Question
Hi Nick,
I had asked you some questions last week about my Queen palms and you had said it was probably Ganoderma Butt Rot. Today I saw the conch growth at the base of one of my Queen palms.
So my questions now are
1. The Queen with the conch looks totally healthy. Should I wait to remove it until it shows signs of dying just in case it isn't going to die? Or is it absolutely this disease and I should remove it even though it still looks perfect?
2. Upon removal is there any kind of palm that wouldn't be effected by this disease that I could plant in that area? Or are all palms at risk? Is there anything I can treat the soil with once the palm is removed?
3. And lastly does this only effect palms? Can I plant any other kind of plant there without any risk from this disease.

Thanks again.
Scott

Answer
Hi Scott, I suspected that Ganoderma was the culprit, if the conch is present, then the palm is effectively dead already, but will take Months to totally succumb, in the mean time, the spores can and will spread to other Palms in proximity, so it is imperative to remove the threat by completely taking out the entire Palm , root and all, including a good portion of the existing soil base it was growing in. Research Ganoderma to get detail and contact your local Cooperative Extension Service Agent for hands on help. Good luck and I am sorry this has happened to your Palms, all Palms are susceptible, especially the Queen and Arecas. Nick