How long does it take to treat palm scales?

[BBBTree]

Just wondering. The HO has 5 fan palms with the scales, and before I offer some help with them, should try to find out how much time is involved. Thanks

 

[jomoco]

Before I begin ignoring your threads, I want to tell you why BB.

Your inability to state what species of tree/palm you're asking questions about? Your inability to provide any pics. Your inability to use Google before asking rank amateur questions almost impossible to answer without further detailed info being coaxed out of you.

There is no cure or treatment for diamond scale on wash filiferas, the only palm I know of in this area of SoCal that's chronically infected by this fungus almost invariably.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74148.html


Put down the bong and get serious about your work, and your own professional image.

You get serious, and I'll try and help you rather than ignore you.

jomoco

 

[BBBTree]

I see what you're saying. I was trying to start the conversation. I did a bunch of research on google, and I found that web page you posted too. Nothing on image though


What I assumed were all 5 robustas may be a hybrid of robusta and filfera based on what I've read. These had definite thorns on the fronds, but they were not as extremely pronounced like the robusta thorns. They were definitely more pronounced than any filferas I've climbed, so I assumed they were robustas. Now I'm assuming hybrid.

One of these 5 trees definitely has diamond scale. That I knew as soon as I climbed the tree. What I don't know is if spikes and saws can contaminate other trees.

I also noticed that the other 4 palms didn't have diamond scales, but the inflorescence is totally eaten and dead before blooming. In the inflorescence I found a larvae about the length of the diameter of a dime, and I found tiny black egg galleries accompanied by tiny, 6 legged, grey/blue insects.

My guess at the moment is moths are eating the inflorescence. I've read the Paysandisia Archon eats washingtonia fruit, but their larvae is as big as a spark plug socket. So, I'm doubt that's what is eating these.

 

[BBBTree]

Here's a pic of the hollowed out florescence. Have you ever seen that, Jomoco?

 

[jomoco]

A pic at last!

Yes, that's very common, and not detrimental to the tree. Most likely rats, which are very common in robustas.

Takes a lot to kill a robusta.

I think you're right about the one with scale being a hybrid with a little filifera in it.

Biggest mistake with all palms is when you prune the live green fronds over horizontal. Taking all the fruit out above horizontal is cool, if done with precision and not nicking any fronds.

Best way to do robusta heads is with a razor sharp carpet knife. Grab and bend with one hand, then knife it with the other. Keeps you light in the tree, and no breathing of carbon monoxide.

Peeling palms is one of the physically most exhausting parts of this biz, with a knife in each hand.

Good luck with your hybrid robusta BB.

jomoco

 

[BBBTree]

Thanks

We pealed two of these ones. I finally got down the trick; a box knife in each hand. I'll tell you what is better on top of that. Go to the top, and put in a DRT, or just put in a pulley and DRT above the point where the fronds start to fall off the tree. Rappel back down to the bottom, and start pealing. Then work your way up off of the DRT. This actually turns into the easy work in the business IMO.

I like the light weight of the box knife to prune the palm heads. I have to try that.


Thanks, bud.