Question

kentia trouble   QUESTION: I live in Malta, and i have a kentia that has been in my yard for more than 5 years.(It is not in direct sunlight)  In the last two weeks the leaves are turning brown, and there is only 1 green leaf left.  There is a new one coming out soon, so the plant is not dead.  My difficulty is it underwatering or overwatering.  The soil is quite powdery.  Thanks for your help

ANSWER: Josette,

Unless it has been raining more than 4 centimeters of rain a week and you are having flooding in some areas it is not overwatering. You should make sure it is being watered when it is dry but that it is drying out between waterings. I am assuming that you have it planted in the ground. It needs at least 2 1/2 centimeters of water a week in the ground. good luck.

Darlne

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

QUESTION: Tks a lot for your quick answer. It could be we gave it some extra water before we went on holiday.  The plant is in a pot.  Does that make things different.  SORRY for annoying you with a second question Josette

Answer
I still suspect it is too dry. When it is too wet it is the leaf tips that turn brown. Lift it out of the pot and if the roots are brown and rotting it is overwatered but if it won't come out of the pot it is root bound and needs to be moved to a pot that has a diameter 10 centimeters larger than the one it is in now. No larger than that or you will overwater it. Make sure the new pot has a drain hole and a small drain tray thaat does not hold a lot of water to rot the roots.  Then you need to water it carefully only when it is dry but don't allow it to be dry more than 3 days. Good luck.

Darlene