Northwest Palms

Copper Fungicide Day

All outdoor palms got their pre-winter dose of copper fungicide today. Hopefully it was a waste of time. Next dose will be after a lengthy freeze.

The following thread was started by Boyd from North Van on November 01, 2009 at 7:47 pm PST

Boyd, you use this as a preventative method and not just as a recovery method after speapull? Do we know if it works to prevent spearpull or damage?

The above followup was added by BryceOlyWa on November 01, 2009 at 8:51 pm PST.

I can't guarantee that it works, but last year every palm in my garden had spearpull and they all recovered (slowly) except two (one butia, one trachy). My theory is that in the PNW we tend to have cold/warm snaps and that the freeze damage during the cold periods is then attacked by fungus during the warm periods. The copper fungicide does not help prevent freeze damage but I am hoping that in minimizes fungal damage so that if I have to pull the pear and then dose again that the chance of recovery is optimized.

The above followup was added by Boyd from North Van on November 02, 2009 at 6:24 am PST.

Something new learned. Sounds like you've had a chance to see your method work first hand. I havent experienced spear pull yet but will keep the pre-winter fungicide method in mind.

The above followup was added by BryceOlyWa on November 02, 2009 at 10:40 pm PST.