Where I live, the average is a mere 32 inches or so. This year, we ended up with 42 inches. Plus, it's cooler here than say, Oklahoma, although it can get hot. The weirdest thing is how dry this winter has been so far. By this time last year, and the year before for that matter, we were running out of places to pile snow. One of my kids moved to Olympia, WA recently. That locale seems to be getting plenty of moisture lately! I think 'effective precipitation' is really the key, as others have already pointed out. Overall, I think we're seeing fewer "three day rains", where it comes down slowly but for a long time. It's all big downpours now, with the accompanying runoff. But with this current drought, gotta wonder where we're headed for the next growing season. +oM

HELP MY PARLOR PALM Three weeks ago I bought two palms that I believe to be Chamaedorea Elegans, commonly known as a parlour palms. They are living but not thriving and thus I seek advice from those familiar with this plant. Container Each plant still rests in a plastic store planter that is 8" in height and 10" in diameter with four 1 "side drainage holes. Plant Size One plant has three large stems that directly abut each other at the base. The largest of the stems has 5 offshoots that bear leaves, the next largest stem also has 5 offshoots, and the smallest has four. This plant measures 4 feet at its highest point and 3 feet in leaf spread at its widest point. The second plant is somewhat larger with two large stems and one small stem that directly abut each other at the base. The largest of the stems has 6 offshoots that bear leaves, the next largest stem also has 6 offshoots, and the smallest has three. This plant measures 4 feet at its highest point and 4 feet in leaf spread at its widest point. Light I have placed each plant at opposite ends of a large picture window with curtains partially drawn where it receives direct morning light and indirect light thereafter in a city (Syracuse, NY) not renowned for sunny days. I have rotated the plants weekly. Water With the plants I purchased a "Rapitest" digital moisture meter from Lusterleaf. Its watering chart refers only to a "palm" without regard to type or size and with a meter wilt point of 3-4, below which you water and above which you do not water. When I asked for more detailed plant directions, Lusterleaf said they have none. I have therefore tried to maintain the watering level at around 4 with about 1 and one half cup of weekly water for each plant. I also have sprayed the leaves of each plant with water once a week. Condition of Plants Last week the tips of many leaves were brown. I trimmed these brown tips. This week I noticed that the ends of many leaves were beginning to droop as opposed to displaying the rigidity that I believe defines healthy leaves. Some of the leaves also were developing long yellow streaks and losing the solid, dark green color that I believe defines healthy leaves. Infestation I shake the leaves weekly while placing white paper below them to detect mites. I have not detected any mites. Fertilizer or Plant Food I have not added fertilizer or plant food to the potting soil in which the palms were planted at the time of purchase. Requested Advice I would be deeply grateful for advice on improving the condition and care of my plants and particularly for recommended readings of the Rapitest meter (Lusterleaf was of utterly no assistance) or of alternate watering measures.

No, this isn't my first winter up here. I grew up in the Rochester area, and moved away five years ago, for Florida. I lived in Tampa for two years and loved the beaches there! I then moved over to the East Coast for the last three years. I lived in Palm Bay. I have to get used to this 50 degree weather DURING THE DAY! This was the weather that we might have in February at night! So why am I moving here? My family all live here and I really wanted to get back to a more natural cycle than Florida offered. I guess you can't take the New York out of me! So now I can learn to snowshoe near Lake Ontario, sample wine in the Finger Lakes, and see all of the fall foliage at Letchworth! In my Florida garden I had a beautiful Bismark palm, several foxtails, bottle, spindle, triangle, queen and teddy bear! I will have to try a needle palm here when I'm more settled as I adore the palms. Isn't there a book out on "Crape Myrtles Won't Grow Here--and other myths"?? I think I have to get this one! DGordon...let us know about your crape myrtle here! At least they offer more year round interest than the powdery-mildew prone lilacs. It's sad to say, but I'm not impressed with the look of the lilac plants this year. What variety did you buy? Christinpalm...I will have to look up that sabal palm in my books! I just think, even if it's a slow-growing palm and not a twenty foot tree, it will be interesting to have that in the garden here! Thanks guys Mark

Are you sure that is a Triangle Palm (Dypsis). It kinda looks like a Hyophorbe (Spindle species). But I have confused these two in the past, so you may be right. You have provided no zonal information. Florida is a BIG state with a lot of variation in the winter between the north and the south. How cold has it gotten by you? (Triangles are more cold hardy than Spindles, btw.) What is the soil like? Has rain been decent? If the palm came from a lowlight environment and then went out into full sun, that can bleach the older leaves. Otherwise, I am clueless on this one.