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I just purchased some sort of indoor palm (no label). It came with about 5 stalks, and is about 5-5 1/2 feet tall. The "leaves" are long and skinny and branck off the stalk like a palm. They have the coloring of a spider plant, green, with a white stripe boarding the edges. I have transplanted using fresh soil. The leaves are gettin brown spots and then die. I haven't watered it too much, for fear of overwatering...Any suggestions?? Kelli :confused:
Posts: 1 | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
There are a few possibilities of what may be causing your problem.
1st off, it may be in shock from two things, one a new environment, and # 2 transplanting it. I never transplant a plant for at least 3 weeks after I bring one home. Plants need to become adjusted to their new surroundings ( humidity levels, temperatures, light, and how they are cared for. ) That way they can tolerate they transplanting better. 2nd palms take TONS of light inside a house. Is it getting enough light? 3rd Watering, palms are used to sandy well drained soils. Don't be afraid to water it, but just let it dry a little between waterings, as the roots need oxygen as well as moisture. This is a good rule of thumb for almost all plants. 4th Did you use any fertilizer within 2 weeks of transplanting? That is a very common mistake. The freshly torn roots of a transplanted plant send out new growth rapidly. If they come in contact with the salts in the fertilizer however they can be cauterized, and develop a callous at the tip. Slowing down the regeneration of the roots, also impairing it from absorbing water. 5th. It may have a fungi disease called leaf spot. You should go back to where you purchased the plant and find out exactly what type it is, then do a little research to see if they are prone to that disease, and what type of action you should take.
Palms are not variegated (green with white stripes), so it is unlikely that you have a palm. Based on the information you provided, my educated guess is that you may have a Dracaena (Pleomele reflexa or Warneckei, perhaps) or possibly a Pandanus. These plants have a palm-like appearance, but are not palms and have very different cultural requirements.
With a positive ID of your plant I can help diagnose the problem. Perhaps you can email a photo to me at wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com or post a more detailed description of your plant so I can help you further.