Is This Root Rot on my Majesty Palm?

8 years ago

I posted this in Houseplants about 20 hours ago and it's not showing up. I don't know why, but I really need any answer!

I got this Majesty Palm from Home Depot a couple of weeks ago. I repotted it about a week ago, obviously raised and widened it a few inches from the grower's pot. I used half potting soil, half cactus/succulent soil, and a tiny bit of dirt from the hillside where a ton of our giant Aloe grows green-green-green. I also gave it ample drainage. I wondered if it was too much maybe.

I'm in Los Angeles where we are having a record-breaking heat wave. I've been doing my best to keep it moist, but Friday one side got scorched (as seen in the picture) -- it peaked at 123 degrees --so I turned it to the shade today. The other side may be affected today, as it hasn't been much cooler. Just keeping my eye out and watering it when it starts drying out.

So here are the issues, and I may be paranoid? I usually am -- fair warning.

Yesterday, I noticed that one side of one of the stalks was darkening, possibly working its way up? I'm not sure because I hadn't noticed it before. Does this look normal? Is it too dark? Normal color? I get nervous it's root rot and keep reading about how easily these plants die from that. I've already nearly lost my dragon tree, and thank goodness, thanks to this forum, I saved it.

Also, I didn't plant the stalk super tight into the soil and wonder if that was a bad thing. I bought more soil today to maybe fix that.

I realize this palm is not indoors and I am posting in "houseplants," but I purchased it as a houseplant, then saw more of these outside in the sun at Home Depot.

Any info is much appreciated.

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Comments (5)

Kim in PL (SoCal zone 10/Sunset 24)
8 years ago
Normally a Majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis) will take full sun and as much water as you can give it. The record-breaking temperatures would stress any plant. Move the plant away from the glass while the weather is hot -- it is likely the reflected glare that toasted the frond tips.

I'm not sure about the darkening of the stalks -- that could be sunburn. That could occur if the plant just came out of a greenhouse, but it will adjust. Most problems show themselves in the leaves first, and except for the one scorched leaf, the leaves look fine.

Soil should be pressed firmly around the rootball to avoid air pockets. Check to be sure drainage is good. Keep soil damp, but not soggy. In Madagascar, this palm will grow alongside rivers and IN shallow ponds, so it will be difficult to overwater it. Most people do not give them enough water. Ordinarily one would not include garden dirt in a potted mix. You never know what's in it and it can tend to be heavy. However, unless it was a large portion of the potting mix, don't disturb the plant by repotting again.

Later, when the palm is better established in the pot, you may lightly fertilize it, and continue fertilizing periodically until temperatures become much cooler and growth pauses for winter. Then ramp up again in spring.

A well grown specimen will develop a very fat trunk base over time. And it's not really a houseplant in Los Angeles -- feel free to plant outdoors when it outgrows the pot. Enjoy your palm!
User thanked Kim in PL (SoCal zone 10/Sunset 24)
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Original Author
8 years ago
@kiminpl You've just made me feel a whole lot better and given me a plethora of useful information. I thank you so very much! :)
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pj_orlando_z9b
8 years ago
Maybe I'm missing something but I not seeing anything wrong with it at the base. Mine is in the ground here in Orlando and I have lots of decaying material near the trunk. Some black as well. The dried fronds could be for many reasons. Transplant alone could be a culprit. They do like higher humidity so the dry air alone could be contributing to it. I think your plant is showing normal signs of adjusting to it's new home.
User thanked pj_orlando_z9b
User
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you pj, more reassurance that I am going okay here. :)
Matt z5b - Greenhouse 10a
8 years ago
Where do you live? Lay off the water for a couple days unless it continues to be over 100 F