Troubleshooting
Moore's Macrozamia problems — and how to fix them
Moore's Macrozamia (Macrozamia moorei) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Manganese deficiency (frizzle top)
Emerging leaflets appear stunted, necrotic at tips, or twisted — the classic 'frizzle top' of palms and cycads. Apply a chelated manganese sulfate drench to the root zone; correct soil pH if above 7.5, as alkalinity locks out manganese.
Scale insects and cycad aulacaspis scale
Cycad aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui) can devastate cycads if unchecked. Inspect regularly; treat with repeated horticultural oil applications and, if necessary, systemic imidacloprid as a soil drench.
Sunburn on transplanted specimens
Established plants tolerate full sun, but freshly transplanted or container-grown specimens moved outdoors must be acclimatised gradually to avoid severe leaflet burn. Provide shade cloth protection for the first season.
Prevent moore's macrozamia problems before they start
Most moore's macrozamia issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
- Common moore's cycad problems — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Moore's Macrozamia watering schedule
- Moore's Macrozamia light requirements
- Best soil mix for moore's macrozamia
- Moore's Macrozamia temperature & humidity
- Full moore's macrozamia care guide
Looking for moore's macrozamia in general rather than its problems? Read the full moore's macrozamia care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Moore's Macrozamia problems — FAQ
Why is my moore's macrozamia manganese deficiency (frizzle top)?
Emerging leaflets appear stunted, necrotic at tips, or twisted — the classic 'frizzle top' of palms and cycads. Apply a chelated manganese sulfate drench to the root zone; correct soil pH if above 7.5, as alkalinity locks out manganese.
Why is my moore's macrozamia scale insects and cycad aulacaspis scale?
Cycad aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui) can devastate cycads if unchecked. Inspect regularly; treat with repeated horticultural oil applications and, if necessary, systemic imidacloprid as a soil drench.
Why is my moore's macrozamia sunburn on transplanted specimens?
Established plants tolerate full sun, but freshly transplanted or container-grown specimens moved outdoors must be acclimatised gradually to avoid severe leaflet burn. Provide shade cloth protection for the first season.