Licuala grandis/ elegans problem

[Bradford]

Hi everyone,

Some of my Licuala Grandis/Elegans are having shriveled brown leaves. It began with one leaf dehydrating turning brown-whitish discoloration.

Now more leaves are turning that way. They were excellent deep green when I brought home. I am not sure if it's due to the new location or over watering (twice daily since or using HB101 plant vitalizer spray on the leaves (contain: cedars, pines extracts - www.erip101.com)or too much sun or ???

What do you think is the cause?

[RainForestt Robert]

I am not sure of the reason in your case but I have seen this happen to Licuala grandis when placed indoors in air conditioning. They do not respond well to low humidity. You water twice a day, so this may not be the problem.

Robert

[ariscott]

Were the roots grow to the ground before you bought it? Did they have yank it out of the ground and cut the roots?

Regards, Ari

[Walter John]

sun

[Mandrew968]

I kept my 2 grandis inside this last winter and they came out, in spring, looking better than the other ones that stayed outside. Too much sun will cause brown spotting. Too much water will cause the plant to give up on leaves--is the drainage good? I think, probably, either the plant was just planted when you got it, or it was shocked by being pulled from it's place.

[Bradford]

Thanks to all

The pictured palm is actually still in it's original black u/v plastic sleeve at the base. They were perfect when I got them a fortnight ago.

Could spraying cockroach pesticide nearby (about 3 ft away) have done it? No breeze was around when I sprayed.

I have 3 others, same species, placed into the ground a fortnight ago near my fence (out in the open sun) but they do not have the same symptom or dehydrated leaves except for some slightly brownish leaf edges and slight yellowing of some leaves.

All the Licuala Grandis/Elegans were sold with black u/v plastic covering at the base.

Edited April 8, 2011 by Bradford

[dan.vagnoni]

looks fungal to me

[Bradford]

sigh.....

[ariscott]

I think it was growing in the ground and they cut the roots. Some don't mind, some will suffer. I killed one of my licuala... trying to plant it out from pot. The roots grew into the ground. Even though, we tried so hard to be careful, it still died. Is there spear there? If the spear opens, it should be ok.

Regards, Ari

[Gbarce]

Something similar happened with a Licuala orbicularis that I bought. It was balled out ( I didn't know anything about palms back then) and it was particularly disheartening since it was one of my first big palm purchases.

If they are still in their pots/bags I suggest you place them in deep shade (just ambient light ) for about a month or untill they show signs of new growth.

PS- I agree that some of the major roots may have been damaged or even cut. At least these are not as sensetive as the closely related Joey which would most certainly die if their roots are damaged.

[Davidl]

I sprayed wasps under the leafs of a L. grandis a few years ago. They looked very similar to the pictures here a few weeks later.

[Bradford]

This Licuala was in pristine condition (totally green when I got it) and now looks like this, photo taken hours ago.

It is still in it's original u/v plastic sleeve at the bottom.

All Licualas sold at the nursery are sold with u/v plastic covering on the base.

p/s

Today I went to the nursery and discovered one Licuala had similar problem like mine! They had about 15 Licuala Grandis/Elegans there. (14 of them looking very green and healthy)

When I pointed out the Licuala plant which had the same problem, the seller told me to simply cut the dehydrated looking leaf off.

He was unable to tell me what caused the problem! When I left, he actually snip the affected leaves off.