Should I Pause Palm Planting in Puerto Rico?

[Cindy Adair]

May is generally an excellent month for planting.
 

Rains part of most afternoon, but time for newly installed plants to grow some anchoring roots before possible strong wind events  (AKA hurricanes) August through October. 
 

It often takes multiple years to grow even 4 inch size rarer palms to plant from seed or tiny seedlings. 
 

However today I strolled through some areas with space for palms and am not happy with what I see. 

All three of my Cyphophoenix nucele palms are in bad shape although if I stake it up and treat again maybe one might survive. 

More beetle attacks with some surely to die and some I might save with lots of effort. 

This Hyophorbe indica looked like a goner last year but might live after growing a new spear. 

Pinanga crassipes must be especially tasty. 

Same for Acanthophoenix rubra.

 

All of these were treated with Bayer Imidocloprid in February to early March. Some were attacked last year too and I did not take photos of all the current victims. 
 

In fact I paused my inspection and am re thinking as my topic title suggests. 

[Cindy Adair]

My thoughts include trying sand collars as posted earlier but lots of work/energy based on a mere suggestion in vitro with a different rhino species. 
 

Or I could obtain the tablet form of imidocloprid (Coretect) online as one grower in Hawaii suggested and insert a tablet into each hole to start

maybe with some sand on top at least to the ones in crisis.  Really hard to check all my many palms even weekly and best to be pro active than reactive. Lots of losses despite my continuing efforts with barrier and chemical methods.

I could use the Bayer Coretect tablets on palms at planting time to start?

Or pause palm planting entirely in favor of non palms until I get a better handle on rhino beetle co existence?

Lots of work to up pot up growing palms and space in shadehouse not unlimited.

As you see hints of below I have lots of non palm plants and palms of various sizes not shown including ones on sunny benches.
 

I’ll admit to spending huge amounts of time this last year getting new sun to part sun to shade areas ready.
 

If I don’t plant lots of something my jungle will fill in again and most of my efforts will seem wasted. 

Planting is fun and weeding now partially cleared land and battling beetles not so much!

Thoughts appreciated. 

[John hovancsek]

It’s always something. I haven’t got any signs of coconut rhino Betle yet but they are here on the island. Good luck, I hope u don’t find any more victims 

[Cindy Adair]

OK after my morning of doubts, I reluctantly ordered some Coretect tablets online and plant to use them as directed for all palms that I plant this year.
 

I will also treat the ones in ground (when I have time) since lots of failures with the granules used only 2-3 months ago.
 

Instructions say it takes a month to disperse so putting them into the pots ASAP is my plan. 

I will continue removing flowers from all imidocloprid treated palms. 

[peachy]

Have you thought about planting some rare palms that look good together with a few other tropical type plants in display beds, a plant tableau effect ? That way you can check on your special babies all at once instead of wandering all over the place. I have noticed in a few of the really large parks and gardens here that they use that method.

Peachy

[Cindy Adair]

Peachy that could help in the future and I do enjoy using tropicals other than palms to help showcase my favorites. 
 

So far I have hundreds of species and too numerous to count individual palms so too late to exercise restraint!

[Austinpalm]

Hello Cindy,

Was the netting around the Pinanga crassipes intended to stop beetle attacks?  If so, is there possibly a more robust version you could use that might be strong enough to repel beetles?  Or, do you have access to 1-2 inch river rock you could pile around your palms and blanket the ground at least 6-inches out?  I did that in Austin, and while a bit of an effort, it generally worked for me.  You just need to make sure you have the rock deep enough and out far enough from the palm to be a deterrent. The rocks need to be 1-2 inches in size and heavy.  The beetle are surprisingly strong and will push smaller or liter rocks out of the way. Hope you are able to find something that works.  Beetles can be an especially irritating problem.  Good luck!

[Cindy Adair]

I appreciate your suggestions Austinpalm and so glad you have had some good results!

I definitely have tried rocks as part of a barrier plan so if you have interest in my attempts or lots of spare time or insomnia please see:

Thanks!

[Ed Askew]

I have had some luck putting permethrin granules, something like 3 ounces, at the bottom of every hole I plant a palm.  Also, since I've been using the palm fortress, I realize that beetle burrows we are seeing are not always initiated from above the ground, but the beetles are getting to the palms laterally from underground tunnels.  So, now  I use 360 degree protection with pond pebbles.  Every new palm I plant takes one or two bags of palm pebbles, with some at the bottom of the hole ( permethrin goes on top of dirt compacted on the top of the bottom layer pond pebbles.  I dig my holes 18" deep.) and the hole filled in all around with pond pebbles instead of dirt.  Sabal palms don't seem to mind a bit. You know, I think you could probably just use some bricks or tiles tight together on top of the ground instead of the palm fortress, but haven't tried that.  The palm fortress forms 14x14' protection on top.

[Cindy Adair]

I especially love the “palm fortress” name!!