Sago Palm Phytophthora and brown gummy coming from trunk

[Brett M]

Hey everyone I’m in need of some advice for one of my prize sago palms. I sold my house and had some of my sago’s moved to my new home by a landscaper. He did a good job but before the job was done asked me if I would like the trunks cleaned of all the old dead nubs from prior years fronds. I told him go ahead as I have done this myself before with a sharp chainsaw. Unfortunately he got a little too deep in areas on the trunk and they’re now seeping a brown auburn color jelly like substance similar to phytophthora. I’m afraid he went too deep and also hadn’t properly cleaned the chain on the saw possibly starting the bacteria to set in. Making matters worse 3 weeks after the transfer we got 3 inches of rainfall moistening the soil and making for great bacteria growing conditions. I’m an almond tree farmer and have access to many fungicides on the market. Does anyone have any experience treating sago’s with this same problem? Please let me know if you have any input for me as it would be greatly appreciated. It’s a mature plant with about a 5 feet of trunk and 6 different heads/arms at the top so I would be absolutely sick if I lost it. Thank you in advance!

[zero]

Hi Brett, welcome to Palmtalk!  Sorry that I can't be much help for you in this issue, but perhaps going through this thread might offer some useable advice for a similar issue with a different non-palm that is often called a palm!  I'm sure you'd get better responses by posting in the "Tropical Looking Plants - Other Than Palms" forum and including a photo.  Sagos are pretty tough so I'm sure it will be OK.  There are many cycad enthusiasts here that can offer their opinions.  Good luck!

Jon

 

[Merlyn]

Hi Brett, I don't know about trunk damage on sagos, but I do know that they sometimes ooze a clear fluid in response to too much rain or wounds.  I've seen it discussed on the cycads FB page, but have never witnessed it myself.  If you can post some photos in the "Tropical Looking Plants - Other Than Palms" forum you'll probably get a lot more responses.  Also check out the Cycads group below, there are quite a few experts on there who may be able to help.  I only have one 2-headed sago and I'd be gutted to loose it...so I totally understand!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/315213375270185