I was given a palm-type plant but I don't know what type it is, and neither did the person who gave it to me. I've searched the previous palm ID posts in this forum, but I couldn't find a definitive answer. The plant is over 6ft tall, has multiple stalks groups together rather than a single trunk (or else the trunk is a few inches tall with the stalks branching away from it). A week after getting the plant, one frond browned completely and died. A week later, 2-3 other fronds started showing browning at the tips, and at this point I think one of those fronds is about to die completely. I can't locate a definitive solution online because I can't tell if it yellowed first, or browned first, since the browning leaves have some yellow now as well. I've been trimming the brown tips and cut away the dead frond. So far the 3 tallest fronds at the centre have remained green, except the tiniest bit of brown at the very tips. The leaves at the lowest point of each stalk are less firm than when I first got the plant. I repotted the plant when I got it (about 30 days ago) because it came in a tiny throwaway nursery pot. I used a container mix soil, because it is what I had on hand. I watered it well at the time of repotting, and watered it whenever the soil dried out on top (maybe once weekly). From what I've read about palm plant care, I've either overwatered it or underwatered it, or over/under fertilized it, or potted it in too big a pot, or it's simply winter? I haven't done any extra fertilization, just the new soil. Maybe I don't have enough light in my home. I live in Vancouver, it is in a room next to a west facing patio door, the room has a skylight as well. What kind of palm is this? What should I do to save it?
It looks like a Majesty Palm. http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/850/890311.JPG http://mgonline.com/majestypalm.html
Really? I'd somewhat discounted that possibility because the photos online of majesty plants have softer looking leaves/fronds, and have many more fronds. Mine are quite stiff and shoot straight upwards. Hmm, from what I've read, if it is a majesty palm I'm in trouble. I don't get much direct light at all. I'll try to up my watering routine and start misting the leaves as well. Edit: I found a majesty palm photo that resembles mine, so it does look like I have the troublesome variety: http://www.csupomona.edu/~isardinas1/hort439/list4/ravena.jpg Is it advisable to clip the brown leaves immediately? To trim them as only they brown or clip the entire frond once it starts to go?
Much better picture! Clipping brown off fronds might be in the eye of the beholder.If it looks ugly, you can clip it back. I have a large palm (not a majesty) that gets some brown tips now and then, but, as long as they aren't real bad, I will usually leave them alone. I will clip off whole fronds that have dried up along with their stems.
