Leaf spot is a vulnerable disease that can infect the Pygmy Palm. The disease is caused by a variety of fungi and several bacterias on the trees. Pestalotiopsis, leaf skeletonizer, scale, stigmina leaf spot, graphiola false smut are leaf spot diseases that can infect the trees.

Classic symptoms are spots and blights on foliage. The disease usually infect all parts of leaf from the base to the tip. The spots very in size and color depend on bacterias and the stage of development.

You can prevent the Pygmy Palm from leaf spot disease by raking the leaves regulary, disposing infected ones and spraying of fungicides. You can’t cure infection if it is already there, but you can prevent it from spreading.

Be very careful with overwatering the trees with sprinklers, as they become more vulnerable for bacterias in wet soil. Also the roots and lower trunk can rot if soil is kept too moist. It become a problem during long rain periods. Leaf spot disease, if it not curied, can cause fatal bud rot that is also very common among Phoenix Roebeleniis.

Bud rot is another serious disease of these trees. The first symptoms that the tree might have it when leaves start to discolor and wilt, and the tree stop to produce new leaves. Sometimes you can see only one side is wilted on the tree. Afterward the other side of the tree will wilt and die. Cure mature trees with bud rot disease is very difficult. Infected trees can remain healthy leaves for some time, even when the bud is dead. Finally the tree will die. To prevent the tree, use fungicides containing copper.

Micronutrient deficiencies (especially magnesium and potassium) are also common problems for these trees. The disorder occurs often in Florida where the soils are deficient in these nutrients. These palms require magnesium and potassium to grow well.

The problems show up the first on old leaves, they start to show nutrient deficiencies first and then it progresses up on all tree. The leaves become light green instead of dark green  or off-color. Leaflet tips can become necrotic. Infected leaves will never recover.  Potassium deficiencies can be fatal to these trees. To prevent, use a fertilizer with potasium and magnesium sulfate.

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