What's eating my pogge's cycad?

Pogge's Cycad (Encephalartos poggei) is most threatened in cultivation by armored scale insects, which build up quickly on the fronds and trunk and cause characteristic yellowing. Mealybugs colonize the crown in warmer, sheltered settings. Seed weevils can eliminate seed crops. Regular inspection — especially of new fronds — and prompt oil treatment are essential.

Brown circular or white waxy shields on both leaf surfaces; chlorotic spotting and frond yellowing progressing to die-back Remove infested fronds; spray horticultural oil on a weekly schedule for 4 weeks; use imidacloprid soil drench for severe or persistent infestations

Mealy white colonies in leaf axils and at the apical crown; honeydew leads to sooty mold; distorted emerging leaves Swab colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7–10 days for a month

Larvae hollow out seeds within cones; seeds are completely non-viable; losses can reach 90% in heavily infested plants Examine cones regularly; remove and destroy infested seeds; apply a systemic insecticide preventively when cones are forming