How do you control pests and diseases?

[flowlover]

Description: This is a forum for all things palms in pots! Whether you're a seasoned palm enthusiast or just starting out, this is the place to share your knowledge, experience, and photos. We can discuss everything from potting mix and watering to pest control and fertilization. We can also share tips on how to keep our palms healthy and happy indoors and out.

 

[SeanK]

I used Sevin spray 3x last year on Sabal minor to control scale. I expect to use it four to six times this year as the bugs are so aggressive.

[Leelanau Palms]

2 hours ago, flowlover said:

Description: This is a forum for all things palms in pots! Whether you're a seasoned palm enthusiast or just starting out, this is the place to share your knowledge, experience, and photos. We can discuss everything from potting mix and watering to pest control and fertilization. We can also share tips on how to keep our palms healthy and happy indoors and out.

 

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[Silas_Sancona]

A bit confused on this as well...

Regardless, ....


Keeping them happy: = grow the palm / plant species that will survive indoors.  Don't push those that won't.  Do through research via reputable sources first..  Yasss, that means some Homework...  Never trust tags.  Even if the tag at the store says  " Makes a great houseplant " that doesn't mean it will.

Pest insect and disease  issues:  =  The two go hand in hand... Bad soil / soil that stays too wet / over fertilized / inadequate lighting / air flow = can lead to fungal / bacterial issues ...and set up the perfect conditions for attracting pest insects ...9 out of 10 times, pest insects like Mealy Bugs, Spider Mites,  and Aphids  are attracted to plants that are already stressed out by - something else  that goes wrong  first...


Control: = is best done naturally...  While bad enough on outdoor plants, the negative effects of the following statement are amplified on potted indoor plants..  Chemical ..." Stuff " can cause more damage to both your plants, and the soil they're growing in ...which leads to more trouble..

Fertilizing: = Less is better for stuff in pots  ( And in the ground. ) Many people over-fertilize wayy more often than under- fertilize ). Natural is always best ..Synthetic / Chemical ferts are often derived of various salts that will build up in the soil, esp. potted stuff.

Salt build up? = more plant issues..


Pretty simple..

 

[PalmatierMeg]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

A bit confused on this as well...

Regardless, ....


Keeping them happy: = grow the palm / plant species that will survive indoors.  Don't push those that won't.  Do through research via reputable sources first..  Yasss, that means some Homework...  Never trust tags.  Even if the tag at the store says  " Makes a great houseplant " that doesn't mean it will.

Pest insect and disease  issues:  =  The two go hand in hand... Bad soil / soil that stays too wet / over fertilized / inadequate lighting / air flow = can lead to fungal / bacterial issues ...and set up the perfect conditions for attracting pest insects ...9 out of 10 times, pest insects like Mealy Bugs, Spider Mites,  and Aphids  are attracted to plants that are already stressed out by - something else  that goes wrong  first...


Control: = is best done naturally...  While bad enough on outdoor plants, the negative effects of the following statement are amplified on potted indoor plants..  Chemical ..." Stuff " can cause more damage to both your plants, and the soil they're growing in ...which leads to more trouble..

Fertilizing: = Less is better for stuff in pots  ( And in the ground. ) Many people over-fertilize wayy more often than under- fertilize ). Natural is always best ..Synthetic / Chemical ferts are often derived of various salts that will build up in the soil, esp. potted stuff.

Salt build up? = more plant issues..


Pretty simple..

 

Agree. That about nails it.

[Silas_Sancona]

Here's an example of a palm that can be grown indoors year round, or part of the year, depending on  how someone's cool season climate behaves,  w/ relative ease.. 

Chamaedorea metallica..







Great small palm that naturally likes lower light situations thus, being an ideal option for indoor culture.



For me, they are only brought indoors because i've kept specimens of the same sp. outside during the hottest part of our summers and had them fry  in  -all day- shade   Won't repeat that error w/ these..  If ..or when.. our summer monsoon season sets in, i may place them on the front porch on cloudy days where they can get some natural rainfall / nice dose of extra humidity

Once it isn't 100F+ out -every day-, they'll go out on the porch..

For now,  they sit in an east facing window w/ the " thicker " curtains open thru the day, every day.

Soil they are in is 70%  in-organics consisting of Turface MVP / some Wash Grit, Pumice, and small Lava, 30% Cocopeat. I also put a 1-2" layer of a crushed, Lava like stone called " Timber / Fire -lite atop the soil ..plus staging some larger rocks you can see in the shots. ( I like the look of rocks around plants ) In the absence of the rock " dressing "option  mentioned above, one could use regular Lava.

Pots are approx 12" wide ..whats that ..like a 3.5 / 4gal equivalent..

Aside from washing dust off the leaves every so often if needed, i only water ..deep soak,  2x's -to be sure the roots are well soaked.. once every two weeks.. 

Had then since ..Feb?  Came in about the middle of April and haven't fed yet. When i do ..some diluted fish, and maybe a pinch of Langbeinite. Thats it. Repeat  come the end of August or September.

..No bug / other issues ..other than some hard water deposits on the leaves / a spot or two on one frond.

Fingers crossed, but healthy and happy.  Plenty of pictures of specimens grown indoors, all year, posted here on the forum thru the years, and elsewhere.

Female plant in pot #2 throwing 2 inflos atm.. Waiting to see if there are any other female plants, or the rest of what i got are all dudes..

[SeanK]

Generally, more success will be had growing small species, understory plants indoors. Avoid spines and toxic plants.

Examples; Chamaedorea vs. Ravanea, Raphis vs. Livistona. Most cycads are toxic to dogs. 

[Silas_Sancona]

4 hours ago, SeanK said:

Most cycads are toxic to dogs. 

This is true,   That said:  

If a pet owner allows their pets to chew on leaves...  Note the " Allows  them to "  part..   If grown  indoors, there are no excuses for any animal being poisoned by consuming parts of a known toxic plant being grown..  That is 100%  human error / wilful negligence by said pet parent.  No excuses.

Squirt bottle, and a firm " leave it! " ...until the negative behavior is re directed  / corrected  will teach any 4 legged chewer to leave plants ...and other things they shouldn't be chewing on... alone. 

Keeping a pet out of trouble too hard of a job for the pet " owner "?   ..don't own pets..  Get a Furby or Chia Pet..  Pretty simple..

That and actually paying attention to any 4 legged family member in the 2 legged household.. Never had issues with my 4 legged son chewing on plants,  ever. ..and he's a chewer.  just ask the mutilated toilet paper / ..anything made out of paper for that matter. 

[happypalms]

Good soil and No weeds all weeds do is take micro and macro nutrients and are prime places for insects to spread disease and love of plants is one trick 

[flowlover]

I opened a topic for the thank you comment. I forgot to add my question. Still understood, thank you very much! :)
I don't know what I would do without flowers and plants. It eliminated my psychological problems. I thought that life was over, especially after losing someone close to me. That's why I did research on flowers that represent death. Then I became a novice gardener. For this reason, my plants are very valuable and I never want insects to damage them. I do not use lime water.