Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jan 01, 2010 9:21 pm I have recently noticed some dark spots on the foliage of my grass tree. The tree has grown well in the 12 months or so that we have had it; obviously the trunk has not grown much but the grass spears certainly have. We planted it under instruction, such as mounding it up, keeping its provided soil intact, feeding it with the appropriate germ, it is located in full sun etc. Here is a pic. Any clues to the spots? They do not rub or scrape off: Geoff - Decophile. Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 2Jan 04, 2010 9:25 am Xanthorrhoea species are especially susceptible to a disease called Phytophthora cinnamomi or root rot. This makes the leaves turn yellow and basically rots the whole trunk to a point it will collapse. The disease is spread through soil and water. If you have yellowing on the surrounding leaves I'd look at this as a possibility, but unfortunately I don't think there is any cure for it - only trying to stop it's spread. I also found this article online: "Southern grasstree has a deep stem and a relatively shallow and extensive root system that suffers massive damage if the plant is dug up and put into nursery-size pots. Thus many transplanted species die after a few months, and most live for no more than three years. They are only able to survive for a period afterward because they have considerable reserves of food stored in the trunks." http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/Attachments/LJEM-7CV7E5/$FILE/Xanthorrhoea%20australis%20Notesheet.pdf The problem is that although these "trees" are absolutely gorgeous, they only grow at a rate of between 1 and 3cm each year - making a 1m tall grass tree about 50 - 100 years old. Because no one wants a grass tree with no trunk that has been grown from seed, they go to the nurseries and buy one taken from the wild (which is illegal in most states and only certain authorities are allowed) which have the risk of transporting disease or dying from relocation. Someone else might know of some diseases or problems it may be. Second Time 'Round Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 3Jan 04, 2010 8:17 pm Thanks F_T_R, and welcome back! There has been no yellowing of the foliage at all, and there is also plenty of new growth. The plant was bought legally from a reputable nursery and it came with complying paperwork, a huge pot of its native soil (too heavy for one person to comfortably lift) which it was planted with, and a bag of "Grasstree Microbe Mix.' It also came with a very stern lecture about planting do's and dont's! Apart from the spots the tree itself looks very healthy with a good dose of new growth. Some of the new growth has the spots as well though. Geoff - Decophile. Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 4Jan 05, 2010 12:29 am hi I have about 30 grasstrees and have seen some with black marks like yours ,looks similar to what you see on kangaroo paws. I had a quick look and can't find any now so i think it clears up will check closer tomorrow,over the last 5 years i've lost 7 of them 4 i tried to relocate (i think they were to big )and 3 to roundup from overkeen gardener Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 5Jan 05, 2010 8:18 pm How long have you had it Eager? I note there is some poor info on these plants out there. If I don't know it, I know someone who lives and breaths these things Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 6Jan 06, 2010 6:27 am Fu Manchu How long have you had it Eager? I note there is some poor info on these plants out there. If I don't know it, I know someone who lives and breaths these things We planted it early October last year, but I don't know how long it was in a pot at the nursery. They had many speciments to choose from and all looked healthy. To me, anyway. Geoff - Decophile. Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 7Jan 06, 2010 8:29 pm just checked a lot of mine and most are like this. They all have nice new growth at the top and as they get older and further down they get more black markings then die off (seems moreso on the the ones in full sun) . So if you have new growth then hopefully all should be ok Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 8Jan 08, 2010 11:29 am These remarkable plants are just sensational in landscapes and it's great you have used them I will include a fair bit of other info here for future reference for others searching about these plants. Being such a newly planted specimen and with it coming from a nursery, transplant success isn't that great in those circumstances The marks will be due to fungal disease. (Fungi that is not cool ) What is not commonly known is that this family of plants has a very heavy reliance on microscopic fungi which grows around the roots in the native soil it once lived in. Without each other they don't tend to survive. This is why obtaining these directly from conservation groups who harvest them from land about to be cleared is the very best way to obtain them. The more soil you get from around the root ball, the better the success rate is going to be when transplanting because you will be bringing the grass trees best mate along They need each other for survival They grow on and around the roots of your grass tree and help produce the actual nutrients they need. (fertilisers won't do it and this is something that grasstree growers and resellers in some cases don't even understand themselves, the better ones do ) To treat the fungal disease means also you will harm the microrrhiza as well, or at least harm what is remaining of there population There is a heap of info about grass trees needing fertilisers etc for better survival but that couldn't be more from the truth. They survive in some of the worlds poorest soils and the west aussie species are a testament to that. No one fertilises them so there must be something else It's the microrrhiza This is also funny enough why I bang on about the use of less fertilisers and more organic soil input