I’ve had this for several years- I think it’s a Macrozamia Johnsonii if I remember right.

 

 

As you can see from the inner leaves- it’s got something. Can anyone Id the problem and offer treatment advice? Oh yeah- and is it what I think it is?

 

thanks!

 

dave

My neighbors have a sago that has a similar issue. They tried to stop it but it always came back. I dont think its anything to worry about as said sago is still trucking. But that is definetly worse than the sago. 

7 hours ago, doubravsky said:

I’ve had this for several years- I think it’s a Macrozamia Johnsonii if I remember right.

 

 

As you can see from the inner leaves- it’s got something. Can anyone Id the problem and offer treatment advice? Oh yeah- and is it what I think it is?

 

thanks!

 

dave

Aside from the spider webs / built up debris in the crown, looks like you may have a building issue w/ scale insect.  Best course of action can involve drenching the soil around the base of the plant w/ something that will translocate ( through the roots ) and kill the scale.. Not a fan of using such products myself, but since it isn't flowering, shouldn't harm anything, except the bugs feeding on those fronds/ leaflets..  Could also spray a mixture of soap and water on the leaves to help knock them down..  Would try to clean out the debris in the crown - as best as you can - also.  Have heard using Coffee grounds can help ..but the jury is still out on absolute effectiveness. 

Is the white powder Sevin Dust or insect residue?The web looks more like something spider mites would do, or possibly caterpillars? Any sign of these insects?

Edited June 2, 20206 yr by Meangreen94z

Thanks! Just ordered some oil spray. I’ll get after it in the next few days. 

I read somewhere that cutting off affected leaves and cleaning would be a good remedy. But it’s the innermost leaves that are the worst so I’d have to strip it bare. Do you recommend that?

I second the spider mite + mealy bug theory.  Soapy water or Horticultural oil spray and saturate it.  May have to repeat in 7-10 days.  Suffocate the little buggars!!

1 hour ago, Johnny Palmseed said:

Actually, I was going to mention that in my post but I forgot. I usually do that on the Zamias but only in the spring time. I cut everything and let it re grow. Your plant doesn’t look that bad so I would only do that as a last resort. The horticultural oil is pretty good if used correctly per the instructions and isn’t so harsh like malathion and similar insecticides.

Thanks! I'll try the oil and cleaning first...

On 6/2/2020 at 9:32 AM, doubravsky said:

Thanks! I'll try the oil and cleaning first...

Being on the coast, I have a good environment with our marine layer in the spring to get these white scale and mealy bugs as well.  They like the new softer growth which is why you are seeing it first on the inner growth of your Macrozamia.  As Silas mentioned above, I don't like to use systemics, but in that Cycads don't flower so aren't attracting bee's or birds, I have resorted to using it on some of my more susceptible cycads.  Like Macrozamia's, it is the finer leafed Encephalartos species that I have had the most frequent problems with this.  E caffer, cerinus, laevifolius as well as on my Microcycas calcoma.  I have used the Bayer "Tree and Shrub Insect Control" insecticide.  Again, I would never use this near eatables or flowering plants of any kind, but it seems to be effective.

Ok.... I cleaned out the majority of the debris without impaling myself too bad, tried to clean up the caudex a little bit, and sprayed thoroughly with oil. Hope that does the trick! Thanks for the great advice!