Question
I recently purchased some Cat Palms. They were in 10" pots and were tipping over when the soil dried, so I re-potted them.  I purchased indoor potting soil that says that it was good at keeping moisture balanced, I added Perilite and Osmocote during re-potting.  The leaves are yellowing a bit and I worry that I may have over watered. I let them stand in water for only a day...where I found your site and realized the potential problem.  Will they be okay and if so what is the recommended watering schedule?

Answer
Hi Gina,

When you purchase new plants, they are already in the correct sized pot. When plants wilt it is because you have waited a bit too long to water thoroughly. Had you simply watered your wilted Cat Palm you could have avoided the unnecessary repotting.

The yellowing leaves are probably a result of the original wilting or allowing the soil to get too dry. Those yellowed fronds can be trimmed off as they will not re-green.

The problem now is potential root damage done by the repotting. A larger pot increases the chances of root rot because the added "moisture balanced" soil will retain moisture around the roots for too long. The addition of Perlite will help, but the added Osmocote may cause root burning. My best advice is to undo the repotting by removing all of the soil and perlite and fertilizer that you added and putting the original rootball back into its original pot or one of the same size.

When properly potted, Cat Palms should be watered when the surface of the soil feels almost dry.

I have written an article on Palm care 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
I have written an article on    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