Spider Plant Root Bound: Repotting Fix

Reviving a Root-Bound Spider Plant with Shriveling Leaves Post-Christmas spider plant has dead lower leaves despite good light and weekly water. Roots visible at drainage holes and surface. Solution Nick says pot-bound

Miniature Orange Tree Recovery from Overwatering

Saving a Citrus Tree from Soggy Roots and Leaf Drop A miniature orange tree dropped healthy leaves at a touch. Seller said water when top inch dry; soil is sandy/rocky. White gel balls in soil. Root Cause and Fix Citru

Foxtail Fern Hardiness and Propagation

Growing Foxtail Ferns North of the Subtropics Owner asks how far north foxtail ferns survive outdoors and how to propagate. Answers Zones 9-11 (Florida, parts of Texas) for in-ground. In containers, move indoors in win

Foxtail Palm Freeze Damage: Don't Water!

Why Watering Cold-Stressed Foxtails Makes It Worse Three summer-planted foxtails got frozen unprotected. All fronds and center spike brown. Owner waters but cant daily. Critical Advice Nick says stop watering. Cold-stre

Palm Collapse from Root Rot and Larvae

Why a Large Palm Snapped at the Base A 20-30 ft palm leaned, then broke. Inside: white worms eating mushy wood. Owner fears for 11 others. Diagnosis Nick says root rot from excess moisture killed the palm; larvae are se

Foxtail Palm Freeze Protection and Pruning

Managing Foxtail Palms After Panhandle Florida Freeze Foxtails planted in April turned brown after months of cold. Owner uses lights, blankets, tarps during freeze warnings. Asks if dead fronds should be cut or left. Ex

Ponytail Palm Brown Tips with New Growth

Interpreting Mixed Signals on a Ponytail Palm A 2-year-old ponytail has curly leaves, brown tips for 3-4 months, but lots of new top growth. Owner cut back watering, no fertilizer. Assessment Nick says new growth proves

Pygmy Palm Decline After Florida Freeze

Monitoring a Young Pygmy Palm Post-Freeze A 4-month-old pygmy palm worsened after a freeze; owner cut brown ends but decline continues. Advice Nick says extensive cold damage occurred. Only patience works: prune dead fr

Variegated Spider Plant Producing Green Pups

Why Do Variegated Spider Plants Revert to Green? Owner asks if solid-green pups on a variegated spider plant are common. Explanation Nick says many variegated plants revert to parent form in propagations. Most pups will

Pruning Freeze-Damaged Queen Palm Fronds

When to Trim Cold-Burned Queen Palm Fronds Three young queen palms in Florida have brown, lacy fronds from one extreme cold night. Owner hates to lose the long fronds but wonders if theyll heal. Rule of Thumb Nick says:

Planting and Fertilizing Bare-Root Baby Bananas

Rescuing Mail-Order Banana Plants Eleven Basjoo baby bananas arrived bare-root with black spots. Owner cut stems to 2 inches, planted in yard (zone 9). Asks planting depth and fertilizer. Guidance Black spots normal in

Sudden Browning in New Home Depot Palm

Emergency Care for a Rapidly Declining Palm A 5-6 foot palm from Home Depot browned by day 3, half burnt by day 7. Kept in solarium with indirect light, watered weekly. Immediate Steps Keep receipt—Home Depot has 1-yea

Organic Control for Night-Feeding Caterpillars on Jasmine

Protecting Night-Blooming Jasmine in South Florida Night-blooming jasmine new shoots and buds are eaten nightly. Owner seeks organic solution due to shallow aquifer. Expert Suggestion Nick identifies night caterpillars

Ginger Plant Root Rot from Winter Shade Wetness

Why Shade-Grown Gingers Rot in Winter Three gingers in shade did well 8 months, then browned from center outward in winter. Leaves pull out easily. Diagnosis Nick says shade + winter = soil stays wet and cold at night,

Why Banana Leaves Hold Water Beads

Natural Water Beads on Banana Plants Owner asks why banana leaves retain water beads and whether to water from top or bottom. Explanation Bananas are 70% water; beads are natural transpiration. Water from top to provide

Bromeliad Watering: The Cup Method

Proper Watering for Tropical Bromeliads Owner heard to put warm water in the cup (center) not the soil to avoid rot. Correct Technique Half cup water in the cup, half in soil. Refill cup when nearly dry; water soil onl

Saving a Potted Palm with No Drainage Holes

Rescuing a Palm from a Sealed Terracotta Pot A small potted palm has dried top, yellow stalks, white growth with black spots at base. Pot is large terracotta with no drainage holes; soil is sandy. Owner waters twice week

Reviving Container Sago Palms with Fresh Soil

Why Potted Sago Palms Turn Brown While In-Ground Ones Thrive Potted sagos are brown and unhealthy; neighbors in-ground sagos are green. Root Cause Nick says pots likely have compacted root balls from old soil. Water run

Kentia Palm Watering and Light Adjustment

Correcting Kentia Palm Care After Overwatering Two kentias in semi-sun show brown tips, then yellowing after heavy watering. Owner asks how to speed soil drying and if watering method is correct. Fixes Light: Move to d

Australian Tree Fern Height Control: Can You Top It?

Why You Should Not Cut an Australian Tree Ferns Trunk Two large Australian tree ferns died back in winter but have new shoots at the center. Owner asks if cutting the trunk midway will force new growth like a banana. Ex