Jubaea Chilensis problem

[Jon_Alex]

Ok, so I planted this Jubaea in Spring 2015.  I paid $300 from a local nursery here in Northern Ca.  At the time of purchase it had the tipping/necrosis seen in the photo (of the frond) but not the severe death/necrosis of the smaller internal spears as seen in the close-up photo of the inside of the plant (or at least I did not notice it).  This latter damage started showing up during the summer as the new spears were coming out.  It seems to me this is a problem from the nursery... the box was partially rotted at the bottom and the frond tipping did seem somewhat severe.  But as I didn't know anything about Jubaeas I went ahead and bought it.  

What's happening is that the emerging spears are dying/rotting but eventually, as they emerge further, the bottom part is green and seems normal.  In other words, half the frond comes out dead with the lower half intact.

As I'm just getting into growing palms, I need some advice on what this is.  I've been spraying copper once per week in the assumption that it's a fungus.  I watered what I thought was fairly normal for a palm in sandy loamy soil in the Sacramento valley summer heat (i.e. at least once per week on micro drip).  In retrospect I may have over-watered slightly and exacerbated any pre-existing fungal condition for example... although it seems unlikely I was way off base as I have other palms on the property, all doing well.  

My plan for now is to let it go and see what happens... unless it's in danger of spreading to other nearby palms, in which case I'd pull it.  I'm currently growing some other Jubaeas from sprouted seed... I've got 4 to successfully take, but they are so SLOW and DELICATE it seems!  No wonder people charge for them... Any thoughts?

Edited January 5, 2016 by Jon_Alex

[swolf]

I don't know the probabilities of saving that palm but standard protocol would include pouring hydrogen peroxide down the hole in the crown (but dry up the excess moisture with a paper towel or slit vertically to allow drainage) and also treat with a systemic fungicide like Banrot.  Keep the palm on the dry side.  I'd probably report the history to the seller so that, if it doesn't make it, you may get a replacement for little expense.

Steve

 

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

I have gone through this, along with many other Jubaea specific issues over the last few years.  The good news is that Jubaea can spear pull and bud rot ONCE and still manage maintain a respectable mortality rate.  The even better news for you is that if the spear is growing and you are starting to see green the palm will be just fine.  DON"T PUT ANY MORE PEROXIDE in this plant if it is pushing the spear, or you will have this issue again and it may not survive two episodes.  From what I can tell the spears are easily damaged during moving/planting, etc and causes this issue.  Also overhead watering and high humidty will cause this exact same problem with Jubaea as well.  It appears that I live very close to the maximum summer dewpoints that Jubaea will tolerate.  I learned this the hard way and was forced to move about a thousand 1g-15g plants to a completely different location with better airflow because the watering of my other nursery plants elevated the humidity level in the general vicinity and was killing Jubaea by the bunches.  Since that move they have done MUCH better and I haven't lost but a few.

Also for reference I also grow a lot of Brahea Armata and I've never, ever had an issue with them and the humidity. So if you can't grow Brahea Armata because of humidity then you don't have a prayer successfully growing Jubaea.

[Jon_Alex]

Thanks for the replies.  Ok, I guess will let it go and not do the peroxide.  It is pushing the spears up, although with the winter weather it now looks a little worse for wear.  The spears are still partially green though.  I've not been overhead watering it, and the humidity here in the Sacramento valley is not high.  

I have a Brahae, phoenix, Washingtonias, queens, Pindo on the property as well, all doing fine.  The Jubaeas seem like a slightly different beast though.  I'm wondering if this is fungal or if it's partially due to excessive stress... maybe from being pot-bound (it was the largest one he had in that box size) too long... 

Another mistake I made in retrospect was working the soil excessively with a tractor and planting before allowing the soil to settle back down.  I think this has caused some movement/compaction as the tree has been establishing...

Edited January 9, 2016 by Jon_Alex