The GCP is a pretty tough customer, normally, so I have to assume that you've done something to your soil. I dont know how well they handle waterlogging, but I'm not aware of anything else that will see them rot.

Same feelings as artie. lack of water can be a prob but more so too much. Or insects - check for scale mealies or other nasties.

Are you using cane mulch as i had a problem the same as you and i found out the mulch was full of cane boarers

Yes! I think cane boarers/beetles may be the problem. I have lost a tri-angle palm and a couple of GCPs, they were in an erea that had been covered with sugar cane mulch. The beetle grub appears to attack the area at the base of the palm and leaves a soggy, jelly like substance. The adult beetle (about 1cm long) makes a cacoon from the cane fibres and can be found inside the rotted-out canes.

Any ideas on how to get rid of the problem would be appreciated.

I live in Karratha (North West of WA) and we are currently experiencing and epidemic of our Golden Cane, Triangles, Cardboard palms dying. It is due to a fungus disease. We think it is an airborne disease. Karratha has suffered a very long high humid summer with no rain. It has taken everyone by suprise as many palms in the area are very old. We have been told to brew up some tricoderma (rather expensive) for 48 hours and spray on the infected plants. This builds up the microbes in the soil and combats the fungus disease. I have put rotted Horse/blood&Bone/compost/dynamic lifter around the base of the palm not too close to the trunk and put a mulch on top. You could also try Mancozeb garden fungicide.

Further to my posting 22/05/2005 Tricoderma Plus Blend Soil Microbes is available at Western Mineral Fertilisers Perth WA at $143.00 per kilo only require 150grams per application.

jopatch@westnet.com.au

Rotting Palms  Phytophthora Cinnamomi  Dieback

First I would stop using chemical fertilisers. I have found that they deplete the soils over the years.

Use only organic fertilisers like, cow, chicken, sheep, fish and kelp. These fertilisers build up the humus in the soil.
I lost two royal palms and was very worried about losing the rest of my palms. The fungal disease is called Phytophthora cinnamomi (dieback).
I used Nutri-Life 4/20 microbes. www.nutri-tech.com.au. This will build up the soil microbes and I have not had a problem since.
You will need a large clean bucket or garbage bin with a lid an aerator kit (and heater). See www.greenharvest.com.au they are $39.00. An aquarium aerator and heater will also do the job.
See brewing photos. Brew Nutri-Life 4/20 to instructions.
http://smallfootprints.com.au/blogs/eco-blog/archive/2008/11/12/organic-gardening-improving-soil-fertility-with-beneficial-bacteria-and-fungi.aspx
Let me know how you go.
Jo Pritchard  Karratha WA
jopatch@westnet.com.au

Jopatch,

Can you update on what happened to those diseased palms later? Any recovery after treating them with those concoctions? Was it helpful to go with the microbials? Was there any attempt to identify the genuine cause of it? It is ten years now, and I am told that the epidemic has relapsed in Karratha! Your input would help in understanding the situation. Look forward to hearing from you if you are still around and active. Thanks

regards

vivek

Sounds like it could be this: Basal stem rot: This disease is caused
by Ganoderma mushroom that attacks the palm at the
stem base. The fungus may be observed as a whitish skin-like layer on the inner
surfaces of the exodermises; cortical tissue becomes brown. The disease causes
dry rot of internal tissues that severely restricts the supply of water and
nutrients to the palm.