Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana) are common indoor palm bushes identified for his or her fabulous fronds. So, it may be upsetting when pests and ailments begin attacking your Kentia palm. On this article, I’ll take a look at ten frequent Kentia palm pests and ailments and the best way to cope with them.
10 Widespread Kentia Palm Pests and Illnesses:
1) Aphids
Aphids are small black or inexperienced bugs that feed on the sap of Kentia palms rising open air. Aphids normally congregate in massive numbers alongside stems or on the undersides of leaves.
These bugs produce sticky deposits of honeydew that may flip into sooty, black mildew. Different signs embrace distorted or stunted development.
Use horticultural oils or insecticidal cleaning soap to eradicate aphids. You too can blast your Kentia palm with a hose to dislodge massive numbers of aphids without delay.
2) Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats are annoying black or brown flies that lay their eggs in moist soils. Whereas adults received’t hurt your plant, the larvae eat roots or stems as soon as they hatch. This may stunt your Kentia palm’s development.
I sometimes use sticky traps or bottle tops stuffed with almond oil to catch grownup gnats. I take away the larvae by changing the highest few inches of soil with a mixture of coco coir and coarse sand.
3) Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, oval-shaped bugs that feed on plant sap. Mealybugs sometimes thrive within the heat, humid circumstances that Kentia palms want. The best technique to spot a mealybug infestation is to search for deposits of fluffy white wax in your palm’s stems and leaves.
Different signs of mealybug infestations embrace stunted development and deposits of honeydew or sooty black mildew. Use insecticidal cleaning soap, horticultural oils, or swabs of isopropyl alcohol to take away mealybugs.
4) Scale Bugs
Scale bugs are one other kind of sap-sucking pest that may assault Kentia palms. Scale bugs have both armored or gentle shells however are arduous to detect till they begin inflicting issues.
In case your palm is infested with scale bugs, chances are you’ll discover stunted development, drooping or yellowing leaves. Scale bugs may produce sticky deposits of honeydew that may flip into black, sooty mildew. Use insecticidal cleaning soap or horticultural oils to do away with scale bugs.
5) Spider Mites
Spider mites are small, sap-sucking arachnids that thrive in heat, dry circumstances. These pests are named after the protecting webbing that they produce to guard their eggs. This webbing is among the tell-tale indicators of a spider mite infestation.
Different signs of spider mite infestations embrace stunted development and brown or yellow mottling in your Kentia palm’s fronds. The best technique to eradicate spider mites is to make use of horticultural oils or insecticidal cleaning soap.
6) Thrips
Grownup thrips are slender, yellowish-brown bugs that eat plant sap and might fly to different crops. Younger thrips are paler in shade than the adults and don’t have wings. Thrips sometimes goal younger, susceptible leaves of your Kentia palm.
As they feed, thrips trigger leaves to grow to be discolored, creating silvery-green patches on the leaves. Stunted development is one other symptom of a thrip infestation. Use insecticidal cleaning soap, horticultural oils, or sticky traps to catch and eradicate thrips.
7) Botrytis Blight
Often known as grey mildew, botrytis blight is a fungal illness that may have an effect on Kentia palms. Fungi from the Botrytis genus trigger this illness. The primary symptom of botrytis blight is grey mildew on the leaves.
Palms contaminated with botrytis blight may have brown or misshapen leaves lined in brown spots. Botrytis blight is extra frequent in cool, humid circumstances. Take away any contaminated foliage and use natural copper fungicides to deal with botrytis blight.
8) Leaf Spot Illnesses
Leaf spot ailments are frequent fungal infections which can be normally brought on by Fusarium fungi. Contaminated Kentia palm fronds show darkish brown spots which can be ringed with yellow. The tissue throughout the spots will seem dry and papery.
As soon as a frond is contaminated with a leaf spot illness, it is not going to get well. Take away contaminated fronds on the base of the stem. You too can use natural copper fungicides to deal with leaf spot ailments.
9) Powdery Mildew
Many gardeners can be accustomed to powdery mildew. This frequent fungal illness thrives when the times are heat and the nights are chilly. Powdery mildew is known as after the powdery white patches that develop on contaminated leaves.
Different signs of powdery mildew illness embrace curling or yellowing leaves that fall off. Take away any contaminated leaves on the base of the stem and use natural copper fungicides to deal with powdery mildew.
10) Root Rot
Root rot is a fungal illness that develops in waterlogged soils that drain poorly. Root rot can be brought on by overwatering. The primary signs of root rot embrace drooping or yellowing leaves and brown, mushy, or smelly roots.
To deal with root rot, take away your Kentia palm from its pot and trim off any rotten roots. Repot your palm right into a unfastened, well-draining soil combine. I normally combine some coco coir with some perlite or coarse sand.
Pesticide and Insecticide Choices & Options
Horticultural Oils
Horticultural oils are a typical approach of coping with houseplant pests. Canola oil and neem oil (through Amazon) are two of the most typical horticultural oils. These oils work by suffocating pests like aphids and mealybugs. Nevertheless, some crops could be delicate to horticultural oils, so strive to not use them too continuously in the course of the rising season.
Insecticidal Cleaning soap
One other approach of eliminating Kentia palm pests is to make use of insecticidal cleaning soap. Like horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps work by desiccating and suffocating pests. Do this implausible insecticidal cleaning soap from Bonide. You possibly can additionally combine some dish cleaning soap and heat water to create a home made various.
Sticky Traps
Sticky traps are one other simple technique to do away with fungus gnats and different pests. These traps catch grownup fungus gnats, stopping them from laying extra eggs. You may decide up some sticky traps from homeware or backyard shops.
Fungicides
Fungicides are the simplest technique to deal with Kentia palm ailments and fungal infections. Should you can, use natural copper fungicides, resembling this one from Bonide, somewhat than artificial ones. Artificial fungicides can hurt useful soil organisms. At all times comply with the directions and really useful doses detailed on the packet.
Managing Pests and Illnesses
Whereas insecticidal cleaning soap and fungicides work properly, prevention is all the time the perfect remedy. Offering the best rising circumstances helps your Kentia palm resist ailments and pests.
Palms thrive in brilliant, oblique gentle however can tolerate some shade. Preserve Kentia palms away from direct daylight, particularly in the course of the afternoon. Water each time the highest two inches of soil really feel dry to stop overwatering and root rot.
Kentia palms require heat temperatures between 60 and 80ºF and reasonable humidity ranges between 50 and 60%. These common palm bushes can be grown open air in USDA Zones 9 to 11.
These lovely palms develop greatest in well-draining soils. I like to make use of a mixture of coco coir, houseplant potting combine, and coarse sand or perlite. Give your palm loads of area away from different crops to restrict the unfold of ailments and pests.
For extra, see our in-depth Kentia palm plant care information.
Wrapping Up
Though Kentia palms are simple to develop, they are often susceptible to pests and ailments. Widespread Kentia palm pests and ailments embrace aphids, fungus gnats, mealybugs, powdery mildew, and root rot. Deal with fungal ailments utilizing natural copper fungicides. Remove pests utilizing horticultural oils, insecticidal cleaning soap, or sticky traps.
For extra, see our in-depth information to the superb makes use of and advantages of Kentia palms.
Edd is a budding content material author and gardener dwelling in the UK. He has a bachelor’s diploma in Inventive and Skilled Writing and has written for a number of gardening publications on-line. He’s enthusiastic about nature and sustainability with a give attention to gardening and wildlife.
