Lady Finger Palm

LIGHT:  Bright light no direct sunlight. 

WATERING:  Keep well-watered during the growth period but allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering in Winter. 

NUTRIENT:  Apply complete plant food during Spring and Summer, do not feed in the cooler months. 

TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY:  Normal room temperatures, cooler in Winter.  These plants will tolerate cooler temperatures than most palms.  Humidity is best kept high particularly when the weather is hot and dry. 

FLOWERS:  These plants may produce a spray of pink flowers. 

SIZE:  Lady palms can grow up to 1.5 m in width and height. 

PROBLEMS:  Poor conditions may be the result of draughts, hot direct sun, or inadequate or irregular watering.  Roots may rot in heavy, poorly drained soil.  Mealybugs and scale are pests which may be a problem. 

SPECIAL CARE:  Wipe fronds clean with a damp cloth to keep them free of dust.  This is a slow-growing palm so it should not need to be re-potted for a couple of years, if it does need re-potting do it in Spring when the weather is warming up.  Trimming off older, dry brown leaves is the only pruning necessary. 

BOTANIC NAME:  Rhapis Excelsa