Trachy Fungus

[hilashes]

Hi everyone, hope this finds you well...
just an update on my two trachys...I went out a couple of days ago to give them a good look and see how they're coming along. The one Trachy I hadn't sheltered all winter has a spear that's turning brown. the rest of the leaves from previous frosts i had to cut off so it doesn't look very good right now. The other Trachy that had the shelter I was so happy to see came out looking so great....until I checked its center spear which is soft, wilted a bit and covered in thick white fungus. the same with the second spear before it....so I sprayed it with Safer's Defender Garden Fungicide. I checked it again yesterday and it still has some on it so I think I'll spray some more today. not sure what more I can do. I'm afraid these palms are dying. YIKES!!
Here's a pic of the chopped leaves on the first palm. I can try and take a pic of the center spears if needed.





Thanks folks,
Heidi

[wxman]

What has your weather been like?

Curious, too. How far are you from Saltspring Island? On another palm board there is a prominent poster from there who grows tons of trachys without protection. Wondering how much the climate differs.

[hilashes]

Hi Tim - I'm in the Greater Vancouver Area, on the mainland, way across from Salt Spring Island. Our weather here is very rainy and wet. it has been a long and cooler than normal winter for everyone, including here so that doesn't help. I'm wondering if the palms are rotting or something.

[TerdalFarm]

Heidi,
while it does not look "good" it still looks better than my covered but unheated Trachy. (x3).
However, all three of mine are putting up new spears. I have used a couple different fungicides on them.
We are in a "severe drought" which might be helping matters, ironically--I can water roots and not the crown.
Based on the little I know about these palms, I think you'll be fine once it warms up. --Erik

[wxman]

Its best friends right now are warmth and dry....however you can get there.

[Wes North Van]

Heidi, not sure what is going on with your palms.
All of mine are fine and it really didn't get that cold here.
Use a copper fungicide but drill a hole in the trunk so it can drain out.
You just need a small hole.
I would also keep the centre spear dry now and hope for warmer weather.
It is bound to come soon.
We have been dry the last couple of days so let's hope the rain holds off.

[hilashes]

Thanks again Tim, I'm thinking the same thing.
Erik I am hopeful for your Trachys I'm sure they'll come out so nicely. I hope the rain stays away here soon so I can keep them as dry as possible.
Thanks Wes. I am going to find a way to keep them dry...perhaps a garbage bag lightly over top and take it off when it stops? I'll see what I can do about drilling a hole...where should I drill it. I have a copper fungicide so I'll use that to pour in.

I'll keep everyone posted thanks so much!

[Wes North Van]

Drill where the fronds start in the trunk.
You can kind of feel where that is.
I used a small drill bit and drill into the trunk.

[hardyjim]

It looks fine to me.

Would like to see a close up of the other ones spear.

They should be growing now and will pull out of any damage.

[lucky1]

Yikes, Heidi, but agree it should pull out of its funk with some heat, and no more rain.

Covering against rain is a good idea, but not tightly as the lack of air circulation simply provides conditions that promote fungus.
I'd suggest even putting something like a waterproof lawn umbrella over it.
Or a couple of patio tables on each side of it, with plastic tablecloth suspended between the tables providing a "hat" for the palm.

It would be protected from rain, yet the spike is tall enough that sun can warm the ground (when sun does shine)

Friends just got back here from the Coast, he said "I have NEVER NEVER seen that much rain coming down that hard".

Good luck with the drilling...I'm too chicken to ever try that, but Wes is right.
It's gotta drain.

Barb