Whatβs wrong with my palm?
It looks like it might have a disease - turning yellow and some parts have a white layer on it. Any ideas? #palm #help
7β pot
Last watered 2 years ago
11
@EpitomePaleflax it looks like it has a fungus infection or white mold. These causes leaves to turn yellow, and the white powdery stuff on the leaves is mold or fungus. I suggest you spray with an organic pesticide or DIY combination of half tbsp of baking soda, half tbsp of liquid soap and a gallon of water. Pour mixture in a spray bottle and coat the plant thoroughly. I would also separate her from the rest of your plants. Apple cider vinegar and water mixture also works.
Well, the good news (or bad if you're not a fan of it aesthetically) is that the white layer thing naturally occurs in Pygmy Date Palms, so you can cross that off as a problem. Is the yellowing happening towards the top fronds (leaves), the bottom, or all over the tree? Towards the bottom means it's just going through your typical growth cycle. However, for the other two, I've added some websites I've found about the situation. I'm leaning more toward nutrient deficiency.
https://www.florida-palm-trees.com/palm-leaves-turning-brown-yellow-or-drooping/
https://www.florida-palm-trees.com/palm-trees-nutrition/
https://www.florida-palm-trees.com/palm-leaves-turning-brown-yellow-or-drooping/
https://www.florida-palm-trees.com/palm-trees-nutrition/
Thanks @Seedstarter - how can I be sure itβs not mites? The yellowing is happening towards the bottom, mostly on one βbranchβ.
How to tell if your palm has scurf?
Scurf is the presence of waxy white spots that develop on young leaves. The best way to tell if the spots are scurf is by noticing if they are occurring on old leaves as well as young leaves.
If the spots are appearing on older leaves, the white spots are not scurf.
https://plantophiles.com/plant-care/white-spots-on-palm-leaves #Why_are_there_white_spots_on_my_palm_leaves
Scurf is the presence of waxy white spots that develop on young leaves. The best way to tell if the spots are scurf is by noticing if they are occurring on old leaves as well as young leaves.
If the spots are appearing on older leaves, the white spots are not scurf.
https://plantophiles.com/plant-care/white-spots-on-palm-leaves #Why_are_there_white_spots_on_my_palm_leaves
Oof, now that I can see the whole picture, I don't think this is Scurf; the white stuff is also on the base of the palm, from the look of it. I think you might have mealybugs. However, just to be sure, see if you have anything you can use to scrap at the White stuff. If it comes off, it's mealybugs.
@Seedstarter thank you so much for your help!!