I have five kentias, three in the ground in full sunlight, having planted them a few years ago. The other two are on the northern exposure side of my house, and are very slow growing. The three in full sun did well for about a year or so, then suffered mightily from a rare, rare cold snap here in Ventura back in February. But all in all, they're making a great comeback, and I look forward to their beautifull umbrella-like fronds restoring fully by next spring. I have over thirty palms, a few cycads, and a few ferns (Aussie Tree, Tasmanian, Meyers, etc, and the battle seems to be that, when growing tropical plants at 34 degrees north and beyond, one has to remember to be patient; this is not their home environment. They will grow slower, suffer setbacks, and generally be less vigorous as they slowly adapt to their new climate. Light level is very important, for in equatorial climes, the sun is almost directly overhead year round; thus the symmetry most tropical plants exhibit. And watering there is a daily thing - even the so-called "dry season" brings at least light rain each day. And so, consider that a palm or cycad or fern is being asked a lot when planting this far (or further) north - a good soaking once a week or so during summer, then back off during winter months, when most tropical plants nearly "shut down". All sorts of blogs have been posted, but it all comes down to this: Every plant on Earth has one thing in common - the roots seek water. Therefore, when planting or potting, always remember to put a good layer of sand beneath the root ball, and around it with about a 50/50 mix of sand and Cactus Mix around the sides of the planting hole when filling. Watering will thus suround the roots and leach downward and beyond the lower portions of the roots through the sand, causing the roots to "seek" the water below, establishing in not to much time a healthy root system.

The other Grape fern ( Bortrechium disectum ,Lacy leaf type ) hasn't yet put up a fertile cluster frond,I dont know if they do every year,but it put up the newer single leaf frond.The other photo was not of a lacy leaf type.Here is the picture of the new leaf

Hi, Thanks for all your comments. What seems so strange is the fact that all the plants - especially the heucheras - have put out all this new spring growth so early. They usually aren't this size until May. All the heucheras/ heucherellas,etc.at the entrance get only about a half day of sun. There are a few that get almost full sun but they do prefer part shade here. Last week, Richard Greyfuss was mad at me. Here he is looking furious. Here's why. This stray cat ( whom I feel so sorry for and feed when he comes around) was visiting. Greyfie doesn't like him at all. I call him Fluff Bunny. Sorry, way off topic!

Just an update..... The seller finally got back in touch with me....wanted to know what the problem was and if he should send another plant. I guess a lesser person would have taken advantage of that offer, but 1 coconut is enough for right now. Wrote back and described the dark spot, will have to wait and see what his 'diagnosis' is....whatever caused that dark spot, I'm convinced it happened before the palm got shipped. I can say the brown streak has shown marked improvement. If this was due to me applying the fungicide, potting the palm up, giving it some fresh water, or just getting it out of the box and into some sunshine...who knows? andyandy, The more I look at the that frond, the more it appears to be the oldest one. If not, next to the oldest, since the new leaf spear is coming up between the 2.