Madagascar Palm

[Toktokkie]

Does anyone know anything about this plant. I have one that I got when it was about 12 inches. I kept transplanting it and it's now about 5 ft. tall but it's lost all it's leaves.

We moved into a new house and it went into shock. It gets baby leaves and then seems to "abort" them. I've looked up on the internet and they say to neglect it during the winter months so I did that and noticed 5 new leaves. It's started aborting these leaves again. Location is right, it's away from heating vents. Can anyone help?

[Icecub]

I seem to have the same probs with palms in my home....no matter where i position them, they get dry, brittle and turn brown on the ends of the leaves...looks like they get burnt but nowhere near radiators or draughts or direct in the sun.....

I have green fingers but my palms seem to not do very well.....i think maybe they are not meant for this climate, as they are tropical plants....

[Bushbaby]

Originally posted by Icecub
I seem to have the same probs with palms in my home....no matter where i position them, they get dry, brittle and turn brown on the ends of the leaves...looks like they get burnt but nowhere near radiators or draughts or direct in the sun.....

I have green fingers but my palms seem to not do very well.....i think maybe they are not meant for this climate, as they are tropical plants....

If it is a tropical palm, it probably needs high light intensity, if not direct light (which can burn the leaves). Have you checked soil temperature? Most tropical plants do well with a soil temperature of around 18 C. You can get heat mats at garden centres or get a thermostatically controlled one at a petshop specialising in reptiles.

[Icecub]

Originally posted by Bushbaby
If it is a tropical palm, it probably needs high light intensity, if not direct light (which can burn the leaves). Have you checked soil temperature? Most tropical plants do well with a soil temperature of around 18 C. You can get heat mats at garden centres or get a thermostatically controlled one at a petshop specialising in reptiles.

will do so.....i think i might need the soil to be changed......which kind of soil do u think i should use...as i use indoor potting soil....

[Bushbaby]

Two parts potting soil to one part good compost - mushroom or otherwise, would probably do it. If you can add some well decomposed leafmould as a mulch, that would also lessen evaporation from the soil and continue to break down, providing nutrients in much the same way a palm would experience in a natural setting. When repotting, make sure the top line of the soil is an inch below the rim of the pot - it will allow for a good soak every once in a while then.

[Icecub]

Originally posted by Bushbaby
Two parts potting soil to one part good compost - mushroom or otherwise, would probably do it. If you can add some well decomposed leafmould as a mulch, that would also lessen evaporation from the soil and continue to break down, providing nutrients in much the same way a palm would experience in a natural setting. When repotting, make sure the top line of the soil is an inch below the rim of the pot - it will allow for a good soak every once in a while then.

ta BB....will print this and go to the local nursery this weekend.....

[Toktokkie]

Thanks. Everything else seems right so I'll look into the soil situation.