What's eating my encephalartos ferox?

Encephalartos ferox faces the same cycad pest threats as other African cycads: cycad aulacaspis scale is the most dangerous worldwide, while various armored scales, mealybugs, and cycad weevils (in Australian cultivation) also cause problems. Regular inspection of fronds, caudex, and crown is essential — scale can kill the plant if unchecked.

White crusty encrustations cover fronds, caudex, and roots; causes yellow spotting progressing to brown, dead fronds; can kill the plant Apply horticultural oil (fish oil emulsion or petroleum-based) repeatedly; systemic dinotefuran soil drench for severe cases; isolate new acquisitions before adding to a collection

Shell-like scale colonies on leaflet surfaces drain sap; leaves become chlorotic then die back Spray white oil (horticultural soluble oil) thoroughly; repeat applications every 2–3 weeks; remove heavily encrusted fronds first

Adults notch leaf margins; larvae bore into the crown stem, disrupting nutrient flow and causing wilting and crown collapse Systemic insecticides applied to the crown; remove and destroy infested plant material; avoid moving soil from infested sites

Cottony white colonies in cone bases and leaf axils; honeydew fouls foliage and promotes sooty mold Apply isopropyl alcohol spot-treatment; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 7–10 days