Chrysalidocarpus prestonianus new spear damage

[Tracy]

My largest Chrysalidocarpus prestonianus is pushing a new spear that is on the verge of splitting.   I noticed some damage near the base of where they are splitting.   I haven't seen this before and even with a ladder I can't get up to examine it more closely.

I am curious if anyone else in Southern California has experienced something similar?

[flplantguy]

Im not in S. cali but that looks very concerning to me. Looks like the spear is rotting on the inside. Mine are all small enough that the cause would be obvious, but at that size? Im a bit stumped why it would happen.  And that height won't allow peroxide or a spray systemic if thats the issue. Hopefully someone local can chime in with more details and you can save it!

[kinzyjr]

Definitely a fungal rot of some kind.  I've had it on mine, but I'm in a moist climate by comparison.  These seem prone to it.  If you can find a way to get some peroxide or fungicide into the crown, that would help.  Short of that, a soil drench product like Banrot should take care of it once the plant takes it up.

[Billeb]

@Tracy My Belmoreana pushed a spear that was similar looking and it grew out of it on the next. Whenever I see something weird or possibly bug related, I use Malathion. Probably not the correct solution but it has seemed to work. 
 

The tree looks awesome otherwise, hopefully it’ll pull thru. I think it will but I can imagine the concern. 
 

-dale 

[Tracy]

4 hours ago, kinzyjr said:

Definitely a fungal rot of some kind.  I've had it on mine, but I'm in a moist climate by comparison.  These seem prone to it.  If you can find a way to get some peroxide or fungicide into the crown, that would help.  Short of that, a soil drench product like Banrot should take care of it once the plant takes it up.

Standing on the top level of my ladder and reaching up, I sprayed some Daconil up with glasses and eyes closed.  

I aalso took a couple of disconcerting photos 

[kinzyjr]

3 minutes ago, Tracy said:

Standing on the top level of my ladder and reaching up, I sprayed some Daconil up with glasses and eyes closed.  

I aalso took a couple of disconcerting photos 

That's some nasty-looking rot, but if whatever is causing it is eliminated, I think it will recover.

[realarch]

Well, good luck Tracy. My C. loucoubensis had a similar incident, but thankfully it was at a height where I could inspect the damage. I didn’t see any critters, so I assumed it was a pathogen and did regular treatments of peroxide. It finally pushed a new spear and currently looks none the worse for wear. Luckily you check your palms frequently, makes a big difference.

Tim

[TomJ]

I think the cause/culprit is banana moth.

The rot is a by product of the damage.

[Tracy]

50 minutes ago, TomJ said:

I think the cause/culprit is banana moth.

The rot is a by product of the damage.

Thanks for the feedback Tom.  I haven't researched treatments for banana moth yet, but assume malathion might be a good starting point?

[flplantguy]

I had mealybugs doing similar damage in the crowns of seedlings of other species leading to rot, i hope yours is ok. Mine are pretty much goners at that size, even treating when it happened.  

[Tracy]

A different Chrysalidocarpus but some similar early signs of trouble.   This one is down low and the apparent attack on the emerging leaf base faces toward the driveway so was very visible.   By the looks, I will guess another banana moth attack. 

Over the weekend I helped a dead leaf come off my Chrysalidocarpus saintelucei.   When it came off a South American Palm weevil appeared to be inside the leaf base that came off.  It could have been in the inflorescence above and just fallen but it was a shock to see.  I examined the palm but found no trace of any boring.  So, it could have just been resting and looking for it's next stop.  That is the hopeful me talking, as I have not heard of them attacking a crownshafted palm.

[Hilo Jason]

Sorry to see this Tracy. Looks similar to issues I have somewhat frequently. Definitely get some peroxide in there and some bug killer as well. At least it’s summer and that should help as the spear should be pushing fast and can hopefully push out that bad part and recover. Works about 9 times out of 10 for me. I did recently lose a trunking Chrysalidocarpus Ifanadianae which was a bummer as they are hard to find now. Keep us posted. 

[Tracy]

Well the rest of the new leaf looks good as it is opening this morning.   I have treated this like a banana moth issue and as you said Jason, at least it is summer and able to recuperate hopefully. 

[BS Man about Palms]

I've had this in the past, and while I  worry about it, I've rarely done anything about it. I'm sure I'm destined to regret that eventually.  The big curly had it when I  first got it in a big pot... I  think it survived it some 10+ years later. 🤓