Q: I heard on a radio show that royal palms can get lethal yellowing. Is that what killed my palm? M.L., South Miami

A: Fortunately, royal palms, as well as most other palms, are resistant to lethal yellowing. However, Christmas palms, all coconuts, and the true date are susceptible and often succumb to this disease.

Royal palms rarely die of disease. Usually, it's lightning, overpruning or severe nutritional deficiencies that kills them.

Occasionally phytophthora bud rot, which is a fungal disease, will attack royals. The new leaf collapses or emerges brown. Overwatering and planting too deeply increase the incidence of this disease.

SPECIMENS

For identification, send undamaged (live or dead) insects in a crush-proof container such as a pill bottle or film canister with the top taped on. Mail them in a padded envelope or box with a brief note explaining where you found the insects.

Do not tape insects to paper or place them loose in envelopes. Insect fragments or crushed insect samples are almost impossible to identify.

Cooperative extension services are in the blue pages in the phone book under county government.

Adrian Hunsberger is an entomologist/horticulturist with the UF/IFAS Miami-Dade Extension office. Write to Plant Clinic, 18710 SW 288th St., Homestead, FL 33030; e-mail aghu@ifas.ufl.edu.

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