King Sago Palm Tree suffering

[David Simpson]

New to houseplant keeping and having bought two palm trees, I did not remove the browning leaves on one of them and so it has acquired more dying leaves. That plant (in the same location as the other apparently healthy plant) is now weeping resin drops from all leaves. I have trimmed off the brown leaves but wonder what else I ought to do to rescue it.

 

[DrCase]

Palms like good drainage.
When I trim any palm I start cutting the lower fronds and go up and just leave a pony tail on top.
Late spring if you can get it out side it should put on all new growth and you can cut all the old fronds off

 

[Beth_B]

Can you post a photo? Your description of "weeping resin drops" makes me wonder if it's some type of pest, or fungal infection perhaps.

 

[David Simpson]

Beth, I've found on proper inspection (specs on) that the plant is heavily infested by small brown bugs. Thankfully the other palm, just two feet away, looks free of them. I've removed the infested one. I assume the plant came with the larvae already in the roots.

 

[David Simpson]

they look like ladybirds (ladybugs)

 

[Beth_B]

Huh...I'm no pest expert. Could well be solved by spaying and wiping the plant thoroughly with mild soapy water, though I'd keep it away from other plants in the meantime. For some types of bugs adding a little cooking oil to the water helps kill them off.

Might the place you bought them from be of any help? They probably ought to know if they're selling bug-infested houseplants!

 

[David Simpson]

Thanks Beth. I will tell them.