have a succulent, which looks a lot like a money tree, but the leaves are rolled not flat.
I have it for a number of years, but this year the leaves are dropping off in great amounts and small branches.
I have had leaves drop before but only say one or two a week, but yesterday there must have been a dozen and a small branch.
What seems to be the matter??
[img]https://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp209/old-n/2898.jpg[/img]
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It looks like Crassula ovata 'Gollum' to me, commonly called Finger Jade.
Leaf drop is a common result of overwatering. One clear sign is if the fallen leaves appear wrinkled.
Too much heat can also cause them to drop leaves. Heat can also result in stem rot.
Since you've had the plant for several years, and the problem is fairly recent, you might want to consider whether you have moved the plant to a new location where it's getting too much sun or heat. Perhaps you have altered the watering schedule, even slightly, due to changes in your own schedule.
Another thing to consider is whether the plant needs to be repotted. If you have repotted it recently, were you careful to use a good, fast-draining soil designed for cacti and succulents? Did you choose a pot of the correct size, I.e. not too big, and that has drainage holes in the bottom?
These are the things I would examine first.
Leaf drop is a common result of overwatering. One clear sign is if the fallen leaves appear wrinkled.
Too much heat can also cause them to drop leaves. Heat can also result in stem rot.
Since you've had the plant for several years, and the problem is fairly recent, you might want to consider whether you have moved the plant to a new location where it's getting too much sun or heat. Perhaps you have altered the watering schedule, even slightly, due to changes in your own schedule.
Another thing to consider is whether the plant needs to be repotted. If you have repotted it recently, were you careful to use a good, fast-draining soil designed for cacti and succulents? Did you choose a pot of the correct size, I.e. not too big, and that has drainage holes in the bottom?
These are the things I would examine first.
Thank you very much Kisal.
Yes after you mention it, it does look a bit pot bound, I have shown this plant at a local show and it had taken first prize, but the rules say no bigger then a 8 inch pot which is what it is in now.
I seem to remember seeing somewhere that you can: -
Wash all the soil off the roots
Clip the roots back and re-pot it in the same size pot
But I thought that this type of plant would not like it
What do you think?
The plant lives in the conservatory in a corner, it is not in direct sun light, what you think is too hot, it as always been in the same spot since it was only 4 inches high, it is now 28 inches wide by 28 inches high.
Yes after you mention it, it does look a bit pot bound, I have shown this plant at a local show and it had taken first prize, but the rules say no bigger then a 8 inch pot which is what it is in now.
I seem to remember seeing somewhere that you can: -
Wash all the soil off the roots
Clip the roots back and re-pot it in the same size pot
But I thought that this type of plant would not like it
What do you think?
The plant lives in the conservatory in a corner, it is not in direct sun light, what you think is too hot, it as always been in the same spot since it was only 4 inches high, it is now 28 inches wide by 28 inches high.
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Gnome
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old-n,
Norm
You can certainly do this with Jades, which this essentially is, and expect a good result. When I read your first post I wondered if your soil had collapsed and was impeding drainage. I use a very free draining mix for these, no soil, potting or otherwise. It consists of all inorganic materials with some partially composted Pine Bark to retain a little moisture and nutrients. I usually wire these into the pot as they can be top-heavy and with such a loose medium they are easily disturbed until they settle in.I seem to remember seeing somewhere that you can: -
Wash all the soil off the roots
Clip the roots back and re-pot it in the same size pot
But I thought that this type of plant would not like it
What do you think?
Norm
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Gnome
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 5122
- Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
- Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A
old-n,
[url=https://img62.imageshack.us/I/verticallegs.jpg/][img]https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2122/verticallegs.th.jpg[/img][/url]
And here is an example of it in use. A loop of wire is formed around the trunk of the tree and the vertical legs are extended through the loop on either side of the trunk. The vertical legs are then trimmed to an appropriate length and bent over the loop to secure the tree in place.
[url=https://img638.imageshack.us/I/loop.jpg/][img]https://img638.imageshack.us/img638/3526/loop.th.jpg[/img][/url]
After this is accomplished additional soil is worked around the roots while applying gentle upward pressure on the plant. This results in a stable arrangement. Usually this is below the soil surface but I removed a little to show you.
Other methods of securing plants temporarily can be used until the plant settles in and begins to stabilize.
[url=https://img89.imageshack.us/I/p4090026edit.jpg/][img]https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4117/p4090026edit.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img69.imageshack.us/I/crossbracing.jpg/][img]https://img69.imageshack.us/img69/9651/crossbracing.th.jpg[/img][/url]
These are Bamboo skewers sold in grocery stores for shish kebob. This may not be appropriate depending upon the type of pot you are using. Be creative and I'm sure you'll figure something out.
Norm
Here's a few shots that illustrate how I have done this. First is a pot that has a 'U' shaped wire extending through a pair of drainage holes.You said "I usually wire these into the pot as they can be top-heavy"
Have you got a pic of one you have done this on.
[url=https://img62.imageshack.us/I/verticallegs.jpg/][img]https://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2122/verticallegs.th.jpg[/img][/url]
And here is an example of it in use. A loop of wire is formed around the trunk of the tree and the vertical legs are extended through the loop on either side of the trunk. The vertical legs are then trimmed to an appropriate length and bent over the loop to secure the tree in place.
[url=https://img638.imageshack.us/I/loop.jpg/][img]https://img638.imageshack.us/img638/3526/loop.th.jpg[/img][/url]
After this is accomplished additional soil is worked around the roots while applying gentle upward pressure on the plant. This results in a stable arrangement. Usually this is below the soil surface but I removed a little to show you.
Other methods of securing plants temporarily can be used until the plant settles in and begins to stabilize.
[url=https://img89.imageshack.us/I/p4090026edit.jpg/][img]https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4117/p4090026edit.th.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=https://img69.imageshack.us/I/crossbracing.jpg/][img]https://img69.imageshack.us/img69/9651/crossbracing.th.jpg[/img][/url]
These are Bamboo skewers sold in grocery stores for shish kebob. This may not be appropriate depending upon the type of pot you are using. Be creative and I'm sure you'll figure something out.
Norm
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