Question
Hello :)
  My question is about re-potting my lucky bean plant.  I've already put it inti its new pot w a drain at bottom,but is it best for the plant to have the beans showing out of the dirt as it dis when I first got it at the store or does that not make a big difference?? My husband said I might've ruined it but I'd rather ask an expert :) THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME..Jojo

Answer
Johanna,


"Lucky bean plant (Castanospermum australe) should be kept in a small pot until the soil dries out in 3 days or less. A pot that is too large can cause browning of the leaves because it may keep the soil moist for too long and cause root rot. This plant actually likes to be kept in a smaller pot and being rootbound. When you repot it you should keep it at the same level it was at before. Eventually that big seed pod will shrivel and disappear. You should only move it to a pot with a diameter 2 inches larger than the diameter of the original pot.

Allow the top inch of soil to dry to the touch and then water it thoroughly. Empty the drain tray an hour after watering it so it is not sitting in water. It is not a swamp plant and standing in water will cause root rot and plant death. Using hard tap water will also cause the leaf yellowing. Use filtered or distilled if your tap water is on the hard side.

Provide lots of bright indirect light with a few hours of early or late day direct sun. If the only light source is through a skylight or if it is not sitting next to an east or west window then it is probably not getting enough light. This may cause it to grow too tall too quickly.

Fertilize it sparingly at half strength when it is growing vigorously.

It prefers temps in the 60-80 degree range.

The bean or nut that it grows from is very toxic so keep it away from pets and small children" This tree will grow to be 100 feet tall when it is planted in the ground in a tropical climate. Good luck with your  plant.

Darlene