Honey fungus resistance in palms

[populvuh]

Hi de hi,

        I got this email the other day, and I was wondering if anyone here knows anything about this (the email is from the UK);

I am charged with finding out about honey fungus resistance in palms as my beloved has a very large Trachycarpus fortunei (15 ft) in a pot in his garden and a Chamaerops humilis he really wants to put it in the ground as it is not going to survive in the pot for much longer. The trouble is he lives in an area that is rife with honey fungus. We can find nothing on the internet to say that palms are resistant or susceptible and experience in the UK with palms is still a growing phenomenon. I understand the disease is worldwide and I wondered if any of your members have any experience of growing these plants in an area infected with Armarilla or if anyone would know who to ask.

[Bilbo]

I have seen Honey fungus kill an "exotic" - Auracaria auracana (Monkey Puzzle) which quickly died after turning a nasty shade of yellow.

It apparently is in the soil of a small area locally.

Quercus ilex (Holm Oak) of which there are many nearby that site were completely unaffected. The avenue (East-West) of Holm Oaks is over a mile long and probably some kind of world record for mature trees over 100 years old - only wish our tourist guys could wake up to this!

I cant be 100% certain of course but I dont know of any palm being affected by the fungus in the UK and this includes commercial palm nurseries which I am confident would be among the first to notice and report this problem if it had occured.

For the record my own palms; T.fortunei, Chamaerops humilisX2, C.humilis "Cerifera", Brahea armata, B.edulis, Butia capitata X2, P.canariensis X3 and Syagrus romanzoffiana are all enjoying rude health.

The Queen in particular is appreciating high nitrate feeding and responding well.

CIDP's also enjoy high nitrate as to a lesser extent so do Pindo's once they have reached about 6'.

My climate here; coastal temperate. Soil; rich slightly acid clay overlaying solid chalk which fortunately is at a good depth below.

Regardez

Juan

[tanetahi]

Although Armillaria species mostly attack woody plants, there are a few reports of it attacking palms - here's one about Butia capitata in South Carolina;

First Report of Armillaria tabescens Causing Armillaria Root Rot of Pindo Palm in South Carolina