pindo palm leave issue

[JeanB]

Hi. We had purchased a Pindo Palm 2 years ago in a pot in the hopes to let it grow a little and eventually plant it once our pool was remodeled.

I have noticed over the last 6 months that it starts to develop black/brown stains on the stems of the leaves. My intention was to plant it now since it is spring and we are re-doing our landscaping, but I am afraid that it may not be the right time since it has developed this disease.

Any advise would be helpful : should we go ahead and plant it ? will it die anyway ? best course of action.

[Jim in Los Altos]

Just a bit of fungal infection. Has it been pretty damp in your area this winter? Go ahead and plant it. It should grow out of that little infection. 

[JeanB]

don't think it was damp; we are in Houston, Tx so more like dry. But maybe too much watering. It started about 6 months ago.

I have a similar one that I had planted last year and it did not develop this disease/fungus. Hopefully it will grow out of it once I plant it.

Thanks for the input.

[Harry’s Palms]

They are pretty tough palms . It will hopefully grow out of it. Harry

[Merlyn]

@JeanB a "rachis blight" is not too unusual after cold fronts, and is generally cosmetic.  If it looks like it is quickly getting worse you could try a systemic antifungal like any "aluminum tris" (Fosetyl-Al, Aliette, etc), Banrot, Clearys 3336, or others.

I'd avoid watering by overhead spray, as this can cause or make fungal problems worse.  Just water directly into the pot instead.

I'd plant it anyway, they grow 2x faster in ground...or more.  Don't mess with the roots.  It's best to just slice the pot off (if rootbound) and plant directly as is. Wait at least aa month to fertilize, and don't mix any fertilizer into the planting hole.

[JeanB]

1 hour ago, Merlyn said:

@JeanB a "rachis blight" is not too unusual after cold fronts, and is generally cosmetic.  If it looks like it is quickly getting worse you could try a systemic antifungal like any "aluminum tris" (Fosetyl-Al, Aliette, etc), Banrot, Clearys 3336, or others.

I'd avoid watering by overhead spray, as this can cause or make fungal problems worse.  Just water directly into the pot instead.

I'd plant it anyway, they grow 2x faster in ground...or more.  Don't mess with the roots.  It's best to just slice the pot off (if rootbound) and plant directly as is. Wait at least aa month to fertilize, and don't mix any fertilizer into the planting hole.

Well noted on the planting instructions and no use of fertilizer.  Appreciate the input.