Hemp palms are quite robust plants. Nevertheless, especially in the winter months, the plant can be attacked by pests or various diseases.
Hemp palms are very popular plants. They thrive just as well indoors as they do outdoors. You can plant the hemp palm both outdoors and in buckets. However, the latter has the disadvantage that it can happen during the winter that the plant is attacked by pests. The reason for this is the less than ideal conditions.
If you react quickly in such a case, you can still save your hemp palm. Here you will find a small overview of which pests and diseases can attack the hemp palm, how to recognize them and how to fight them properly.
The most common diseases & pests at a glance
» Red Spiders
➜ Detect
An infestation by red spiders is indicated by yellowish to whitish discolored leaves and fine webs on the underside of the leaves. The arachnids themselves are difficult to see with the naked eye because of their small size of less than half a millimeter. If the pests reproduce unhindered, the plant will gradually lose its leaves and eventually die.
➜ Fight
Red spiders like dry air and don't tolerate moisture very well. Ordinary water therefore works well as a control agent. Place your hemp palm in the bath or shower and rinse the plant thoroughly. Make sure that the jets of water reach all parts of the palm and pay particular attention to the underside of the leaves. Cover the tub with plastic wrap during the shower process to prevent moisture damage to the roots.
In the near future, mist the hemp palm regularly with water. The easiest way to do this is with a spray bottle. The palm must always have enough time to dry off, otherwise there is a risk of fungal attack.
If fogging is unsuccessful, the only option is to use sprays. It is important to carry out the treatment continuously for six weeks. In the event of early terminationthere is a risk that a few eggs will survive, which are quite sufficient as a stock for the next generation of red spiders.
» sooty mold
➜ Detect
If a black, often star-shaped layer appears on the leaves of the hemp palm, the harmful fungus sooty mold is probably responsible. The coating inhibits photosynthesis in the leaves, but is not life-threatening for the palm and is easy to remove.
➜ Fight
Simply wipe off the blackish layer with a water-vinegar solution or remove the affected leaves. However, you must then eliminate the cause of the infestation, which usually consists of aphids or other lice colonizing the palm tree.
» Aphids
➜ Detect
Aphids leave excrement on the leaves of the hemp palm, which is clearly visible as sticky honeydew. This honeydew serves as a food source for sooty mold and other harmful fungi. Other symptoms are stunted shoot tips and curled and yellowed leaves. Depending on the species, the aphids are between three and seven millimeters long and are usually green, but can also be black, brown, gray or yellow.
➜ Fight
As an immediate measure, a complete shower of the hemp palm is recommended. Set the shower head to medium jets. In the following weeks you should regularly spray the plant with a mild soapy solution and, as a supplementary measure, wipe the palm fronds with a damp sponge.