What kind of soil is good for my cat palm tree.?

Question

I got a cat palm tree from a freind and some of the soil is missing and I was wondering if anyone knows what type I need, or some helpful links to some website on how to take care of it. I live in chicago so I don't know if I have to have a differernt type of soil then a warmer city would. The tree is in my house.

Answer 1

The "Cat palm" is known under the botanical name of; Chamaedorea cataractarum. This particular palm can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions so you can probably use a sterilized potting soil that provides good drainage. From what I've read they like the soil to have a pH in the low (acidic) to moderate (neutral) range.

Your Cat Palm will do well in your home....light requirements are low to moderate (direct sun is not good)
Keep soil moist NOT wet
This palm is hardy and will need fertilizer only 2 times a year. Add a 8-4-12 palm fertilizer with micronutrients to drip line in June and September

Watch for spider mites.

Below are some sites you can use for reference:

http://palmguide.org/palmsearch.php?clicksrc=cloud&query=chamaedorea

http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/folnotes/chamaed.htm

http://www.gardenamor.com/pgSmallPalms.htm#5

Hope this helps. GOOD LUCK!