Hi Everyone,

We've got two plants with problems.

** We over-watered, that is clear, but neither plant has been watered in over a month and both still have problems.

** both are in a bright room, but no direct sunlight expect a few hours in the afternoon for the unknown plant.

** looking for organic/natural solutions, not chemicals if possible

1) Howea Kentia Palm Problems:

The leaves have large dried (burnt?) brown spots. Any ideas? Are the brown spots a sunburn? From its time in too small a pot (repotted to a larger one in Sept)? will the spots eventually grow out?

Also I was looking at the soil really closely and I breathed and suddenly THOUSANDS of tiny, tiny brown?/red?/orange? mites? started scurrying around. Anyone have any idea what they are? They are about the size of the tip of a mechanical pencil and only seem to move if someone breathes on the soil and they move pretty fast. No bugs on the leaves or in the palm itself, just the soil.

2) 2nd plant. Anyone know what it is?

This poor plant is doing very badly (only a bit better with less water). It is losing its leaves and branches. The leaves start to turn brown and then the whole branch falls off. The remaining branches are rather droopy and the remaining leaves are 'wrinkled'.

Plus there seems to be some kind of dark grey fungus all over the top of the soil. This has kept the soil moist for over a month!!

Should we remove the soil and replant it? I'm afraid of shocking the poor thing since it isn't too healthy.

Thx for the help!

Nicole

PS I don't know how to upload pics so I've put them on flickr

Unknown Plant

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamblingbear/2277839808/

Grey Fungus

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamblingbear/2277047873/in/photostream/

Droopy leaves on unknown plant

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamblingbear/2277839742/in/photostream/

Burnt leaves of Howea Kentia

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamblingbear/2277839502/in/photostream/

Howea Kentia Palm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamblingbear/2277047759/in/photostream/