Cocos Palm Seed Pods

[TC1983]

Hello

 

Probably a beginner question, yet I must ask anyway.  We have a large 30 year old Cocos Palm (in western australia so coming into peak growing season) and the amount of seed pods it puts out each year just seems to be rising and rising.  

 

In the past, it would put out several (I know cocos palms are renowned heavy seeders), however its now consistently getting 4+ seed pods at once (right now it has 6 on it) and seems to easily pump out 18+ pods a year. 

 

It is next to a lawn, if that makes any difference regarding fertiliser/water requirements.  The only fertiliser it gets is the occasional compost and chicken manure.

Is it a common problem that too much/ little fertiliser or water cause an increase in seed pods?

 

I know of Plant Growth Regulators (into lawn maintenance but not palms yet unfortunately) such as paclobutrazol.

Does anyone have any first hand experience for the use of paclobutrazol on palm trees?

The last thing I want to do is damage or harm the tree

 

Thanks

[Darold Petty]

Can't help with your question, but Welcome to Palmtalk !  

[TC1983]

Thanks Darold,  glad to be aboard

Edited November 9, 2021 by TC1983

[NOT A TA]

Welcome TC1983!

By "cocos palm" are you referring to Syagrus romanzoffiana known elsewhere as a Queen palm? If so, then yes they are prolific seed producers when they're happy and doubtful there's much you can do to change that since it's mature. You can cut off the inflorescence's but here in the states that makes the palm more vulnerable to a fungus named Thielaviopsis paradoxa which kills the palm if it becomes infected. Don't know if the disease is an issue in your part of the world.

[TC1983]

Thanks NOT A TA

 

Yes, a queen palm, glad to know they are 'happy' when they heavily seed - I have been told previously that excessive seeding meant it was stressed.  

I will be mindful with regard to the fungus, we are semifortunate here to have high temperatures so fungus on plants (aside occasional powdery mildew on heavily shaded plants) is a relative non issue as far as I know.  

Thanks again

[NOT A TA]

Many plants will seed heavily if stressed, however in my observations here in S FL Syagrus romanzoffiana isn't one of them. Here, when they're happy, they're a darker green and produce more seed. The ones that don't get enough water or nutrients are lighter colored, scrawny looking, and produce less seed. Most of the ones planted here aren't all that happy and get a bad reputation as a poor choice of tree. There was a mature one on the property when I bought my home and like many here it didn't look very good most of the year (better in winter) and produced 3-4 inflorescence's per year. Since it was already bigger than I'd like, would require a lot of fertilizer, and would soon become a liability, I cut it down.

A quick Google search showed Thielaviopsis paradoxa is present in Australia although it may or may not be common in your area. Unlike a fungus that starts on the outside of the plant which may be able to be stopped with chemicals or sanitary practices it enters the plant through wounds and kills the plant, there is no known cure once infected. Trimming off the inflorescence's on yours would provide wounds that might allow the fungus to get started. Trimming and woodpeckers are the most common ways they get infected here. Tree trimming crews move through an area trimming tree after tree without cleaning/disinfecting their tools and spread the disease. 

[NOT A TA]

If you see Syagrus romanzoffiana in your area that look like this one I would be very hesitant to cut off the inflorescence's. They seem more susceptible than many other palms to the thielaviopsis.  In this case trimmers have been spreading the disease from tree to tree in a large strip mall area for several years. Ya, I'm a weird plant pathology kinda guy who documents certain diseases like this.

.

[TC1983]

Thanks NOT A TA

 

Can say I have never seen anything like that palm over here.  Generally, they go very well over here – a house in the next street has 5 of them and never watered, pruned fertilised, etc.  Each seeds about 3 times per year and look less than good.

 

With regard to the arborists spreading diseases, you have made up my mind to hire a cherry picker for $200 and cut it myself.  I have been thinking about doing it this way as all arborists in the area are unreliable – the last guy cut all fronds bar 5  and he was still cutting with me standing underneath yelling at him to stop.  Then they leave large chunk up there that drop and smash bird baths, etc.

 

Have 3 other trees that need cutting so worth the cost.

 

I have all proper equipment, arborist chainsaw, etc and well versed in protective equipment so will carefully cut what is necessary off. 

 

Thanks again