The MGS Forum

Gardening in mediterranean climates => Pests and diseases => Topic started by: MikeHardman on October 26, 2020, 09:47:35 PM

Title: Palm goo...
Post by: MikeHardman on October 26, 2020, 09:47:35 PM

Dear Folks,

What's wrong with this palm?
Near the base, it is oozing an orangey goo in several places. The goo dries to a black crust.
Only one tree out of 30 affected, 6m+ tall. This one tree looks weak in comparison to the others (not much foliage).
Might have been overwatered (not by me!)

//Mike

Title: Re: Palm goo...
Post by: MikeHardman on November 03, 2020, 09:36:23 PM

Photo of the whole tree, looking weedy

Title: Re: Palm goo...
Post by: David Dickinson on November 04, 2020, 01:21:11 AM

Hi Mike

Is it some kind of slime mold? I don't know if it grows on living tissue. It just reminds me of things I saw when I was a kid and a member of the local naturalist society in Leeds.

Title: Re: Palm goo...
Post by: MikeHardman on November 04, 2020, 11:10:44 AM

Thanks David,
It is definitely slimy, but I don't think it is slime mould.
I wonder if it is just palm sap, exuding through damage (eg. palm weevil borings?)
I saw a similar slime issuing in greater volume from the stump of a palm that had been felled.
I guess, there's a good chance, if it is basically sap, that it could be infected by bacteria/fungi/etc. post-effusion (ie. not a primary cause), which could confuse matters.