Hello All,

I have come to own a Majesty Palm over the holidays. Never having to care for one before I did some online research and found that they can be a challenge and many people have problems keeping them healthy(according to the sites). Too bad I didn't know that beforehand. It was healthy and green when I brought it home and has quickly gone downhill. The leaves are shriveling, turning brown and wilting. It is in a super fast draining medium(the original) in indirect sunlight and I've been watering it every few days. The directions said bright sun and water when soil is dry. That was as detailed as they got.

I'd like to have a nice sized indoor plant and thought this was a good option. Any advice on what I'm doing wrong? Should I go with another type?

Thanks,
Chops

They need very high humidity to look good. If you ask me they are a pain in the but. You would be better off getting a Kentia palm.

Thanks Laaz. The site suggested the very same Kentia as a substitute. Maybe I can find one somewhere. In the meantime I will try to save this one. It will be tricky to get the room it's in to be high in humidity.

Chops you can always find them on Ebay cheap. You will also have to mist them quite often when they are inside in the dry heat.

The trouble is, the spot that I want to put it in has somewhat low light. It is in the corner of a room that has North and East facing windows (the north windows are under a porch roof). There would be no direct light and at best moderate ambient light for a couple of hours a day in summer. Am I right in assuming that Kentia needs brighter conditions?

What attracted me to the Majesty palm was it's fullness, green color and height. Is there another option that can do well in the above conditions year round and still have these qualities? Should I consider something other than a palm?

Chops, you are NOT GIVING THE TREE NEARLY ENOUGH WATER. I have a Majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis) that has been growing in the greenhouse for approximately 3 years now. I have it in a 15 gallon container, using a heavy growing medium with some 1/2 inch CHC husks added to keep the water level high in the growth medium. Majesty palms are nearly an aquatic tree and it is difficult, if not IMPOSSIBLE, to give them too much moisture. It likes a rich, even mucky soil and good sun when older. The tree is fast growing when given enough water. Majesty palms are native to Madagascar, where the tree grows along the banks of rivers, in swamps, and along the edge of the rain forest. Even the tree's name (Ravenea rivularis) means "Of the rivers." They should be grown in bright light, but out of direct sun when young, moving into full sun when a little older. I have mine located in an area that gets a lot of winter sun. It is doing very well. I feed it with Osmocote 17-7-12 slow release fertilizer and S. T. E. M. trace minerals. - Millet

Hi Chops, what was growing conditions of palm when you bought it? I have my palms in east windows in a cool room (which makes humidity higher). Never had a problem, but I don't grow Majesty. If it is really fast draining, maybe it needs a good flushing - to soak?? Sometimes roots can be so rootbound that water just runs thru & middle roots don't absorb water. I'd try a good flushing or shower in bathtub (the tree - not you LOL). Make a small trench near center & pour lots of water there. Good luck & keep us posted. Hey, Happy New Year!
(make room for those fig cuttings!)

Patty- I bought it at Ikea believe it or not. It was inside a warehouse with no sunlight but overhead flourescent lights. I have no idea how long they were sitting there. They could have been new arrivals. The soil is the fastest draining I have ever seen. The water literally fell right through. It is very light also-like styrofoam.

Millet- Sounds like I need to repot it. I never thought of CHC- will try that. I have some 1/4 inch CHC left over- and maybe I should add some compost? I keep it in a room where the temps range from 60-70 and humidity in the low 60's (in winter).

Laaz- I ordered a 20-30"Kentia from Ebay. I figured what the heck! Now I've been bitten by the palm bug. Would I re-pot this into a similar medium as the Majesty?

Chops, like I said Majesty Palms like a heaver soil. In Madagascar, the tree's native home, they grow in soils all the way up to a muck. Some also grow in the swamps. So be sure that you don't grow a Majesty under dry conditions. - Millet

Chops the Kentia will do well in the same medium as the Majesty. You may want to try some type of Trachycarpus as well. They are awesome palms that grow very slow & will do great even if neglected...