arbicola & yellow leaves
Gardening Reference » Gardening in 2006
by km on October 12, 2006 07:47 AM
I have 2 arbicola trees. Both are planted in ceramic pots with rocks in the bottome to allow for better water drainage. One is doing great, while the other is yellowing and dropping leaves. (It is closer to a window). I have plant lights on both trees for approx 12 hrs a day. I water them about every 5 days. I have also noticed little flies (almost like fruit flies) around the trees. Any suggestions?
by Star Dancer on October 12, 2006 11:21 AM
It sounds like you might have fungus gnats which are usually caused by soil that is kept too moist. Overwatering might also be the cause of yellowing and dropping leaves. The lifecycle of gnats is only a few days so if you allow the soil to dry out more between waterings, they should quickly disappear.
Using pebbles at the bottom of pots actually impairs drainage. If the pots don't already have drainage holes, repot the plants into ones that do, the smallest size that will accommodate the root balls.
Watering according to a schedule can cause overwatering, too. Water requirements are change with variables such as amount of light, heat, and humidity. Shorter days of winter means your plants will need less water. A simple, yet accurate, method of determining if your Schefflera arboricolas need watering is to poke your finger into the soil. When the soil is dry about 1/4 deep, it is time to water.
Star
Using pebbles at the bottom of pots actually impairs drainage. If the pots don't already have drainage holes, repot the plants into ones that do, the smallest size that will accommodate the root balls.
Watering according to a schedule can cause overwatering, too. Water requirements are change with variables such as amount of light, heat, and humidity. Shorter days of winter means your plants will need less water. A simple, yet accurate, method of determining if your Schefflera arboricolas need watering is to poke your finger into the soil. When the soil is dry about 1/4 deep, it is time to water.
Star
by km on October 13, 2006 07:51 AM
Thanks Star
My ceramic pots do have drainge holes in the bottom. I recently lost 2 similiar house plants secondary to inadequate drainge. The holes got clogged with soil and the water couldn't drain. I thought by adding the rocks to the bottom it might prevent this from happening again. I appreciate your advice. I don't have much of a green thumb but I'm trying.
km
My ceramic pots do have drainge holes in the bottom. I recently lost 2 similiar house plants secondary to inadequate drainge. The holes got clogged with soil and the water couldn't drain. I thought by adding the rocks to the bottom it might prevent this from happening again. I appreciate your advice. I don't have much of a green thumb but I'm trying.
km
by Star Dancer on October 13, 2006 12:57 PM
km,
The pebbles/drainage issue was recently addressed here
It sounds like you are on the right track!![[thumb]](im/graemlins/thumb.gif)
Star
The pebbles/drainage issue was recently addressed here
It sounds like you are on the right track!
Star
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