What Is Wrong With My Bauer’s Dracaena Palm?

Are there any wounds oozing with a white liquid that may be frothy, have a slight orange tint, and may have a foul odor?

Do the leaves have holes?

Do the leaves and stems have white, cottony clusters on them?

Are the leaves covered with small bumps?

Are the leaves curled and distorted?

Do the leaves have spots or blotches?

Cordyline slime flux is a bacterial disease that enters the plant through pre-existing wounds, typically caused by frost damage. Wounds may ooze a white liquid that may be frothy, have a slight orange tint, or have a foul odor. There may also be black stains beneath the ooze. Younger plants are more prone to frost damage, which can cause plants to wilt and appear to be rotting at the stem and the growing center. The disease is not fatal, but because it is associated with frost damage, the affected plants' parts may need to be removed.

Several species of leaf-feeding caterpillars will feed on toyon leaves. They may also feed on stems, flowers, and fruit. Handpick and destroy caterpillars, or spray plants with BTK if caterpillars are feeding. Many foliage-feeding caterpillar populations are controlled by general predators, parasites, or naturally occurring viruses.

White, cottony clusters on leaves and stems are caused by mealybugs. These tiny insects are covered with a fluffy white coating. They feed by sucking plants sap. They produce the sticky substance honeydew which makes leaves sticky. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Leaves covered by small bumps are caused by scales. These tiny, shelled insects often feed on the undersides of the leaves, causing an unhealthy appearance with yellowish blotches on the upper leaf surfaces. Scrape off minor infestations with your fingernail. Prune out badly infested growth, or use a soft brush and soapy water to gently scrub the scales off the stems. Control scales by spraying insecticidal oil during the growing season.

Distorted and curled leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Your plants are suffering from fungal leaf spot. These can come from several fungus diseases, causing spots to occur on foliage. Spots may enlarge rapidly, especially in wet weather. Destroy infected leaves or plants. Spray plants with sulfur to prevent the disease from spreading, especially if the weather is wet. Spray between rains. Prevent problems by thinning plants to provide good air circulation.

If the leaves are stippled with yellow, and fine webbing is apparent, the culprits are spider mites. These tiny, spider-like pests feed by sucking sap from the underside of the plant's leaves causing yellow flecking on the upper leaf surfaces. You can control spider mites by spraying plants thoroughly with water 2-3 times a day for several days. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap.