Question
I received as a housewarming gift a plant in a pot about 8 inches across and maybe 6 inches deep. It has tons of 1 inch long criss crossing spikes, is about 12 inches tall and has long horizontal (4 to 10 inches) leaves, about 1/2 inch wide and narrowing at the tip and the base. My problem is the leaves are yellowing then drying up from the tip inwards. Please bear in mind I never was a plant type of person and am an extreme beginner at this (Yes, I can probably kill a cactus...lol). It is in a room kept about 15 - 25 degrees celcius, and cathes about 2/3 of a days daylight directly, starting with the rising sun. I live in Montreal (for an idea of # of hours light & temperature). I watered once a week, then twice a week with the same results. Then I went longer than 1 week without and it seemed worse. I don't have a picture but can get one if you need. Thanks and let me know if you need more info.

Rick

Answer
Rick,

I think your plant may be a MADAGASCAR PALM or Pachypodium lamierei.  You can see a picture atthis site about 1/2 way down the page:
http://www.soil-free.com/tropical.htm

If this is not your plant then I will need a picture to identify it. You can send a picture to [email protected]
They need lots of sun, very little water, to be planted in gravelly sandy soil, and never fertilized. They do typically loose their leaves in winter so the move from the greenhouse to your home may have shocked it enough to make it loose it's leaves. It will not kill it. Just don't ovewater it and when it is above 50 degrees farenheit outdoors you can put it out in full sun.

For more info about the care of Pachypodiums check out these sites:
http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week109.shtml
http://mgonline.com/madagascarpalm.html
http://plantsdatabase.com/go/509/
Good luck.
                                     Darlene