The Madagascar palm is a very robust and easy-care succulent that is rarely attacked by diseases. Pests such as scale insects are more likely to occur and cause lasting damage to the plant. How to prevent diseases and control pests.

If the trunk becomes soft, the Madagascar palm has been watered too much

Diseases caused by too much wet and cold

A Madagascar palm only suffers from diseases if you water it too often or if the location is too cool. The succulent does not tolerate waterlogging at all. It also does not tolerate too cool soil temperatures.

Do not water Madagascar palms too frequently, nor too heavily. The root ball should be slightly moist inside, the rest of the substrate should be dry.

If the leaves have discolored due to wet and cold weather or if the trunk has even become soft, there may be trunk rot. Pot the madagascar palm in fresh substrate and do not water it for a long time.

Detect scale insect pest infestation

Scale insects are noticeable by sticky coatings on the leaves. Sometimes the leaves are also stunted or turn black.

How to treat pests on the madagascar palm

Wipe the lice with a soft cloth. If the plant is not too big, you can spray it with a shower for a short time. But let them dry well afterwards.

Treat the leaves and trunk with commercially available sprays. Sometimes it helps if you rub oil on the affected areas to deprive the lice of oxygen.

The madagascar palm is losing leaves

Loss of leaves is not necessarily indicative of disease. The plant sheds its leaves towards the end of the growth phase, so this is a normal process.

Prevent diseases and pests

  • Do not keep root balls too moist
  • use water-permeable substrate
  • don't keep too cool in winter
  • regularly check for diseases

You can prevent diseases and pests on the Madagascar palm well. It is important that the plant is never kept too wet. It also doesn't need high humidity. The ambient temperature, especially in winter, should be high enough.

Examine the leaves regularly for pests in order to be able to identify and treat an infestation immediately.

tips

If the Madagascar palm is attacked by pests during its stay in summer, it is advisable to use natural enemies of the scale insects. These include ladybugs and lacewings.

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Trees