Lady Palm - white on stems

[Krusty]

New member here and I have several large lady palms in my yard. Overall they are ok but I’ve noticed a white dust/powder on the stems of several canes on one of them. Also, I’ve noticed several spots on some of the new growth which I don’t think should be occurring. Based on what I’ve researched online I might have a fungus and have treated the trunks with Neem oil.

Any suggestions or ideas? How long should fronds “live” before the start to decompose? Just trying to understand what I’m dealing with…

Thanks!!!

 

 

[SeanK]

First guess is scale insects. However, I'd expect more on the leaves than on the petioles.

[happypalms]

Tricky to see a good look at your picture, iam going with mealy bug. 

[Merlyn]

@Krusty welcome to Palmtalk!  I'd also guess the white stuff is mealybugs.  I use any generic insecticide for it, typically Malathion or Acephate.  Insecticidal soaps can work too, though I have avoided neem oil.  The only thing I've managed to kill with neem oil is plants, due to leaf burning in the sun. 

As far as the brown spots go, if it's a new frond opening up then it probably had a fungal infection in the spear leaf over winter.  That happens sometimes.  I'd check the new spear and see if it looks like it has brown spots hidden in there too.  If so, the plant may have a bud rot.  That's usually treatable if caught early.  I use a good squirt of hydrogen peroxide in the crown as a diagnostic.  If it foams up there's fungus...if it doesn't there's no fungus present.  If it foams I then follow up in a couple of hours with Daconil.  Repeat 2x or 3x per week until it's no longer foams up with the hydrogen peroxide.

Another thing that can cause brown fungal spots is overhead watering from a hose or a sprinkler.  Rainwater from above is fine, but many people find issues with tap water causing fungal spots.