sad day today... :/

13 years ago

Well both of my coco's are now officially dead.... I have up rooted them for the most part and threw them in a plastic bag and off to the garbage they go. :/

What should I do with the soil and containers? I'm sure both palms were infected with some kind of fungus but the roots seemed fine. Actually for the most part they were still alive and really strong. On both palms even the one outside. So obviously no root rot lol.

It makes me sad having to throw away my oldest coco. it was doing so well up until I bought the infected palms. All the fronds have pretty much died already. And anything that has some life is half dead and it wont be long before its completely dead.... All the stems died first on the remaining fronds. Weird. But When I cut it back hoping the spear might still be alive I found a white fungus deep inside on the stems. I did see some alive parts from either the spear or the newest frond that never did fully open but even so it was so far down in the trunk I do not think it would have survived. Especially because it had brown spouts on it as well :/ The roots are just fine and strong. Only other thing is how easily the shell popped off. And in the shell and roots it was infested with a nest of ants.

Anyway not sure when but probably the next time I see a coconut palm or when it warms up I am going to buy another. One last try until I can build a green house. But before I buy what variety do you guys think will do best in a dry climate and is most cool tolerant? So far a tall if I can find one sounds the best. Anyway what fungicide works the best? I have yet to find copper. If whatever it was that killed my coco's returns I want to be able to combat it. One last question, if this is only a fungal problem for palms how long can it last with out a host? I'm kinda worried the spores can survive longer than I want...

On a good note... I did see a few lady bugs and bees out so warm weather shouldn't be too far.

Thanks,

-US_Marine

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Comments (6)

Bob_in_AZ__Z9
13 years ago
Hi. Sorry for your loss. You had put a lot of time and care
into those palms too. Might I suggest you try some of the Parajubaea species. They look a lot like a coco but are hardier and support a bigger range of growing conditions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Parajubaea Images
tropicalzone7
13 years ago
Sorry to hear your cocos didn't make it. It's always sad to lose a plant especially one that you have put so much time into growing over the years. I definitely think you should look for a tall variety, they grow faster (which is a bad thing when you have to keep them in pots!) but they do better in pots and in climates that coconut palms aren't as suitable for.
Good luck! You should be getting warm weather soon since my forecast is looking freezing cold (as long as it doesnt get colder than forecasted my plants should be okay though!).
-Alex
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3.2Whites
13 years ago
Very sorry for the loss, and best wishes for when you try again, US Marine. I could be wrong and it's okay to correct my wondering, but the white fungus makes me think....mealybug-nest or some-other-look-a-like-scale-type fuzzy whitebug-nest...or maybe even whitefly-nest...that live deep inside the stems....rotten little bugs that appear as a fungus of white stuff. Those ants may have been farming the white stuff and slurping up the honeydew (bug poop) before it resulted into sooty-mold (product of bug poop).

About the old potting mix, let it dry out completely and compost it....and/or if there is a hesitate feeling then recycle it into the lawn by scattering small handfuls tossing far and wide with a skipping stone gesture.

There's another palm that might interest you that is not as temperamental as a coconut palm. It's called a Licury (another way to spell it: Licuri) palm. It has edible nuts like the coconut, and I've heard it tastes like it, too. The Licury or Licuri (Syagrus coronata) is more cold hardy and more drought tolerant, and pretty sure won't get as giant, but looks every bit as tropical. It also sports a super duper way cool trunk, and is Lethal Yellow resistant. I sure hope the link thingy works again for me so you can have a look:

Here is a link that might be useful: Syagrus coronata
3.2Whites
13 years ago
Almost forgot to say: save your containers for your next try, and if you are worried that they're contaminated or something just scrub 'em out with a weakened bleach and water solution----like how it's done for a baby's toy---rinse well, and let air dry.

Not saying that you might, but just offering words of encouragement, don't give up on tropical looking palms if that's what you're wanting...it's a worthy want...lol....in my humble opinion. :o)

The other day I heard a blurb on tv that caught my attention, but I can't recall the name of show, it was about George Washington, and so just gonna paraphrase: doing things well takes experience and when things aren't going well, that's how you get experience. lol. Something like that. Just saying I've lost palms too....trying to say it this way helps me ease the pain of loss.
3.2Whites
13 years ago
Side note: Dang it, I do not know how to make my zone prompter location indicator dealy information stay permanent. Sigh. I live on the East coast side of central Florida. End side note.
chadec
13 years ago
Sorry about your coco's. I know you were nuts about those. I wouldn't stop trying to grow one. Just not outside. Good luck with your next one, and keep us posted.