Question
I have a palm and it was doing really well during the summer. I would put it
outside when it rained because it seemed to really love rain water. It actually
started growing new palms. I have not replanted it so it is in the same black
draining pot that I bought it in. I have not been able to put my palm outside
because it is too cold now. It is really not doing well. The end of the leaves
started turning brown and now almost all of the leaves are brown. I don't
know what to do?? I don't want to lose my palm! Do I need to leach it? Is it not
getting enough sunlight? It sits in front of a window but it does not get the
sunlight it did during the summer. Should I buy a sun lamp? Help!

Answer
Ann,

Whether or not it is getting enough light depends on what kind of palm it is. It could also be turning brown because it is getting too much water. In the winter when the days are shorter all plants slow down their growth and their need for water. We need to slow down the frequency that we water them and the amount of water we give them so that they get dry or nearly dry between waterings. If not they are sitting in a swamp and their roots rot and they die.

First it is good that it is in the original pot and it sits in a drain tray. An hour after you water empty any excess water out of the drain tray and do not water it again until the soil feels dry down as far as you can poke your finger and the plant feels light when you pick it up even if it takes 2 weeks or more for that to happen. It needs these moist and dry cycles to keep the roots healthy. That is what it gets in nature when it rains and then doesn't rain again for several days.

If you want to add light it would certainly not hurt the palm. A 2 tube florescent fixture hung over the plant and kept on for 14 hours a day on a timer in addition to the light it gets from the window would be a welcome addition and would not break you financially. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene