My 20 year old Magdascar palm is suddenly losing more bark mostly from the top of the palm. This palm has always had what you call entwined bark around the tree, quite rough but this the bark that is coming loose. The bark that is left is brown. It has been very hot here in Queensland all year but it is in a shady position. Is it sick? Any help would be appreciated. It has been suggested by someone that a tree wound solution would be fine but I notice on your gardening site you are not in favor
Hm... It could be a few things... If you can include a photo then I can get a better idea of what is going on. This will allow me to help you better to try and fix your issue.
Magdascar palm is suddenly losing a lot of bark from top of palm. Is it just shedding or has it a problem?
It has always tilted and living in Queensland we have had extreme hot weather this summer. It is in a shady position though. Is there anything I can do or just hope it is okay?
Cold weather might damage a Madagascar palm. It rots and looks like a soft, mushy tissue with a crumpled, withered look.
Your plant has a tilt; has it alway had this or has it developed with the issue? Often times when you see signs of problems on the outside it is beyond saving.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/madagascar-palm/madagascar-palm-care.htm
The plant is about 2 feet tall. I don't have a photo.
That depends on exactly where you live in southern Arizona. Madagascar palms are hardy in USDA zones 9-11. So if you live in the Phoenix, Yuma or Casa Grande area, you should be able to leave it outside. If you live in southeastern Arizona, that is zone 8, and you might lose it during the winter. Look on this USDA hardiness zone map and find your exact location https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
make the leaves healthy again?
Mites or white fly larvae may attach themselves to the underside of palm fronds. These can be attacked with the use of insecticides and fungicides in the form of Neem Oil or a fungicide. Spraying your plant once every few months during its growing period. Avoid spraying when the soil is dry.
Mites are small moving pinpoints of red or brown. Severe infestations leave “spider webs” on the underside of the fronds.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/madagascar-palm/madagascar-palm-care.htm
My 8' tall Madagascar palm's leaves have not fully sprouted this year. It always had a single head and last year after flowering it developed several nubs at the top. I thought it would develop several heads but only little leaves have sprouted from the nubs. I have had this plant for 6 years or so and for the first few years it was kept in a pot. I planted it in the ground 3 years ago and it took off and did very well. I live in So. Florida (zone 9B) and last winter was not very cold but it did loose it's leaves as usual but now just little tiny leaves have popped out. I don't know what is wrong with it. Please help. Thanks.
You are right at the edge of where they can be considered hardy. I would say that if the temperatures dipped down to 25 degrees or below, then this is to blame for a slow recovery.
Fertilization is necessary to good plant growth and health as well. This may be a need at this time.
This article is for growing these as a houseplant, but the same care will be necessary outdoors, for the most part: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/madagascar-palm/madagascar-palm-care.htm
The 6-footer had just begun to bloom when the heat hit. But other Madagascar Palms in the neighborhood seem unaffected. Too much water? It's on community twice-a-day schedule but with modified drip.
Hm... It looks like a severe case of pythium rot! This is usually caused by overwatering. Most tropical plants are well adapted to the heat, and anything you do to "help" them is usually "helping" too much.
From here, there might not be much chance for recovery. If the rest of the crown does not die off, then there may be a chance for it to shoot a new offshoot, but this is probably not going to happen.
These are considered "succulents" rather than a true palm, and should be treated as such.
This article will help you to care for these plants. The article pertains to indoor species, since most areas are not suited for this plant outside, but the care will remain the same: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/madagascar-palm/madagascar-palm-care.htm
Have a madagascar cactus that is 12 ft tall in a pot with a 9 ft and 8 ft one. Can I prune these, and then they might branch at the prune site? Can the pieces I prune off root??? Thank you?
You don't see many instances where these are rooted by tip cutting. That isn't to say that it is impossible, but it is probably on the difficult side.
Knowing that it is a succulent will give you a clue at how to propagate this.
Succulents propagate when it is dry or only slightly moist. This means that your best bet is to root these in only semi-moist sand. Using rooting hormone may help here, but my guess is that they will dry or rot before rooting.
The best way to propagate multiples of this plant will be from offshoots. These will show themselves after cutting the tip off. They will come from the base of the plant, typically, and will have their own root system already if you split them off correctly, and with a sharp instrument.
This article will help you to care for the plant: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/madagascar-palm/madagascar-palm-care.htm