Question
QUESTION: I just purchased 2 palm at a supermarket, after getting them home the tips of the leaves started browning. It is spreading. I want to treat for bugs first. I read that a mixture of rubbing alcohol, dish soap and water will kill bugs in my 2 palms. Can you tell me how much to use for the mixture and how often to spray? Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Debbie,

You haven't identified the "bugs" by describing them or telling me where they are located on the plant, so I cannot tell you if the alcohol, soap, water treatment is appropriate.

The brown tips are not caused by the "bugs." Again, without knowing just what kind of Palm you have, I cannot begin to tell you why the tips are turning brown. That is because some Palms require lots of sun and others prefer shade; some Palms require wet soil while others do best with soil that dries out.

I hope you can send me better information so I can help you. Post a photo here of the plant or the "bugs" or email them to me at [email protected].

~Will Creed

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Palm tree   QUESTION: Thanks so much for your reply. I wrote earlier (from my phone)not sure if you had received it.
I attached a pic of the palm tree. I also have a pic of the leaf with brown edges. I'll try sending that also. lol I'm not great on the computer...bear w/me.

Answer
Hi Debbie,

The photo is very small and hard for me to ID your Palm definitively. However, it does look like the dreaded Majesty Palm, a plant often sold by supermarkets and Big Box stores.

I hate to tell you this but the Majesty Palm has the poorest record on any indoor plant. It requires a great deal of light, water and fertilizer and simply does not do well as an indoor plant, except in a a greenhouse. It is also very prone to serious spider mite infestations. The leaf tipping is typical of what happens with these palms and there is no way to correct it. Try to return it for a refund, if you can.

Otherwise, provide as much light as you can; trim off the tips as they turn brown; keep the soil moist; and lower your expectations with this plant.

Spider mites can be treated with a solution of 5 parts water, 1 part rubbing alcohol and a squirt of liquid soap. Be sure to thoroughly drench all leaf and stem surfaces until they are dripping wet.

I have written an article on Palms that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
 
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com