Treating palm leaking sap

[Tracy]

While pulling weeds this weekend, I noticed a glossy material at the base of my Dypsis prestoniana.  Heavy and persistent rains had saturated the ground around it while mulch with a top coat of bark had obscured the saps accumulation.  It seems to be coming from just above the petiole base, of the lowest leaf.  The weight of the leaf has gradually caused the boot of the petiole to partially peel back from the trunk of the palm.  The palm is otherwise quite healthy, and has continued growing right through winter, albeit at a slower pace than it grows in the warmer months.  My first thought was to spray some copper sulfate (Liquid Copper Fungicide solution) where it would drip down to where the source of the sap is.  I can't see the source of the sap, except to know that is obscured by the boot of the petiole.  Anyone experienced something like this and/or have additional treatment advice, other than periodically using the copper sulfate and monitoring it? 

Photos are after I treated, and you can see a little bit of the shiny sap where it has leaked down.  The blue in the soil, is from the Luiqid Copper Fungicide, which has drained down after I sprayed enough above to allow it to leak down behind the petiole base.  The location of the sap is not the source, it has drained down to that point.  I don't normally like shadows in photos either, but thought it was an easy way to show scale.

[DoomsDave]

That is a beautiful beast!

Keep us apprised of its growth over the years!

[BS Man about Palms]

Not sure how true, but I was told years ago if a plant, or in particular a cycad oozes sap during heavy rains its a "not to worry" type thing. It tells you the plant is uptaking so much moisture it looks for places to come out. I personally wouldn't worry too much and keep on your plan to let that leaf base come off naturally.

 

[Jamesasb]

• I had this before, it did create solid sap after a while which sealed the leak. I did nothing just to see what would happen
•  
• Also, I'd expect it to be leaking from underneath the oldest leaf base. If that is the case like mine was  it will eventually die naturally and fall away.  

Edited January 30, 2017 by Jamesasb

[Tracy]

2 hours ago, BS Man about Palms said:

Not sure how true, but I was told years ago if a plant, or in particular a cycad oozes sap during heavy rains its a "not to worry" type thing.

I have heard the same thing about cycads and experienced it with a couple of them.  There is an Encephalartos turneri just behind this Dypsis prestoniana which has been oozing sap for a couple of weeks now, and I wasn't really worried about it.  I was more worried about the sap oozing from a palm, as it seems likely to be an avenue for infection to enter the plant.  At this size, I don't want to lose it!  Definitely planning to leave that leaf base on until it falls off.  If the leaflets start turning brown, I may cut the frond back to the top of the petiole (not the bottom), just so it doesn't drop on another plant (a nice blue E princeps).  You can see it would fall right on top of it in this photo.

[DoomsDave]

1 hour ago, Jamesasb said:

• 8 minutes ago, Tracy said:

  I have heard the same thing about cycads and experienced it with a couple of them.  There is an Encephalartos turneri just behind this Dypsis prestoniana which has been oozing sap for a couple of weeks now, and I wasn't really worried about it.  I was more worried about the sap oozing from a palm, as it seems likely to be an avenue for infection to enter the plant.  At this size, I don't want to lose it!  Definitely planning to leave that leaf base on until it falls off.  If the leaflets start turning brown, I may cut the frond back to the top of the petiole (not the bottom), just so it doesn't drop on another plant (a nice blue E princeps).  You can see it would fall right on top of it in this photo.

  I had this before, it did create solid sap after a while which sealed the leak. I did nothing just to see what would happen
•  
• Also, I'd expect it to be leaking from underneath the oldest leaf base. If that is the case like mine was  it will eventually die naturally and fall away.  

With a daddy like you, that palm will be fine.

I've had many leak in their time. It's important to look and see why, but sometimes they just leak (like we all do).

[Tracy]

5 hours ago, DoomsDave said:

I've had many leak in their time. It's important to look and see why, but sometimes they just leak (like we all do).

Thanks Dave, I'm feeling better hearing that.  I'm getting the same response from a number of seasoned palm growers, the fungicide won't hurt, just be patient, and don't panic.  Besides panic can cause a very bad leak, one you don't want to have in a public place!

[Jimhardy]

Sometimes if you get a lot of rain like you mentioned

the base/trunk can swell and sever the the connection....

you see this a lot with banana plants (after heavy rain)

with the lower leaf bases.

[Rich in Laguna]

My King Palms 12inch diameter base was accidentally slashed by my gardeners chainsaw to a depth of 3/4 inch deep 4 months ago. I was very concerned that rot might set in as palm trunks are not known for healing over wounds so 4 months ago I sprayed the wound with Dr. Earth Final Stop Disease Control Fungicide (Main ingredients: Rosemary Oil, Clove Oil, Peppermint Oil)

Today I saw the wound has clear jelly oozing out. 

I've read the other comments on this subject and am thinking the last 10days of rain triggered the oozing?

Is there anything I should  do to make sure it recovers?

I do not want to lose this specimen palm.

I am in Southern California.