Question
QUESTION: Hello

I live in Las Vegas and I have a pygmy date palm on my patio facing west.  Its gets plenty of sun on the patio and my leaves are turning yellow.  I drop the blinds and I give it protection from the afternoon sun.  I have been watering it ever other day and it looks like it needs more water.  What should I do?  I'm I over watering it.  I bought it at my local nursery and they had it in full sun.  

Rob

ANSWER: Hi Rob, from what you are saying, I would say you are indeed giving it too much water, check the drainage holes for moisture, if they are moist, then the roots are sitting in water and this is what is stressing your Palm. Follow up after you check this, and also let me know if you lined the bottom of your container with a drainage medium. Nick

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QUESTION: So how many times should I water my palm.  I don't think i lined it with a drainage medium.  Could that be a problem?  Also i am getting burn spots on the plant leaves.  Can I grow this plant in full afternoon sun with shade cloth.

ANSWER: Pygmy Dates like full sun, so the "burn spots" are probably a reaction to salts in the soil, often caused by frequent fertilizing (salt residue builds up in soil). Also lack of humidity can cause these spots, frequent misting will help. All indications here are a need for replacement of soil and a drainage medium added. Nick

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QUESTION: So how many times should I water the palm and what is a good drainage medium? Rob

Answer
...Line the bottom with about 2 inches of fine pea stone, water it  well when it begins to dry out at the drainage hole, for this will tell you that the drainage stone is no longer holding excess water,  and then you water it "well" until water begins to leak out at the drainage hole; many people tend to water a little, frequently, which is the incorrect way to irrigate any plant. You wait until the plant needs to be watered, and then you give it a good drink, until water comes out the holes. Nick