Troubleshooting
Preston's Palm problems — and how to fix them
Preston's Palm (Dypsis prestoniana) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Growth arrest in suboptimal temperatures
Growth virtually halts below 18°C, and temperatures below 12°C cause cold damage to fronds. In glasshouses, provide supplemental heating and draught-proofing in winter. Any cold shock shows as frond browning and collapse of the emerging spear leaf.
Magnesium deficiency
Older fronds show broad yellow banding along leaflet margins while the midrib remains green — classic interveinal chlorosis of magnesium deficiency. Apply magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts) at 30 g per 10 litres of water as a soil drench, and use a palm fertiliser routinely containing Mg.
Prevent preston's palm problems before they start
Most preston's palm issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Preston's Palm problems — FAQ
Why is my preston's palm growth arrest in suboptimal temperatures?
Growth virtually halts below 18°C, and temperatures below 12°C cause cold damage to fronds. In glasshouses, provide supplemental heating and draught-proofing in winter. Any cold shock shows as frond browning and collapse of the emerging spear leaf.
Why is my preston's palm magnesium deficiency?
Older fronds show broad yellow banding along leaflet margins while the midrib remains green — classic interveinal chlorosis of magnesium deficiency. Apply magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts) at 30 g per 10 litres of water as a soil drench, and use a palm fertiliser routinely containing Mg.