Root Rot

[EarthEssentials]

I have a huge pineapple palm in my yard. It's about 15 years old. Well recently it has statrted to look a little sick. So we started doing research on what could be ailing it. Come to find out it has root rot. I'm not sure how it got it. It is in a remote corner of the yard. No one bohters it except when we trim it once a year. In researching root rot, most people and sites are saying that it is a loosing battle and that it will eventually die. Does anyone know of a way to get rid of root rot? The palm is HUGE and beautiful. It houses several gecos and other creepy crawly critters. I hate that it is dieing. If I can save it I would really like to.

[Unkle_John]

I would say stop watering it. Over watering is the biggest problem with root rot.
I know you can by chemicals at nurseries that will help boost the plant's roots, but I don't know how organic they are. Do a search on the google and see what you find (I would avoid the Tasmanian websites, they just mention the disease being spread by human feet)

[EarthEssentials]

I would say stop watering it. Over watering is the biggest problem with root rot.
I know you can by chemicals at nurseries that will help boost the plant's roots, but I don't know how organic they are. Do a search on the google and see what you find (I would avoid the Tasmanian websites, they just mention the disease being spread by human feet)

We don't water it. It gets it's water from the sky :) . I'll keep looking I don't want to put any harmful chemicals in the ground so it'll be a tough search. Thanks!

[Unkle_John]

Good Luck!

Say, you should try this guy, my dad and I listen to him on the radio (and we own a few books from him):

www.neilsperry.com

He's a Texas based horticulturist, but he knows about all plants in all zones.

[EarthEssentials]

Cool. I'll def look into it.

[hedgewitch]

You want to get a garden fork and stick it in the ground all round the base of the palm, try loosening up that dirt and let some oxygen penetrate the roots.
A stick might be even better as it will get down further.

Poor Palm - I really hope she survives.

[EarthEssentials]

I'll try it. I love the palm. It's always just been there. We never have to do anything to it except trim it. We did get a lot of rain this year. I wonder if it got too much water that way? I hope it makes it. It's like a mini eco system. So much stuff lives in it.

[PEACE FROG]

I don't have any advice for you. But I sure hope that your tree pulls though. I lost a palm this winter to a cold snap. :mad: I had that tree for years.
Blessings
Peace Frog

[Hippie Staff]

Sounds like the soil is not sandy enough. Is it possible to dig a little trench around it, w/out hurting the direct root structure, and put sand around it? It may help w/ drainage - maybe it'll pull out.


Good luck! palms rule.

[hedgewitch]

Excellent suggestion Hippie Staff!

[EarthEssentials]

Sounds like the soil is not sandy enough. Is it possible to dig a little trench around it, w/out hurting the direct root structure, and put sand around it? It may help w/ drainage - maybe it'll pull out.


Good luck! palms rule.

I'll try it. I live in FL most of our dirt is sand but at this point I'll try anything. Thanks guys!