'Sick Trachy' Update

[hilashes]

Hi All....just thought I'd send an update on my one Trachy I thought was sick...or had some kind of rot going on. It took about 4 spears to tell, but the newest spear is now perfect looking with no brown spots or crinkle to it....which tells me I'm sure the palm is just fine. I cannot get a pic because of the rain, but will soon. In the meantime I'm still trying to figure out how to get rid of the potato bugs (or pillbugs?) crawling inside the crown....our backyard has loads of them. does anyone know which bug I'm talking about? They don't seem to be harmful, but I could be wrong. here's a pic..



Thanks guys,
Heidi

[lucky1]

Heidi,
Your trachy's put out FOUR leaves?
That's outstanding, considering Vancouver (or us for that matter) haven't had a hot spring.

I have never seen one of those...something similar occasionally crawls across the concrete garage floor, but it's closer to the ground (shorter legs?).
What the heck is that?
You need to borrow some of Erik's chickens...the bugs would be gone in a day.

Barb

[hilashes]

Hey Barb thanks for the reply. I too am amazed the Trachys are growing that fast too! Wish I could say the same about my Basjoo...it's still a 3 inch sprout! We've had the worst weather so far...cooler and nothing but rain. Imagine how fast they'd grow if it was so warm and sunny!

AH chickens...what a great idea, especially now that Vancouver has okay'ed the regulations to have them in backyards! lol Perhaps I'll ask around at garden stores regarding the bugs. I see them on the concrete (with the little legs), but you'll also find them under dark places in swarms! Probably not too many in the Okanagan....maybe they like the moist coast?

Good to talk to you Barb!

Heidi

[TerdalFarm]

Yes, chickens!
"Urban chickens" is a hot fad right now. Most cities allow hens (no roosters). They eat your bugs, aerate and fertilize the soil and snack on germinating weed seeds. They turn all that into fresh eggs for you to eat. --Erik

[sidpook]

Hi All....just thought I'd send an update on my one Trachy I thought was sick...or had some kind of rot going on. It took about 4 spears to tell, but the newest spear is now perfect looking with no brown spots or crinkle to it....which tells me I'm sure the palm is just fine. I cannot get a pic because of the rain, but will soon. In the meantime I'm still trying to figure out how to get rid of the potato bugs (or pillbugs?) crawling inside the crown....our backyard has loads of them. does anyone know which bug I'm talking about? They don't seem to be harmful, but I could be wrong. here's a pic..



Thanks guys,
Heidi

Pill bugs are also called rollie pollies...they hang out in moist places so in essence even if they don't eat too much , they are a sure sign of too much moisture which is bad anyway. I found a huge nest of earwigs growing in one of my trachys in early spring, I was sure it was a goner due to the moisture but it did survive after losing two spears...UGH!!! Good Luck!!

[sidpook]

Hi All....just thought I'd send an update on my one Trachy I thought was sick...or had some kind of rot going on. It took about 4 spears to tell, but the newest spear is now perfect looking with no brown spots or crinkle to it....which tells me I'm sure the palm is just fine. I cannot get a pic because of the rain, but will soon. In the meantime I'm still trying to figure out how to get rid of the potato bugs (or pillbugs?) crawling inside the crown....our backyard has loads of them. does anyone know which bug I'm talking about? They don't seem to be harmful, but I could be wrong. here's a pic..



Thanks guys,
Heidi

Pill bugs are also called rollie pollies...they hang out in moist places so in essence even if they don't eat too much , they are a sure sign of too much moisture which is bad anyway. I found a huge nest of earwigs growing in one of my trachys in early spring, I was sure it was a goner due to the moisture but it did survive after losing two spears...UGH!!! Good Luck!!

[hilashes]

Erik - the chickens sure sound valuable. I don't think my cat would like it, not to mention my husband; plus he'd think I've completely lost it. lol still I think it's a cool idea!

Mike - thanks for sharing about the bugs...yikes! we've had too much rain and not enough sun to dry it out. I really hope it's not suffering any rot! I'll just have to keep my eye on it - so far so good.

Heidi

[hardyjim]

I wouldn't worry to much about Trachys and summer rain,where they grow in the
mountains there is heavy monsoon rainfall,we've had close to 15" since May 9.

As long as it's mild/warm,they are happy with lot's o'water!

I am thinking about watering my stuff more,if I ever need to again

[sidpook]

We could sure use some of that rain here in South Jersey...After a very wet and snowy winter and spring, we are hoping for a good soaking....

[BILL MA]

Heidi,
That trachy of yours looked like it was going to be fine from your original pictures, glad it is though. That's pretty rough that your basjoos have only grown 3" I think I'd have been more concerned with that then your trachy. I hope there not rotting out on you. Some nice sun and warmth should do the trick hopefully.

It must be wet if you have those rollie pollie bugs in the crown, I've seen them under pots that I've watered but never in the plant it self. Ear wigs on the other had seem to love to hang out behind the old banana layers by the top. Does anyone else have this happening?

Bill

[hardyjim]

Heidi,
Ear wigs on the other had seem to love to hang out behind the old banana layers by the top. Does anyone else have this happening?

Bill

Yes Mr Bill

[lucky1]

Ya, what is it with Banana plants and earwigs?
I've got 'em too.
YUK.

Hey Heidi, if those pill bugs drive you nuts, maybe the pointed shop-vac tool would do the job.
As long as you don't force the crown open too much?

If I see more than one earwig, I'm gonna try the shop-vac too.

Barb

[hilashes]

Jim, I agree on the Trachys being in the mountains where they are used to so much moisture. They also prefer the cooler temperatures, don't they?

Bill thanks for the reply. I think you're right about the Basjoo, it definitely needs some sun...it's had a very slow start to this year with all the rain and cooler temps. I'm tempted to go buy and nice big one just so I can have my view again! I'm watching carefully for bugs on it too but so far so good.

Barb, good idea with the shop-vac, I'll try that out! I've also done a lot of internet searches on the Pill Bugs (or another name is Sow Bug) and it looks like they could be attracted to slug bait so I might buy some of that too. Also yeast is supposed to be a good one.

Heidi

[sidpook]

Heidi,
That trachy of yours looked like it was going to be fine from your original pictures, glad it is though. That's pretty rough that your basjoos have only grown 3" I think I'd have been more concerned with that then your trachy. I hope there not rotting out on you. Some nice sun and warmth should do the trick hopefully.

It must be wet if you have those rollie pollie bugs in the crown, I've seen them under pots that I've watered but never in the plant it self. Ear wigs on the other had seem to love to hang out behind the old banana layers by the top. Does anyone else have this happening?

Bill

Ugh, I freakin' hate ear wigs! They are everywhere. Besides giant red centipedes, they are the second worse bug that makes the hair on my neck stand up! ughhhh!