like the molasses. It feeds these productive little buggers That funny enough leeds to results far better in many cases than if fertilisers where used We have all been duped over the last 80 years into thinking we need fertilisers for making our plants and lawns look good. In reality you get weak plants that look to be healthy and expensive to maintain (on you and the environment) gardens. It is actually these remarkable buggers growing in the soil on and around roots that will and do make our plants grow their very best and cheapest. Your grass tree is a fine example of that relationship There is what you need Eager mate Molasses every month or so for the next few years and you hopefully will see an improvement if it's not too far gone. The bad fungi will be there because it is sick and weak. Make it stronger by feeding something else he relies on for survival and you get a good result The grow so slow so that is why the length of time is so long for treatment. Generally because we can't see them and we as a population have little understanding of them we continue on the wrong path for garden health Although not from a Xanthorrhoea this is a microscope view of what I'm on about in the roots of a Euc. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 9Jan 08, 2010 2:01 pm Thanks Fu. The added bonus of using molasses I guess is that it is only one step away from Rum. Seriously though, what about if I start feeding it with more of the 'Grasstree Microbe Mix' that was originally provided with it? Unfortunately it doesn't state on the container (I had a bit left over and it is now expired) what the active ingredient is; have you heard of it? Geoff - Decophile. Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 10Jan 08, 2010 2:34 pm Might be no good anymore mate. That would have contained live cultures of particular mycorrhiza. (sorry i better spell it right ) No harm in using it though if you can't get anymore. Maybe get out to the nursery or grasstree place and get more. It's great they sold that with the plant Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 11Jan 08, 2010 2:44 pm Just wanted to say Fu...that's it's posts like the one above that make you a remarkable asset to this forum. I think I've learnt more from a handful of your posts then I have from all the gardening books I've got. Thanks champ! ....and no, I'm not p!ssed and "emotional"! mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 13Jan 08, 2010 3:23 pm Hi all, I have a grass tree, in a pot that has been in my garden for about 5 months. I was going to get this stuff http://palmnursery.com.au/products.php? ... BES-LIQUID , however I suspect it may just be molasses, which thanks to Fu I am already using. Any thoughts on how good this stuff may be? My grass tree is doing Ok, however it doesn't have great new growth. Good luck with yours Cheers PP Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 14Jan 08, 2010 3:49 pm It does look like it but it is a big call to make. Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 15Jan 29, 2010 6:51 pm After saying that my grass tree had no new growth, I have just noticed a new load of growth. Happy days! http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n307/adeurope/100_1878.jpg http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n307/adeurope/100_1801.jpg Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 17Oct 22, 2010 10:03 am You have to use molasses. Seasol and I guess in addition to that Seamungus won't go astray either. Mulch the soil with uncomposted mulch so that means natural straws or the mulch straight from the tree loppers truck. Don't set fire to them. If you ever want to shape them up, use a chain saw and then spray them with black acrylic paint Then mulch up the bits you have cut off and lay all around the plant Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 18Oct 22, 2010 4:16 pm What people do not realise is that most Wholesale nurserys do not have separate areas for Native plants. So when things are repotted they are stuck where there is a gap and treated the same as all plants ie. watered at least 4 times per day.So when you take it home and treat it as a native and do not water very often it is dead within 3 weeks. The only way to buy Natives is go to a Nursery that only sells natives that they have grown themselves under the correct conditions . Topiarius Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 19Oct 22, 2010 8:26 pm Surprised to see that this thread has been resurrected. The black spots on my grass tree went away, all by themselves. Geoff - Decophile. Re: Does my grass tree have a disease? 20Oct 23, 2010 10:29 pm topiarius What people do not realise is that most Wholesale nurserys do not have separate areas for Native plants. So when things are repotted they are stuck where there is a gap and treated the same as all plants ie. watered at least 4 times per day.So when you take it home and treat it as a native and do not water very often it is dead within 3 weeks. The only way to buy Natives is go to a Nursery that only sells natives that they have grown themselves under the correct conditions . Topiarius Actually most commerically grown natives from the big PBR companies should be treated just like any other plant IMO and most do really well I have seen Grevillea growing quite happy in high Phos potting mix (it at my mums house actually) Grasstrees however are harvested from the wild and therefore have different needs I went outside once. The graphics were alright, but the gameplay sucked! Settlement:22nd June Slab:27th August Frame:16th Sept Bricked:21st Oct Roof:24th Nov Linings HANDOVER23rd March! DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Please help me to answer this question , it will help me a lot as i can go to buy confidently with your recommendation: I want to put synthetic turf in our backyard for… 0 5542 Hello. I just bought a few acres in Habana, Mackay, and my horses seem to love hanging around under this tree. I would like to name the paddock after this tree. Can… 0 9529 |