Madagascar palms-care of indoors
 

Anyone with experience with Madagascar palms indoors? Light and
watering-feeding too..thanks AL

First off, "Madagascar palm" is a misnomer.

The genus Pachypodium is a member of the "periwinkle family", Apocynaceae
not the Arecaceae.

Do a Google search. There are enitre websites and groups devoted to nothing
but Pachypodium.


"AL" wrote in message
ups.com...
Anyone with experience with Madagascar palms indoors? Light and
watering-feeding too..thanks AL

Thank you-did that and found contrary statements--water once
amonth-water every two weeks--direct sun vs bright light on the floor
near a window--know what I mean??

I see what you mean. The two current Pachypodium websites listed in the
Cactus Mall are a bit of a disappointment. Both are out-of-date and
incomplete.

http://www.pachypodium.it/English/index_eng.htm

http://www.pachypodium.org/


"AL" wrote in message
oups.com...
Thank you-did that and found contrary statements--water once
amonth-water every two weeks--direct sun vs bright light on the floor
near a window--know what I mean??

AL wrote:
Thank you-did that and found contrary statements--water once
amonth-water every two weeks--direct sun vs bright light on the floor
near a window--know what I mean??

Use free-draining potting mix. I like 2 parts perlite to 1 part peat
in a clay pot. During the summer, place the plant outside in full sun.
In anything less than full sun, you will not get the most attractive
compact growth. Water and fertilize freely and do not allow the soil to
dry for any extended period. What you want is moist but not
waterlogged.

In winter, keep the plant in the brightest light possible. Stop
fertilizing, and reduce watering significantly. You can allow the soil
to dry out completely before watering again. If you keep the plant
bone dry for long periods OR overwater in cool weather, you may lose
the roots. What you want is barely moist. The plant may lose many of
its leaves in autumn or hold them until the new growth begins again in
Spring. In Spring, when day/night temperatures are above 70F/50F, put
the plant back outside.

Revisiting my Madagascar palm-which I have been treating like a cactus
Noted some dark brown or black at ends oof a couple fons-also a frond
will turn yellow and fall off-not ver often-once every 2 weeks or so

The problem I have is that when I bought this plant it was in a closd
container-no drainage and tiny rocklike bits aaround the base--when I
inquired the person I bought it from sai to water once a month with one
cup of water and it's in the north window very little direct light

It's done very well-doubled size good dark green fronds--the problem is
should I transplant it-leave it alone-I was told there were "peanuts"
in the bottom of the pot to absorb the water-I read reently to water
more often so I increased to evey two weeks during the summer-but am
afraid of overwatering-my moisturemeter reads 3-5 dryto moist and says
to water at 3--not sure what to do --any ideas?? al

So what are your misconceptions about growing "cactus"?

http://www.cactus-mall.com/clubs/faq.html


"AL" wrote in message
oups.com...
Revisiting my Madagascar palm-which I have been treating like a cactus
Noted some dark brown or black at ends oof a couple fons-also a frond
will turn yellow and fall off-not ver often-once every 2 weeks or so

The problem I have is that when I bought this plant it was in a closd
container-no drainage and tiny rocklike bits aaround the base--when I
inquired the person I bought it from sai to water once a month with one
cup of water and it's in the north window very little direct light

It's done very well-doubled size good dark green fronds--the problem is
should I transplant it-leave it alone-I was told there were "peanuts"
in the bottom of the pot to absorb the water-I read reently to water
more often so I increased to evey two weeks during the summer-but am
afraid of overwatering-my moisturemeter reads 3-5 dryto moist and says
to water at 3--not sure what to do --any ideas?? al

Am I assuming correctly this is a cactus and not a palm as many have
told me?
My misconceptions cactus a

need little water (once a month)-bright light but not direct

I think what's confusing me most is that this Mad Palm came in a
drainless pot-I have another cactus-telescope I believe that is in a
conventional pot that drains-so I waer once a month until water comes
thru then let finish draining and place back under window --also should
I rely on thes moisture meter as to when to water-it seems to be
agreeing with the way I water all my other plants?? thanks

Pachypodium is a stem succulent genus in the "Periwinkle" family,
Apocynaceae from Madagascar, not a cactus or a palm.

You should water your plant thoroughly when you do and the pot must have
drainage holes in the bottom. The soil should be dry between waterings. A
moisture meter really isn't necessary.

The general cactus & succulent plant care provided here will work for your
plant.

http://www.cactus-mall.com/clubs/faq.html

Here are some Pachypodium websites for more info.

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plan...chypodium.html

http://www.pachypodium.it/

http://www.pachypodium.org/


"AL" wrote in message
ups.com...
Am I assuming correctly this is a cactus and not a palm as many have
told me?
My misconceptions cactus a

need little water (once a month)-bright light but not direct

I think what's confusing me most is that this Mad Palm came in a
drainless pot-I have another cactus-telescope I believe that is in a
conventional pot that drains-so I waer once a month until water comes
thru then let finish draining and place back under window --also should
I rely on thes moisture meter as to when to water-it seems to be
agreeing with the way I water all my other plants?? thanks

Hope I'm not bothering you-if so tell me-think i have p lamerii from
the pics i just looked at that you sent me