Hi coco,

I couldn't help but tell you that most my palms do not do well in a very peaty mix...I use a 5.1.1. mix that allows excellent drainage, holds it's structure for a very long time, and allows for the roots to my palms to flourish.

It also allows me to fertilize without fear of salt build up and saves me a lot of aggrivation with discolored or yellowing leaves, and or burnt leaf tips..

I linked a thread for you from the conatiner forums that might shed some light on how soilless mixes work..

I am assuming your plant is in a container?

Also, lava rock, stones, or anything else at the bottom of your container does not promote drainage, but just takes up room in the pot where your roots might have been able to grow to..It also pushes your perched water table higher into the pot. All soil mixes with very fine particles hold a PWT which in turn is the culprit to root rot if not careful..They also compact very quickly, suffocating the roots. It also causes nutrient defficiencies...

If you can, use a wooden dowel to check your moisture in your pots, and you might be suprised to see that there is a lot more moisture into the root zone than you might think when you think your soil is dry with the finger method..

If it were me, I would transplant ASAP into a better soilless mix while it is early in the season..

Good luck

Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: soil discussion

Thank you Mike. Luckily the palms are still fairly small and transplanting will not be too difficult. Thank you for the link.

Cat Palms like to be kept constantly moist, they are almost marginal plants. Maybe you are not watering enough?

x

xerophyte nyc

oh boy, now you've given me something else to think about. Do you have any advice as to how to tell if a plant like a Cat is borderline root rot from too much moisture ?

Thank you for the input.

"I am using the dip stick finger tip method, only watering when my finger feels dry soil at about an inch down although I admit to dousing the pot despite feeling moisture last week because I had the hose out'".

If you are watering your plant despite feeling moisture, then you are over watering or the soil is stay wet, too long.

A fast draining soilless mix that stays moist will be perfect..

I'll bet if you took a look at the roots, they are probably brown, or getting there...

Mike

My cat palm occasionally gets black but it outgrows it. I just keep on cutting the damaged spots to keep it looking good.

Good luck!
-Alex

I think that while the plant is in active growth, and days + nights are warm, it would be difficult to rot the roots unless they are sitting in a completely waterlogged soil.

If the soil isn't watered with enough frequency to leach out salts, many Palm species quickly develop brown leaf tips. They are simply more sensitive to this than most other plants.

Meyermike is right about soil ingredients. But then it becomes difficult to keep an almost aquatic species like the Cats moist enough.

I have a Cyrtostachys renda (red sealing wax Palm) that is also a water hog. The potting mix I use is almost pure Turface. I keep the plant submerged in another container that is always filled with water, enough to keep the bottom half of the root zone sitting in water.

I change the water every few weeks, and mix in some dilute Algoflash and add peroxide to help ward off algae and bacteria. The plant is quite happy, putting on new growth constantly.

Maybe Cats can handle similar treatment? As long as the soil drains decently you should be able to soak it every day easily without a problem.

To rule out a root ailment, you have to inspect the rootball.

x

Coco, I must admit I ahve never grown a Cat palm before..

This being the case, I would heed X's advice more than mine for this one....I did a little research, and they like the conditions that x says..In fact, there have been many times when I needed help, X was there for me in ways X might not realize..

Definately check the roots though as suggested..

X has some nice plants from what I have heard..

By the way, I will always be greatful for your generousity X..Thank You..

Mike