Question
QUESTION: Hi Nick,
My indoor palm has some weird sticky substance on it's prawns and also some equally weird brown bumpy things. Also the tips of some of the established prawns are turning brown.  Help!  I love the plant and want to save it. thanks Amy

ANSWER: Hi Amy, ok, lets take this in stages, I need you to tell me (followup) how big the container is its in, and how long has it been in that container; I also need to know how large the palm is. Give me a history so I know what I am dealing with, type of palm if you know would help also. I have an inclination but I am reluctant to tell you until I know more.....Nick

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QUESTION: the tag in the plant reads Ravenea Majesty palm and the pot it's in is appx. 16ft across.  I bought it at target and it is a decent size palm.  it was growing well up to  a few months ago when I noticed the symptoms I told you about.  I was only watering it about once every two weeks and it is located right next to a window.
ANSWER: Amy, My goodness, thats a large pot (16ft across?) LOL...I know, you meant 16 inches; ok, thats a nursery pot it came in, and needs to be changed out. A majesty palm is a shade lover and needs to be kept misted and watered when dry (until water drips out the drainage holes of the "new" container you put it in; put it in a container at least twice the size of the nursery container it is in now. When you repot it, be sure to put about 2 inches of pea stone lining the bottom to assist in drainage; the majesty is an easy palm to care for and as long as it is kept misted and out of direct afternoon sun/heat. Now, the sticky stuff is probably white fly larvae, and the bumps are where they originated from,   so spray the fronds with a horticultural oil and then wash the fronds of with a wet rag the following day, this should eliminated the problem. Let me know how you make out, after you spray it. Nick

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: should I clip the ends of the palm that have turned brown?  I repotted and didn't put pea gravel in the bottom, will this create a problem?  and lastly where would I find horticulture oil (remember I bought the plant at Target)  Thanks Nick

Answer
You can clip the ends for aesthetics if you wish, (try to trim them off rather then just cut them) the fact that you didn't put any drainage medium at the bottom is ok but be careful when you water that you don't overwater and have the roots sitting in standing moisture. The galls that formed (bumpy things) are no concern, but you will need to wash the fronds of any residue from the insects (including the insects themselves); you need to mist the fronds daily to help repel any new infestation (they like dry conditions), and finally you may have to go online to get your horticultural oil...good luck Nick