Dear Purple, I do appreciate your experience, your love for plants, and you concern for helping others nurture their own passion. My feelings are quite the same as yours, but my experience is different. What I've learned is that the critical factor in having healthy, beautiful plants is soil moisture/aeration cycles. Perhaps if anyone has found their plants doing better as soon as they ended the "wet saucer" practice, it was not so much that in itself, but other factors that were allowing the plant(s) to reach more favorable aeration levels between waterings. There are always many variables in operation. What I do know is that by ascertaining the soil moisture throughout the medium in which the plant is growing (meaning all the way to the bottom of the pot), and by allowing the moisture/aeration ration to reach the optimum level for that particular variety of plant, you are taking the first, largest, and most important step in assuring a long and beautiful life for your plants. This is not "arcane anecdotes," but practice established over 50 years, by 1000's of people, and millions of plants. I'm not saying what you, or anyone else, are doing is wrong. On the contrary, if your plants are thriving, if they make you happy and beautify your life, it is totally right. But don't you think people who are seeking advice should be able to consider several possible approaches? What about very busy people; even if they feel they can spare no more than a few minutes a week on plants, shouldn't they be able to have plants if they are willing to spend those few minutes? These are the people I'd like to encourage. Maybe some of them will get "bit by the bug," and end up with a thousand plants in their home ( the 1000 plant thing, as related in the 'first plant' thread, just blows my mind), using all sorts of culture methods - hydroponics, gritty mixes, tree bark, self-mixed soil recipes, exotics in environmentally-controlled cases the size of half a room. Who knows? So, to address a few of the matters you bring up, from my point of view -- 1) yes, newly potted-up plants are susceptible to rotted roots - all the more reason to get in there and make sure the soil has aerated thoroughly. (Also not-too-large pots, more porous medium, etc.) 2) it's not the roots growing through the drainage holes that "suck up" water in liners; the water actually moves back into the soil/root mass from the liner through those drainage holes, and spreads evenly throughout the pot volume, if the medium has a good particle/space ratio, where it is then available to the roots. 3) distinction between corporate and personal plants - (hoping I can shed some light on the interior landscape business here). First of all, it's a business, meaning it has to make a profit or it's out of business. Replacements are costly - therefore the technician must keep the plants looking beautiful (not just "clinging to life") as long as possible, or they cut into an already slim profit margin. Secondly, people are paying to have beautiful plants, and that is how they must be kept, or the customer find a new service. Thirdly, people get very attached to "their" plants - the people whose offices have plants, people who have plants near their desks, and the tech taking care of the plants. Fourth, corporate plants are not generally put into "adverse conditions" "at the limits of their endurance" "clinging to life" - no profit in it; contracts require that plants be placed in adequate light and protected conditions. So it might not be like having some of grandma's plants, but folks still love the plants that help make the corporate world a little less cold. I could go on and on. I'm sure everyone thinks I've already gone on way too long as it is. So you disagree with me? Cool! I love to examine differing viewpoints from varied angles, to try and pick out the threads of insight that knit together seemingly opposing positions. Oh yea, those nasty plastic disks in the bottom of some plants. I honestly don't know why they're so bad, they have holes and all and should just let water through, but they don't. I just know if you find them, you should take them out and throw them away.

Tiff: My parlor palm didn't even make it to the repot stage, since its roots were bad bad bad! Even making it this far is an accomplishment! Everyone keeps reminding us that there is an adjustment period. I have two dracaena sanderiana in the SAME POT. (They are friends and I couldn't bear to separate them!) Since repotting into the 5-1-1, one of them has new growth and seems really happy. The other one is turning brown, so I'm considering removing it. Sometimes plants like things and other times, they don't. Also, my jades have lost a few leaves. But the top/remaining ones look healthy, so I'm not worried about them. Sending positive plant vibes your parlor palm's way and your sheff's way! It's still early. Be patient! Remember, if one plant doesn't make it, it leaves room for a new one! -Rachel

Tiff LOL dont be silly lady, im just gonna jump on all Your threads, post MY pics, get my answeres, and let You look like the bad guy! hehee seriously we're ALL learning, from Each Other, thats whats soo cool bout this joint (i think) ...and the Fun along the way. btw i dont (Hate) Anybody. or anything,, cept Stink Bugs! dem im goin to War on hehe oh may bad (5.1.1) of course,, hmm I'll try it on something to get a reference (perspective), heck ive got like every soil ammendment ingredient known to Man! lol ..been wantin to anyway :) yea big plants Are impressive, but i really like 'miniatures' in Lots of things, not just plants,, plus i dont have the space,,, i actually enjoy picking up each plant (on weekends, when ive the time) and taking to my lighted magnifier Lamp, giving em the once over before taking em to the sink,,, its kind of a bonding thing sorta,, Not like breast-feeding acourse! lol oh wow, yea i wasnt aware he was strugglin a bit, and the expense, Sorry to hear that Tiff, i'll definitely put you n your family on my Prayer list. :) hmm ive never married, thus no kids, so i dont know the 'joys',,, but man, talk about 'taking-the-good-with-the-bad' your probably thinkin (somedays) 'is this Really what i Wanted'? hmm,, wow really Nice sentiment Polly :) dang Polly? you type soo much younger than that!? hehe :)~ shoot its too late 4 pics, tomm maybe,, you kids in bed then, now? i gotta learn military time lol Night all, Tiff,, 110 oz's?? really, im not even gonna ask hehee i can still catch a cpl mins of Avat...rrr...zzzzzz

Hi Bouldergrower, I have several Parlor Palms in my house. I'm not sure what Zone you're in, but here in central Fl., they will grow outside, under some shade. They do very well as an indoor palm too. In their native regions of south america/Mexico, they grow as a solitary palm. You should try to single a couple out. they look good in a pot by themselves. I love this palm because it is quite easy to grow, and deal with neglect well. They can get about 6 or 7 foot tall.