2010 Wodyetia Bifurcata Foxtail palm Speckled stem?

hasty22 · Post by **hasty22** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:24 pm

I have a foxtail palm that was grown from seed in 2010. I noticed the stem is speckled and a little bit of a white powdery looking stuff at 1/4 way up stem. was not sure if this is normal or there is something I should do. Any advice would be appreciated.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:06 am

Keith, here's a good description of Tomentum:

http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Tomentum

But the tiny white dot MIGHT be a mealy bug...just use a Q-tip tipped in rubbing alcohol to remove any you see (usually underneath).

And the lack of good colour on the leaves = needs fertillizer with a 3-1-3 ratio (make sure it has MANGANESE, not just MAGNESIUM).

Barb

hasty22 · Post by **hasty22** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 7:06 pm

thanks barb. I went out to art knapp this week and got some palm and tropical fertilizer it is 9-3-9+ micros , it is the same ratio as you had said and it has manganese like you said. gave most of my plants a sprinkle, since it has been awhile. I was more concerned about the speckled stem if that is normal or not . thanks again.
Keith

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:11 am

gave most of my plants a sprinkle, since it has been awhile.

I meant to say apply fertilizer ONLY to your NEW palms that will be indoors in a warm house for winter.
The Wodyetia leaves showed it was low on nutrients.

Outdoor palms that you'll protect outside shouldn't be fertilized this time of year.
if anything, only some Potassium (K), that helps them survive cold a bit better.

Barb

hasty22 · Post by **hasty22** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:08 pm

No Barb I did not fertilize any outside plants. thanks
Keith

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:09 pm

Oh thank goodness, Keith!

earth mother signing out now...