I bought a palm/fern looking plant last year that did not have a tag. It has hardly grown at all and I've had it since last July. When I bought it, it was about 6 inches tall, now it is about 8 inches tall. It has a couple of spikes coming out of it. The leaves are a medium green. I'd like to know how to take care of it, but do not have a name for it, and there isn't a "palm" or "tropical" section in the Plant Files, that I can find. Does anyone have a possibility of a name that I can find searching the Plant Files, or know of another trick on Plant Files that I'm missing? I'm wondering if I need to give it a different type of water (ours is Alkaline) and know what to feed it.
I will ask a friend to bring over a digital camera, but who knows how long that will be.
Without a Camera but need a possible ID
ok. I just typed in "palm" in the plant files. I've only made it through a few pages, but am thinking it might possibly be a Parlor Palm, as it is not a fast grower, and can not handle much sun (I burnt it a little when I first got it within one day, not knowing). I'll try a google. If it is a parlor palm (the pics look alot like it) then I need to add a little vinegar to the water I feed it since it's an acid plant. (The city water department told me how much to add to make it neutral or slightly or very acidic). I tried this on my gardenia last summer and it did very well.
Some palms are very slow growing, as long as it's healthy and you like the way it looks I wouldn't worry too much. I'd add the acid and not make any changes for a while after that- good to see how the plant reacts before making too many changes, that way you know what helped, what didn't, etc.
When you potted it did you add some fertilizer? I add Osmocote to all of my plants when I pot them, it's hard for Osmocote to do much harm. If you are happy w/ the acid change and want to try adding different/more fertilizer I'd suggest one that is Palm or Tropical specific. Also, wouldn't hurt to add SuperThrive to the regimen.
Good luck.
I can't remember whether I fed it or not, when I potted it. Good question. I tried to open my SuperThrive bottle yesterday and it is glued shut. I don't even thing a strong man could pry that bottle open. It is almost empty, as well, so I think it may have got tipped over, etc... during moving & storage. It was fairly full last time I had it. I will have to get some more, because I really like the way it works. It brought a poinsetta back from the dead (practically) one Christmas.
when you said palm/fern looking plant, could it be australian tree fern?
Oh, wixh I had an Austrailian tree fern! a big one, not a little one.
It really looks alot like Palm Bob's pic of the Parlor Palm that's in the PDB. I'll take a pic of it when I get a chance. No trunks have been formed yet.