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worms in my palms


Question
I have a hole in my pot (and little stones at the bottom), but must admit that I don't always empty the drain tray after watering.  In fact, sometimes the water spills over onto the floor.  Does this causes worms?  Should I try to get rid of the worms?  Is this causing my palm branches to turn brown and my dracaena leave tips to turn brown?
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Followup To

Question -
I have a dracaena, a palm and a ficcus.  For the past few months, I've noticed that my palm has been losing branches, one or two every month or so.  And, my dracaena is browning at the tips (I water every couple of weeks or so-when the soil seems dry) I've sprayed for bugs, to no avail.  Tonight, I was watering and decided to take a plastic fork and break up the topsoil (which had become a little crunchy).  To my surpurise, I found thin brown worms in my soil.  Are these worms the cause of my browning leaves/branches?  Are they harmful to my plants?  If so, how do I get rid of them?

Answer -
Aleisha,

Are your plants in pots with drainage holes and drain trays under them? Do you leave water stand in the drain tray after you water or do you empty it a couple of hours after you water. Let me know and I will try to help you.

Darlene

Answer
Aleisha,

Palms like to dry out well between waterings. When they are too wet at times the roots begin to rot and that causes fungus gnats to attack the rotting roots. The worms you are seeing are the larval stage of the fungus gnats.  The rotting roots also causes the brown fronds. Let it dry out well between waterings and do not let water stand in the drain tray for more than a few hours. The roots will slowly heal and the fungus gnats and the larva will disappear. If you want them to go away faster water once with a couple of bottles of rubbing alcohol. It will kill the worms and won't hurt the plant.

We didn't talk about light. Your palm needs very bright light with windows and blinds open during the day. That will help  it recuperate faster too. If you have more questions write again. Good luck.

Darlene

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