Pest Observations

[ColumbusPalm]

Hey All,

 

Thought I’d share my experience with Trachies and Sabal inside this winter. Worthy note is all of their pots froze solid earlier in the winter before bringing in. 

 

Sabal Brazoria, Louisiana and Birmingham have been pest free the entire winter. And have even grown a little bit. The Brazoria has almost put out a full frond indoors. 
 

Trachycarpus fortunei (2 of them, one Bulgaria) have been pest magnets and have treated scale once and spider mites several times with different things - neem, captain jacks and alcohol. 
 

Trachycarpus takil - this is the one that prompted the post.  Just my experience but indoors will put a plant to the test for common pests… They have been right by the fortunei but have largely resisted any pests. Treated for spider mites once and haven’t seen them since. No scale. Perhaps their hardiness goes beyond the cold. 
 

The takils are the two terracotta pots in the middle to show proximity. 
 

Sabal Brazoria 

 

Nate 

[Manalto]

Thank you for this, Nate. I rate disease resistance high among the requirements for a plant that goes in my garden. Aphids are a common problem here for outdoor plants but the solution is often just to hit the plant with a strong spray from the hose. I'm willing to do that kind of thing but ongoing battles with pests (and pesticides) are out. A pest-prone plant gets 86ed and something else goes in its spot.  La vida es corta.

Edited February 24, 2022 by Manalto

[GoatLockerGuns]

4 hours ago, ColumbusPalm said:

Trachycarpus fortunei (2 of them, one Bulgaria) have been pest magnets and have treated scale once and spider mites several times with different things - neem, captain jacks and alcohol. 

I am constantly battling scale on my potted Trachycarpus fortunei "Wagnerianus" cultivar (outdoor pot); however, I have never had such a problem with my regular Trachycarpus fortunei (with 2' of trunk) planted in the ground.  What have you found to be the best defense and/or treatment for scale on your potted Trachycarpus fortunei?

[ColumbusPalm]

56 minutes ago, GoatLockerGuns said:

I am constantly battling scale on my potted Trachycarpus fortunei "Wagnerianus" cultivar (outdoor pot); however, I have never had such a problem with my regular Trachycarpus fortunei (with 2' of trunk) planted in the ground.  What have you found to be the best defense and/or treatment for scale on your potted Trachycarpus fortunei?

I haven’t seen scale in my fortunei since I treated with a 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water mix. I sprayed the whole thing down and wiped the leaves and that seemed to knock them out. Every other oil or pesticide didn’t ever eradicate them like alcohol seems to have. Every scale I missed (mostly in new fronds) with the run down just falls right off when I touch them so they appear dead.