Why is my kentia on his deathbed?

South Orange, NJ

Hi

I have what I believe is a kentia palm. I got the plant 5 months ago and though it was green, robust and about 5 feet tall at the time, it has not grown past that point. In fact, it started steadily dying about 4 months ago. The plant is situated indoors, near an Western facing window. I was originally watering the plant every 2-3 days, but realized found out that I should have been watering less. So about two months ago, I started watering only about once a week, but still, the plant is dying. Green leaves will start drooping, turn brown and dry (some with a bit of yellow), and eventually fall off (or I'll cut them off). About a month ago, some of the shoots started to droop as well.

Today I the plant out of the pot and shook off a good deal of soil to see if there was root rot, but the roots looked good, as in still white and firm. There were a few shapes in the soil that looked like deflated earthworms though. I also noticed that two out of the three primary stalks were rotted and slimy at the base (see photo). One of them practically fell apart in my hands. I pulled these two out at the base and took pictures of the worse one. So now the tree is repotted: one shoot and two fronds surrounding it. If Charlie Brown had a palm tree, this would be it.

Anyone's input would be greatly appreciated!

-Chris

Thumbnail by pleated_pants Thumbnail by pleated_pants Thumbnail by pleated_pants
Dublin, CA(Zone 9a)

Rotted & slimy suggests to me that there's too much moisture...if you backed off on watering, maybe you didn't back off enough. The symptoms you describe for the leaves can also be consistent with too much water (other things could cause those symptoms too, but given your description of watering habits I'd look to that as the most likely culprit) The potting mix that comes with most plants you buy (or the mix that you buy in bags if you repotted it after purchasing) tend to be water retentive so even though once a week is better than once every 2-3 days, it still could easily be too much water. I'd suggest reading the sticky thread at the top of this forum, there's some great info in there about watering. The good news is if the roots still look healthy for the most part then there's a good chance you can still correct things and save the plant.

South Orange, NJ

@ecrane3

Thanks for your reply! It's true, I did use a moisture-retentive potting mix, though I've since read that sandy soil is better. I'll read on in the sticky thread...

Thanks again!

Dublin, CA(Zone 9a)

Sandy soil is not a good idea in a pot either--it packs together too much and doesn't allow any air in the soil and roots need air as well as water. Definitely read the sticky thread, I think you'll find it helpful.

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