Question
QUESTION: Hi Kathy,
I have two large Queen Palms in pots. We just transplanted them and fertilized with an 18-6-12 commercial fertilizer. I noticed that there is a white and salmon colored (two types, not mixed with each other)substance on the palm stems. After doing some research, I think it is called 'scurf'. The palms seem to be healthy but I also noticed spotting on the fronds and one of the new fronds emerged yellow.
What do I really have on these palms and what can I do about it?
Thank you,
June

ANSWER: Hi June,

The natural course of leaves on plants, including palms and cycads, is first green, then turning yellow, and finally brown and dry

The yellow stage is where the frond is losing its chlorophyll as it is being re-absorbed into the plant. The final brown stage is the completion of the nutrients re-absorption process

So... if you cut off sago fronds too soon, you are actually depriving your sago palm of its natural technique to conserve nutrients.  Best is to wait until a frond is totally brown and shriveled up small

The exception to not being worried about yellow or brown fronds on your sago palm is if they are occurring in the center "new growth" area

If new fronds soon turn yellow and head for brown, you have a nutrition problem.  You are not feeding properly. Sometimes a sago may take a year or two or more to develop the "quick yellowing" symptom. Don't let that fool you. Food is the answer

Your sago  may have  what is commonly referred to as Asian Cycad Scale.  It is very common unfortunately on the Sago especially.  There is no known cure for this and the University of Florida is currently doing many studies on the proper treatment.  

One of the products Dr. Robert Stamps is testing with is called Atomic Grow.  It is a foliar spray and will dehydrate the scale immediately.  Atomic Grow is a non-toxic product and works very very well on scale of all kinds.   As it dehydrates the insects it loosens their ability to adhere to the plant.  They can literally be washed off with a gentle pressure.  At the same time Atomic Grow has a stimulating effect on the Sago and will actually increase the growth rate.  I have personally used this product in many commercial landscaping applications and it is simply fascinating.  It is also non selective so you can use it on your other plants as well.  There is also another disease going around that they felt there may not be sago alive.  However, we feel that Atomic Grow restores the health of the plant from poison and fertilizer abuse.
it will clean the plant and allow healing to take place.  Being organic you will never have to go back to poison products for any of your plant problems.   kathy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Kathy,
I didn't ask you about sago palms. I asked you about scurf on QUEEN PALMS!!!
June

ANSWER: Hi June, There is a queen and a king sago palm  The Queen Sago (Cycas circinalis) is not really a true palm even though you would not think so by looking at it. It is in reality a "cycad" and a close relative of the Cycas Revoluta which is a common house plant. This "pseudo-palm" also goes by the name "fern palm". It is sometimes confused with the true Sago Palm (Metroxylon sagu).

Botanical names really help so you get the correct plant.  Is this the one which is usually used for a house plant or have they sold you something else? Or is it Queen Palm or Cocos plumosa, Syagrus romanzoffiana.  No matter which one I would still tell you to use the same product to bring your plant back to health.  It is hard to grow things in the home.  Maybe from time to time you could also set it out in some nice rain to help it.   kathy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Okay Kathy,
I understand about keeping plants healthy. Honestly, I do. I own a small plant nursery but am still on a learning curve. The problem I am having here is that I asked you specifically about 'scurf' on queen palms. I never mentioned 'sago' at all. I don't understand how you could get 'queen palm' and 'queen sago' confused! I also revealed to you that I have just transplanted and fertilized the queen's, Syagrus romanzoffiana, so the need for this product that you are pushing through this forum is currently unnecessary. I did not ask you about anything other than 'scurf'. What is it? What can I do to get it off of my plants? Like, will baby shampoo and oil mixed with water work? Should I add baking soda? What?
I also sent you a question about my personal bamboo which is planted in my side yard. You sent me the exact same response: "Use Atomic Grow"! When someone is having a problem with diseases on plants, they want to know what to do, whether organic or not. For example, I called a local bamboo grower about the pink bugs that are invading my bamboo. She told me it was systemic and that using coffee grounds would work (if I had enough of them) and she also recommended something that I could go and buy at the local Home Depot or Lowe's stores for a quick fix. She also told me what to do to prevent it from spreading to the other bamboo.
My question for you is this... are you getting a kick back from Atomic Grow?
I am afraid that I will not be using you for anymore questions on the forum. I'll stick the local experts in my area rather than waste my time asking questions that never really get answered.

Answer
Hi June,  Sorry you are getting upset over this, as I am only trying to help.  I have a 20 acre nursery and grow over 53 kinds of bamboo on my property and have never heard of coffee grinds to fix a bug problem.  I use Atomic Grow which keeps the bugs off of everything.  If I talk about it a lot it is because it works.  Oil sprays kill beneficial bugs as well as pests.  

I also, asked for the botanical name to make sure that we were talking about the same plant.  Scurf which I have never heard of and looked it up seems to be what we call sooty mold.  Atomic grow will clean off your plant and make it healthy so it does not come back.  An oil based pesticide you will have to keep re applying after every rain or if you water with sprinkles as it washes off.  Atomic Grow absorbs into the plant so you do not have to re apply after rain.  Also, this is not a quick fix,  I have plants growing at the nursery that are described as scrappy and since I have been using this product the leaves are lush and beautiful and I would not call it scrappy anymore.  Atomic grow helps to release ferlitizers that may be bound up inside the plant causing it not to work.  Once that happens the plant begins to take up the nutrients it is meant to have and bring your plant back to health.  I also spray it on my plants that are healthy to make them even more beautiful than I have ever seen.  My butterflies (23 different kinds) are flying around the nursery to suck on the flowers that are sweeter than every.  

A lady wrote an asked about a gardenia she was growing and sent me a picture and is was not a gardenia, again when I ask questions it is to help you find the answers that you are not finding elsewhere.  Also, the area that you live in helps as different bugs visit different areas of the country.  I am not paid for answering the questions I receive an have answered over 1000, all I can do is my best.  Happy Gardening and hope this answers your questions:) kathy