Wherever you look at the South Florida landscape, you are bound to see a variety of beautiful palm trees that provide the tropical look the region is known for. But protecting these breathtaking trees from pests is important to maintaining the health of the plants and the beauty of the South Florida scenery.
One disease known for attacking palms in South Florida is lethal yellowing. This fatal disease is caused by a phytoplasma, which is basically a microscopic organism that isn’t quite as complex as a bacteria but that can still inflict a lot of damage. Insects called “planthopppers” carry this organism from tree to tree, which spreads the disease around. You may be curious as to why you don’t hear about lethal yellowing in certain areas of the country and during certain seasons; that is because these planthopper insects cannot survive cold temperatures, making South Florida’s warm climate ideal.
Date palms and Coconut palms are two palm species that can be affected by lethal yellowing, but are certainly not the only species affected. Once a palm is infected, it will typically go through these three stages:
· Nuts will fall prematurely from the tree in the first stage, leaving behind a black or brown area where they were attached to the palm.
· Next, the male flowers will begin to have their tips blacken, forbidding the tree from setting fruit.
· In the last stage, the fronds will turn yellow, hence where the disease gets its name.
If you believe your palms are experiencing lethal yellowing, Pride Fertilization can help you determine if there is in fact disease occurring. We can also help you discover native varieties of palms that are resistant to these microorganisms. Call us today to learn more and set up an appointment.
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