Chamaedorea indoor plant - help please, it was my mum's

cagneyfan

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping for some simple advice. I've tried looking on the internet but just getting bogged down.

I have a Chamaedorea palm that must be about 15 years old.

1. The leaves at the tip are brown. Some of the new leaves that are still unfurled are also brown - what causes that and how do I mend it? The plant feels quite dry and brittle, but I'm told brown leaves means overwatering, so I don't want to pour more in unless I'm told it's right to do so. I've also just read that brown leaves can mean underwatering!!!!

2. At the bottom there's a sticky sap substance. Is that normal?

3. I had a load of flies last year that I couldn't get rid of. In the end I bought a bag of compost and repotted it (terrified in case I killed the plant), now I've noticed there are some flies again - what do I do as I've used 'bug clear'/

Any help would be gratefully received as the plant was my mums and I know it may sound daft, but I can't bear to chuck it as I really like it, but mainly because it was mam's. I also hate the idea that I'm neglecting it.

I don't really know how often to water it or how much. It's in a big pot and is about 2ft.

cagneyfan

Just to let you know how useless I am with plants. I once had a moneyplant (I believe they're practically impossible to harm)

Well, I touched mine once and all the leaves fell off!!

alanobrien

Chamaedorea elegans ? Is usually very tolorant. Under water rather than over water especially at this time of year.

Brown leaves suggests lack of light to me, very common in winter with my palms. I solve this with additional lighting.

Where is it positioned ? Can you give it more light ?

cagneyfan

alanobrien wrote: »

Chamaedorea elegans ? Is usually very tolorant. Under water rather than over water especially at this time of year.

Brown leaves suggests lack of light to me, very common in winter with my palms. I solve this with additional lighting.

Where is it positioned ? Can you give it more light ?

It's on a table next to the radiator about 3 foot away from a window

Mojisola

I would suspect the warm, dry air from the radiator isn't doing it any favours. If you can't find another place for it, then misting it would help.

cagneyfan

I was just looking at my plant again today, and some of the new leaves that are coming out are coming out already brown. One was also very sticky - what's causing this and what shall I do?

I'm currently watering the plant once a week, but I have no idea how much water I should use

Mojisola

If it's sticky, there's a good chance there are insects on it. Have a close look and see what's there.

Watering once a week sounds too much at this time of year. Water the plant well. Pick the pot up and see how heavy it feels. Leave it to get dry and feel how much lighter it is. Use the difference in weight to judge whether it needs water. You can let it get quite dry before giving it more water.

Have you been misting it?

cagneyfan

Hi,
no I haven't been misting it, I thought I wasn't meant to get any water on the leaves. I'm sure that's what it said of the tag attached to it.

I have noticed a few little flies. Last year there was loads. I sprayed it etc but nothing got rid. They were everywhere! In the end I took the plant outside, emptied the whole pot, got rid of the soil and washed the roots of the plant to get rid of the rest of the soil and then washed the plant pot and then put fresh soil in and the flies stayed away - but the !!!!!!s are back. Little black flies.

What do I do to get rid of them please. I know it's just a plant, but like I said, it was my mam's and frankly I'm amazed I've still got it. It's a nice looking plant too - well it was till the leaves started to brown and get sticky and now have guests!!!

Mojisola

If the black flies are coming from the soil, they are a nuisance but won't be doing much harm. Do these look like them - https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advice/pests_and_diseases/nonflash_index.shtml?black_fungus_gnats] They won't be making the plant sticky.

The plant could have scale insects on it - https://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=scale%20insect&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1243&bih=970

If the label said not to get water on the leaves, then don't. Maybe you have have a browse through some pictures and identify the plant you have - https://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&source=imghp&biw=1243&bih=970&q=Chamaedorea&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

westiea

Check for insects called Red Spider mite. They suck the sap from the leaves causing them to prematurely die.
They are very common on these palms and thrive in a warm dry atmosphere - the most effective treatment method is a biological control or you can use a pesticide but as they are so small and hide underneath the leaves it makes spray treatment more difficult.

Take Mojisolas excellent advice re over watering.

You need to raise the humidity around the plant or you will just keep those mites in an ideal environment to flourish.. Look here for suggestions - I would definitely mist the plant and make a Humidify tray for the plant to sit on.

ERICS_MUM

westiea wrote: »

Check for insects called Red Spider mite. They suck the sap from the leaves causing them to prematurely die.
They are very common on these palms and thrive in a warm dry atmosphere - the most effective treatment method is a biological control or you can use a pesticide but as they are so small and hide underneath the leaves it makes spray treatment more difficult.

Take Mojisolas excellent advice re over watering.

You need to raise the humidity around the plant or you will just keep those mites in an ideal environment to flourish.. Look here for suggestions - I would definitely mist the plant and make a Humidify tray for the plant to sit on.

Red spider mites are common on house plants in dry air. Have a careful look at the plant for their very fine "cobwebs" which are a tell-tale sign.