Tom, spider mites are difficult to spot. By the picture, leaves look like mite infestation. Try this test. Place a white sheet of paper under palm leaves..Tap leaves in different sections. After a few taps, check paper. If you see teeny-weeny dots, 'slow movers,' these are mites. They come if a few colors. Depending on your eyesight, you may need a magnifying glass. Mites are really tiny. Both plants need high humidity. Truthfully, your palm is going to require work, including pruning. Your Calathea is fine. It just needs trimming off brown, 'leave about 1/8" of brown on edges,' and spray/shower. Do your plants stand where you took the pictures? Any windows? Tom, both plants need medium light, humidity and fresh, circulating air. What's the temp in Long Beach? If it's warm, and your plants are confined indoors, open a window. You asked, 'what else might it be?' What I'm seeing looks like mites. I wish I could say, reduce or increase water and your palm will look like it'd just came from the nursery..:) Rhizo agrees your palm has mites. She works with plants, and I respect her opinion. If you don't find insects on the white sheet of paper, perhaps different pictures, a couple views, will help..Toni Mites aren't fussy where one lives. lol.

Aggierose, is this what you are after? Click the link below. "Horton" Here is a link that might be useful: Frog eating Fish

I always thought grafting of Japanese maples was done in the Spring prior to bud break. I can't make your links work. Mike

Hello Everyone! Thanks for your quick response regarding the health of my plant. Reading your comments i come to think it is fertilizer... the beads pop when you squish them and its kind of fun. I was scared for the health of my plant because I just realized the beads after i got back from a weekend trip.... and since its my first plant i wanted to make sure i wasnt killing it. Again thanks for your comments now i can go on happy with my plant! Thanks Jennifer