bud rot in bismarck

[michigan steve]

I have a bismarck that i recieved as i gift from thr inlaws, actually they brought back 2 a sabal palmeto and the bismarck they both have gotten rot the palmeto has root rot and the bismarck bud rot. I remember reading some posts way back and a way to try abd save from bad bud rot was to cut off the top till you see live tissue. I have cut about 3inches off and have not seen green yet.

Here is what im looking at

Any comments or suggestions appreciated

[Pando]

[michigan steve]

Well that sucks, i take it i should be seeing green. I didnt think it was that bad the old fronds were still fine.

[Jim in Los Altos]

Well that sucks, i take it i should be seeing green. I didnt think it was that bad the old fronds were still fine.

The growing point of a palm can be dead and the remaining leaves can still be alive until they eventually die off one by one from old age.

[BS Man about Palms]

Well that sucks, i take it i should be seeing green. I didnt think it was that bad the old fronds were still fine.

The growing point of a palm can be dead and the remaining leaves can still be alive until they eventually die off one by one from old age.

Yeah Jim, I hate that part. Its one the parts of this hobby that give me false hope.

[michigan steve]

I got the tree in april, really surprises me that it would be that dead, unless it got to cold during transport

[Kris]

It seems to be dead.

I want to say one thing here is that most in our forum have the habit of showering the palms crown with a water jet or hose.

Added with the cool climate most palms die in this same fashion.

Year after year. Most do the same mistake.there is no substitute for rain water. Do not create a pseudo rainfall effect using a water hose.

It will result in palms catching infections...

[michigan steve]

3 days after i cut it, is this growth or just the trunk shrinking from cuting

[Stevetoad]

looks like growth to me! good work

[PalmatierMeg]

Definitely growth so don't give up on it. I've cut through the trunks of several Coccothrinax that had rot and they all resumed growing. One other point: the tissue you first uncover inside the stem will be whitish but not green. You can't have green tissue without light. After the plant tissue starts growing into the light it will turn green. Your Bizzie will put its resources into sending up a new leaf ASAP. Another tip: after cutting through the trunk treat the exposed wound with hydrogen peroxide to help kill/ward off microbes. Try not to water from above. Good luck.

[Cedric]

Yes this looks like growth to me! Will it live 50/50 and depending on who you ask.

I think this action of cutting a palms crown in half is quite dramatic, very invasive obviously but it can also reduce its chances. Michigan aside this is also an open invitation especially on a large scale to every weevil in the state to come calling.

You say the outer leaves were still healthy before you cut? Well these things do hold onto their leaves for a long time normally, they aren't rampant shedding palms and can actually recover quite well from losing a spear or even two from damping off. In fact it can be an annual occurrence and still manage to creep forward and survive until its big and strong enough to cope. A dry spell is usually enough but some people use a bleach dilution as well. I feel this wait and bleach should be tried first before cutting its neck through because you lose the "green" leaves in the process reducing its chances considerably. In this case as its a Bismarckia chances are those leaves wouldn't have died in fact.

Next time

[michigan steve]

Thanks for the encouraging words and the extra knowledge this is me third season of growing palms. All my other palms are doing very well. I even had some trachy seedlings survive -20 with protection.

Here are some of my palms, kinda dark so hope they turn out.

[Cedric]

Wow they look sooooooooo healthy! Well done.

[michigan steve]

Thanks , its been a challenge but well worth it, since i no longer live in florida i wanted to keep a little of it with me in michigan. If it wasnt for 5his site and the people willing to help me it wojldnt have been possibe.