Archontophoenix (King Palm) Help!

[Jillian]

The branch’s pictured were over my head. I think it has several problems with the waves in the leaves, and some type of bug.  I recently sprayed it with Neem oil and Bio Bayer about 7 to 10 days ago and the new growth is already looking better. 

[jimmyt]

Appears by the photo to be spider mites.

[Steve Mac]

Jillian, Jimmy might be right,

but you really need to make an effort to get up a ladder and have a good look. Spider mites are so small and nearly invisible. But they can suck the life out of new leaves before they emerge. They need a different spray than the usual cheap insecticide. They need a miticide. repeated at a specific interval. Mealy bug made a couple of my big palms look like that too, because they were too high to see and treat properly (easily).

Recently I noticed here for the first time a combined insecticide/miticide and not too dear as miticide used to be. You may have already fixed the problem but don't forget to keep an eye on it so that it is gone, then the plant will recover. 

[Jillian]

I appreciate the responses and the information. Thank you. They definitely were sucking the life out of it alright. Do either of you know if spider mites go kind of dormant during winter and come back? 

 

[jimmyt]

@Jillian I don’t think they go “dormant” but are less active and less prevalent during cooler weather.  As @gtsteve suggests you will likely need to retreat the palm in a couple of weeks. 

[Jillian]

Thank you. Will do.