Sick Trachy?? HELP!

hilashes · Post by **hilashes** » Mon May 24, 2010 10:10 am

I'm wondering if anyone knows why my Trachy's new spears are coming out like this? They're not only crinkled but very very pale and mottled brown in some spots. I've noticed some bugs down inside the crown, plus a spider or two...not sure if that has something to do with it. Another thing I think it could be is the good Potassium dose I gave it of 0-0-50 over a month or two ago...maybe I gave it too much? Today was time to fertilize again so I thought it could need some higher Nitrogen so gave it a 30-10-10. Hopefully that will green it up a bit. I'm wondering about my fertilizing method altogether now. I always give it the Miracle Grow 26-8-16 every 2 weeks with epsom salts. Seemed to work last year. My other Trachy doesn't look like that so not sure what's going on. Here's the link to the pics.

http://picasaweb.google.ca/hilashes/Tra ... directlink

Thanks so much!
Heidi

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Mon May 24, 2010 10:58 am

Heidi,
Looks to me like that's where the spear stalled over the winter. It likely had some water in the crown when it was cold and your seeing it now. I'd
be willing to bet that the next one that comes out will be prefect. It's like last year when you had the yellow ring just more severe.

If the next one out looks crappy too then I would think there was a problem going on. I think you'll be just fine though. With the fertilizer you just
gave it you'll know soon enough.

Hope I eased your mind,
Bill

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon May 24, 2010 11:44 am

Heidi, agree with Bill.
Will add if there are bugs in the crown could be a sign of some rot going on.
Could the spots be manganese deficiency?

Doesn't appear to be potassium deficiency, pictures here:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep269

Keep us posted please.
Barb

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon May 24, 2010 12:12 pm

Heidi, pics of manganese deficiency here:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep267

Barb

hilashes · Post by **hilashes** » Mon May 24, 2010 2:27 pm

Barb- thanks for the links, they're quite helpful. I really hope it's not some kind of rot - that's my worst fear!
Bill - Thanks for making me take a second look at the other spears. It does look like they're coming out the same way. I wonder if I should put some kind of bug spray down the crown? then maybe a fungicide just in case? Perhaps I'll just wait to see what my fertilizer will do.
I'll definitely keep you updated. Good memory on the yellow ring Bill! Thanks again you guys!

Heidi