Question
We recently got a Chamaedorea Hybrid (Bamboo Palm). it is about 7' tall.  But after a couple weeks it is starting to lose leaves.  If you run your hand over two the fronds from two of the stalks the leaves just come right off.  The other fronds seem to be ok.  We are scared of killing it. It generally gets watered once or twice a week.  I always test the soil so I don't over or under water it, I read it should stay moist.
We recently found out the horrors of the Majesty Palm and really want a palm that will stay alive and look nice.  So any advice you can give us to keep this palm healthy and nice would greatly be appreciated.

Thank you!

Answer
Julie,

This tall columnar palm is one of the better choices for the home or office. They will adapt to nearly any light condition except full hot sun. In low light... the won't require much water. Feed the plant monthly with a water soluable during the spring and summer, bi-monthly during the winter.  
Yellowing fronds could be the caused by either over or under watering the plant. When over watered yellowing will creep up the leaf from the end, whereas under watering generally turns the entire frond yellow.
You said you are watering once or twice a week and checking the soil first. How are you checking the soil? First, the plant has to be in a pot with a hole in the bottom and a drain tray under it. When you water you need to give it enough water so that all the soil in the pot becomes moist and a bit of water goes into the drain tray. After an hour if the drain tray is full suction it out with a turkey baster. Never leave it sit in a tray full of water. A little water is okay. Then do not water it again until the top of the soil is bone dry, there will still be a lot of moisture lower in the pot. The best way to tell if it needs water is to pick up on one edge of the pot and tip it slightly. If it is still very heavy it probably does not need water. If it feels a lot lighter than it did right after you last watered it then it probably needs watered. Watering problems are the most likely cause of frond dropping.  
Light problems can also be a cause. It does not like to have the sun shining on it but it does need a very bright location. If your hand won't make a shodow where it is sitting then it is not getting enough light, move it to a brighter location or open the window coverings.
Insects are the last cause and the one you should watcch for with this plant is spider mites. shine a light on it and if you see fine webs all over it it has been attacked by spider mites. They usually only attack when the plant is being kept too dry. If you find them you need to spray the entire plant including the fronts and backs of all fronds with rubbing alcohol straight from the bottle every other day for 10 days. That will kill the spider mites and any babies that hatch. You can also take it outdoors in the evening and spray it with a hose to wash off the spider mites, them spray it with the alcohol twice and that would also get rid of them. Good luck.

Darlene