OTC Injections
What Are OTC Injections?:
OTC (oxytetracycline hydrochloride) injections help prevent Lethal Bronzing Disease. Certain species of palms are susceptible to Lethal Bronzing Disease, including Phoenix sylvestris (Wild Date Palm), Phoenix dactylifera (Edible Date Palm), and Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm). See the full list of palms most commonly affected by LBD here.
A palm can have Lethal Bronzing Disease up to one year before symptoms appear. Once symptoms appear, it is very unlikely the palm can be saved. OTC is an antibiotic which is injected into the trunk of the susceptible palm. The OTC does not kill the phytoplasma, but suppresses its growth to the point that the palm can live with the phytoplasma for the life of the palm as long as the phytoplasma isn’t too far advanced.
How Are The Injections Administered?:
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Do you do LY (Lethal Yellowing) Injections?
Many of the same palms that are susceptible to Lethal Bronzing Disease are also susceptible to Lethal Yellowing. The treatment for both phytoplasmas are the same. Lethal Yellowing has not been confirmed with lab analysis in any palms in this area since 2007. Because of this, our protocol is to only inject palms that are susceptible to Lethal Bronzing Disease.
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What is OTC?
OTC is an abbreviation of oxytetracycline, and is an antibiotic that suppresses Lethal Bronzing Disease, it does not kill the Phytoplasma but rather suppressed the reproduction of growth.
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How long should I treat my palms?
A palm can live as long as the injections are continued regularly. Once the injections are stopped, the disease will continue to grow.
Palms Most Commonly Affected by LBD:
1) Phoenix sylvestris (Wild Date Palm)
2) Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm/Pineapple Palm)
3) Phoenix dactylifera (Edible Date Palm)
4) Sabal palmetto (Cabbage Palm)
5) Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm)
6) Butia capitata (Pindo Palm)
7) Cocos nucifera (Coconut Palm)