Expert: Greg Simpson - 11/26/2007

Question
I hope you can help me. I have a Madagascar Palm, that I've had for about 6 mo's. I live in Connecticut, and I put the plant outside in the summer and it grew about 5".I replanted it about a 2 months ago from 6" pot to about a 12" pot. I also have a smaller one that is about 4" tall and that one is now in the 6" pot. My problem is, now that I brought them both inside there leaves are turning black and falling off. I tried treating them for fungus and pest problems but nothing seams to be working. Please help Christina

Answer
Christina,

It sounds like they got a little frost bit before you brought them in. However, your plant loses it leaves in the winter time as they go dormant, this is normal. So you'll want to cut back on the watering as well (water only when the soil is completely dry. Also, as long as there was no damage to the trunk of the plant, it should come back just fine.

One last thing, transplanting a cactus or succulent is best done in the spring or summer, although the fall is OK. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Greg