Question

money plant   Hi Will,

I wonder if you could help me with this. I have a money plant, it's been thriving for several years now. But recently because of a fungus gnat problem (caused by using Miracle Potting Mix that had the gnats in it), I repotted the plant twice. The plant went through the shock of repotting, then an over-watering problem because of the reduction of the roots. Now it is in a very bad shape. Please see the attached image.

However, all 5 stems are still alive. There is no more fungus gnat. I'm using a Moisture Meter probe to make sure that I don't over-water the plant. I'm also giving the plant Transplanter fertilizer with root stimulation (5-15-5) at every watering to help it grow new roots. It seems to help.

Now my question is: because the plant has very few leaves on each stem, and because it is early Spring now, could I prune all the stems back to about half of their lengths to stimulate growth? Or should I wait for a few months when the plant is healthier before doing the pruning?

Thank you for your help.

G

Answer
Hi G,

I will get to the pruning question at the end, but I feel compelled to straighten out some other important misunderstandings about plant care.

First, most plants should never be repotted and Money Trees are one of them. Had you not initially repotted into a pot that is too large, you would have not used the contaminated Miracle-Gro potting mix that was the source of the fungus gnats.

Replacing the potting soil is NOT the way to eradicate fungus gnats. It would have been better if you had undone your repotting by simply removing the soil you added and left the original soil and rootball intact. Otherwise, fungus gnats are best treated by allowing the soil to dry out deep into the pot so that you deprive the gnat larvae of the moisture they need to survive.

All of the repotting combined with your using a pot that is too large has damaged the roots more than the gnats ever would have. In addition, the roots are probably rotting because they are surrounded by too much soil that takes too long to dry out.

Moisture meters are notoriously inaccurate and yours is probably contributing to the overwatering and root rot. You have to learn to use your finger as a probe to determine when the top quarter of the soil feels dry before watering.

Manufacturers love to sell products that seem to promise miracle results and cures. Ailing plants will not benefit from any supplements or fertilizers. In addition, you are over-using them to th point where they may be building up to toxic levels in the soil. Water applied when the soil is appropriately dry is all you should be using. There are no shortcuts to a slow recovery.

Ordinarily, I would advise you to remove all the excess soil and put the plant into a much smaller pot - one that is jut barely large enough to accommodate the roots and and just enough soil to cover the roots. But your plant has already been so traumatize by prior repottings, that that may not be a good idea. In any case, do be sure that soil is drying out deep into the pot before adding any water.

The season or time of year is entirely irrelevant to pruning indoor tropical plants. They grow year-round and do not have dormant periods in winter as temperate zone plants do.

If the roots are still viable enough to support the plant and you get the watering under control, then you can prune at any time. I suggest that you prune the stems back to about an inch above where the green stem growth starts. Cutting into older portions of the stems that are brown is not as likely to produce new growth. If the roots are not healthy, then you will probably lose the plant whether or not you prune.

By the way, all of the misunderstandings that I have pointed out here are very common misunderstandings. That is why I wanted to take the time and space to point them out to others who may read this answer.

I have written articles on Money Trees, pruning, repotting, fertilizers and supplements, pest controls and proper watering that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who emails a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to PlantCareExperts.com