Question
Read your answer to other question about a Kentia palm and I have similar situation but with mine.

Details: 3 plants growing as a group in same pot.(transplanted into) pot is slightly larger than plastic pot Kentia came in. Current pot is 10 Inches tall, 12 inches at the top and pot tapers down and has 1 drain hole at the bottom. I use Palm/Cactus mix for soil, although I didn't have to add much because pot is only slightly larger. I also put layer of cleaned Lava rock at the bottom for drainage. Plant is about 4/5 ft tall.

Plant sits 3/4 ft away from a west facing window. I use a moisture meter to check for wetness and only water when necc.

Problem I'm having with plant is that entire fronds are turning brown and dry to the point all moisture is gone from the fronds.

It seems like just one frond per plant does this at a time.

I know water quality is important, were on a well here, but with a water softener. I had read that softened water is a no no to water plants with so have started to water with water from the outside spigot that isn't softened, although I have like 30+ palms of all varieties and none of them have any issues like this Kentia. Like most, it wasn't cheap so don't want to loose it.

Looking for advice.

Thank you,

Scott Shaeffer/Omaha

Answer
Scott,

Kentia (Sentry, Thatch Leaf) Palms are not tolerable to severe dryness or continual over watering. They prefer to be moist much of the time, however do allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry before watering again. If frond tips are turning brown and the fronds are droopy, you are probably not watering the plant enough. On the opposite side, if the leaf tips are yellowing then becoming brown, chances are you are over watering the palm. Mark 2 inches on the stem of your water meter and only insert it that deep, if it says dry then it is time to water it even if there is more moisture lower in the pot.  The Kentia, like many palms, is extremely sensitive to chemicals in the water. Therefore be sure to use untreated water for this house plant and all your palms. An hour after you water it empty any excess water out of the drain tray. You can use a turkey baster to do that. If you do that consistently you will not overwater but your plant will stay moist enough too.

The Kentia palm prefers bright, indirect light but will also tolerate lower light levels. In lower light levels the plant's appearance will seem fine; however it just won't quite have the healthy look preferred. If you notice spotting on the upper fronds, the plant may be getting too much bright light, so try and move it to an area with a lower amount of direct sunlight.

Pests are usually not a problem with this house plant. Spider mites may appear. If so, try my home remedy that really hasn't failed me, of spraying the plant once a day with a soapy dishwater and equal amounts of rubbing alcohol mixture. Do this every 3 days for a month making sure that you get the fronts and backs of all fronds. Be consistent and you should get rid of any bugs. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck with all your palms!

Darlene