Question
Good afternoon, Nick.  Hope you can help.  I just purchased 2 Kentia plam trees from a local K-mart store.  I need a "recipe" for a good potting mix to repot these trees in to help them off to a good start as indoor plants.  I've read previous streams about what seems to be a complicated mix of this and that but wondered if there is a more simpler potting mix "recipe" that I can follow since this is my first attempt at having "indoor" palm trees.  Right now the plants are in my living room that receives bright light from a south-facing window (I have sheer white curtains at the window).  One plant is right next to the window but not in front of it, the other sits about 10 feet away from the window.  Also, what's a good fertilizer, how often to fertilize and how often to water.  Thanks in advance for any help.  Good Day!!

Answer
Hi Al, I just use a good quality potting mix and line the bottom of my container with about 2 inches of gravel for drainage; Kentias  like a bright indirect light, so I would say morning sun and late afternoon dappled shade would be fine for them. Mist them frequently to imitate humidity and repel spider mites, this will prevent the tips from browning out from lack of humidity. Irrigate when needed, but when you do, make sure the entire root ball gets benefit, people tend to water to little, and the water ends up going down the sides and missing much of the root system, just be careful not to give them wet feet, or problems will occur. Fertilize with a well balanced granular Palm fertilizer (has all the micro nutrients required by palms)about once every 3-4 months (follow label instructions.) and once a year mist the fronds with a chelated Palm nutritional spray. Nick