Question
QUESTION: how do i prune a fishtail palm? can  i cut the top and side tips to give it a round shape..the inner tree itself is dense and i have had white fly problems..should i thin out the interior..the plant lives out doors in a big pot in hawaii..thanks

ANSWER: Hi Herbert, no it can't be shaped like a bush, but you can prune it by removing entire fronds from the main stem. Start at the bottom and work upwards, this will give it a neater look. Whitefly is a very difficult pest to eradicate, but spraying the fronds themselves with a insecticidal soap will kill the larvae, the adults are just to evasive. Nick

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QUESTION: the only insecticidal soap i see in hawaii   is safer soap is and is only in small dispensers..is this available in gallon size..who do i order from {no luck on line)..any other soap you would recommend..thanks..herb

ANSWER: ...you can use Sevin or any insecticide for "Whitefly" (label will tell you...), its just insecticidal soap is more friendly to the environment. The key here though, is the adults will continue to lay eggs, so control is very difficult. Nick

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QUESTION: one last question..thanks..whats your opinion of systemics for white flies?  and how should they be applied and which one would you recommend

Answer
systemics are fine, as long as the plant isn't producing an edible item, like a fruit or vegetable; the problem is, it will kill the insects as they eat, but eventually they dissipate. This is the reason I rely mainly on contact killers, especially the ones that suffocate instead of poisoning. Bayer puts out a good systemic.