A tale of 2 C. Cataractarum

[JohnAndSancho]

I'm starting to wonder if my little Cataractarum is a goner. I had another post where i mentioned that I used a fine "top dressing" sand thinking it'd help with soil drainage and it just plugged all the drainage in the pot. It lost a sucker, and I keep trimming the dried black ends and yellow/black leaves off of it, and every day there's more black. I did repot it and got all the sand out a week ago, didn't notice any root rot. 

 

It's big brother has been in this corner since I've had it, and all it does is grow. I've had to cut a few stalks off of the big one too, but it hasn't missed a beat. 

 

Do y'all think the little guy is salvageable? How long should I wait to see improvement after the repotting? Should I just yeet it into the dumpster and buy a chambeyronia macrocarpa? 

[JohnAndSancho]

Additionally, do y'all think it'd help me if I added some Superthrive or fish emulsion to its next watering? I've read all the posts about Superthrive, but I've got it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ if I can get this little guy on par with his big brother, I'm here for it. 

Edited December 30, 2020 by JohnAndSancho
Added a comment.

[sashaeffer]

Ok I have tried LOTS of Chamadorea species and the Cat palm in particular. First throw out what palmpedia says about watering. That advice doesn't mean anything for Chamadorea species that live indoors, OR come indoors in the winter.

 

I have a cat palm that I bought at ACE hardware store for $10 years ago and reading they like water proceed to water it even when brought indoors for winter. It quickly went downhill just like my other Chamaedorea would. 

Discovered they like to be almost bone dry during the Winter or at least VERY minimal water.

The cat palm I mentioned above resides it's winter in the garage with 0 water from mid November until I put it back outside around mothers day and does just fine. It's been slow to come back from the fronds that died off when I gave it water over the winter so it's not as full as it was when I got it.

My other Chamadorea species I have indoors get a trace of water every other week. These have been indoors year around though so used to it.

[JohnAndSancho]

I tried cutting back watering on the big one and he didn't like it. He's a thirsty growing boy.

 

The little one, it's got so many issues going on, I dunno. 

[JohnAndSancho]

I guess since I'm bringing in all of my patio palms in prep for the upcoming Arctic blast, I should post an update on the c. Cataractum I was ready to toss in the dumpster a few weeks ago. It's a lot happier with lots of new growth now that the drain holes and roots aren't being suffocated with super fine sand.