Question
Please could you help me, I have the above palm but the leaves get to about 6cm long and then turn yellow and drop off. I havent fed the plant as I am not sure what to feed it on and I only spray the leaves and soil daily with water in order not to soak it. The tree hasn't flowered and I feel this is a sign there is something wrong. I keep the palm in my conservatory but it is well ventilated. Your help with this would be much appreciated.

Answer
Angela,

In winter, the "Hawaii palm?prefers a light place, even the south window sill is possible. She also does well with less light. In the summer you must protect the palm a bit for too much sun, otherwise she might loose quit some leaves (they really come back soon after). Many people "over summer" their "Hawaii Palm" on the terrace or in the garden. Oddly enough, they can stand the sun much better in the garden. Bring them back in the living room no later than early September to enjoy the flowering period in October ?November.

Water and food

The trunk of the 'Hawaiian Palm' is, like a cactus, a water tank. They can therefore survive six weeks without water, the ideal holiday plant! Like a real cactus they can not stand too much water, the trunk may start to rot. An average of once a week watering is the best to keep the soil damp. Just feel the pot soil first, if it's still moist wait another week with watering. However, it is important that you feed the palm each month. A common fertilizer for green plants is fine. If you feed your palm well you will be rewarded with many flowers in autumn time.

Temperature

The optimum temperature is between 18-25 ?C. Occasionally it can also stand very low temperatures but they are not frost hardy

Specialties

Stress causes the 'Hawaiian Palm' to loose leaves. Stress conditions are the transition from winter to summer as the light intensity suddenly increases, too much water, damage from insects, but also the journey from the greenhouse through the store, to your home. The shedding of leaves is a kind of self-defence of the plant. As soon as she is adapted to the new circumstances new leaves are formed again and within a few weeks your palm is fully adapted again. So don抰 worry if your palm occasionally drops a lot of leaves, this is normal. They will come back soon after.

If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck!

Darlene