk. E-mail: admin@garden-group.co.za
nutrients from the lower fronds and utilise
these in new growth. Fungal diseases
By removing the green lower fronds Fusarium wilt: Visible signs start when one
(leaves), the palm will take nutrients from leaf (frond) has discoloured leaflets, only on
the few remaining leaves, weakening the one side. The opposite side of the leaf will be a
plant and causing poor growth. Cut ONLY
dead leaves and do not try to pull these
from the main trunk.
Washingtonia palms have a mass of dry
fronds (dead leaves) around the base of the
green palm top. These fronds are removed
every few years. The “boots” (retained
leave bases) should only be removed if they
are easy to pull off.
Inflorescences can be removed when
pruning dead leaves. This will prevent
loss of nutrients, seed forming and
unwanted seedlings.
• Sterilise pruning equipment: Fungal
diseases are transmitted from one palm
to another when using dirty pruning
equipment.
• Correct watering: Sprinkler heads directly
facing palm trunks can cause trunk rot and
no irrigation nozzle should be close to a Palm tree cutting Cocos palms

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