Question
My money tree
Hi Will,
I'm in my mid-20s and recently received a money tree, or pachira aquatica, from my mom as a housewarming gift for my first apartment. It was my first plant (I now have a few others) and since it was from my mom it means a lot to me.
It was thriving for about a year, until I discovered an insect infestation in and around the soil. Right away, I ran to the garden store, bought new soil (standard dark organic potting soil) and insecticide (bug b gone), sprayed the plant and roots then repotted it. In hindsight, I realize I made two mistakes (or maybe more):
1) The insects turned out to be fungus gnats, which are apparently harmless and can be killed off by letting the plant dry out (I suppose I had been watering it too much).
2) I bought rich, dense potting soil when it looks like I should have bought a looser cactus soil.
Anyway, that brings me to my current dilemma. The plant's still growing new leaves, but it's also losing more than it's growing back. It just doesn't look nearly as healthy as it used to, but I wouldn't say it's dying either. I'm wondering if I should re-pot the plant yet again with proper, looser soil this time. Or would that risk stressing the plant out further and possibly killing it?
I'm just not sure how to decide. Temperature's always in the 70-80 range, bright room with no direct sunlight and I wait for the top layer of soil to dry before I water it (every 7-9 days generally). I did use a new pot also - it's about 20-30% bigger than the last one (another rookie mistake I guess). Just thought it would help the tree grow bigger and more awesome!
Thanks very much in advance. Great site by the way - http://www.horticulturalhelp.com - I read up on the diagnosing plant problems section.
Jon
AnswerHi Jon,
I don't have very encouraging news for you and no simple answers. You are correct about the fungus gnats and the repotting. Indeed, the repotting will only encourage more fungus gnats. Unnecessary repotting actually retards growth and promotes root rot. Your Pachira is also exhibiting signs of inadequate light. It should be located within a few feet of a sunny window.
Another repotting is stressful, but you have few other options. Remove the plant from its pot when it is ready to be watered again. Let the excess soil you added fall away from the original rootball. Trim away any roots that look soft and mushy. Assuming you still have some healthy roots remaining, repot into the SMALLEST pot that will accommodate the roots and just enough soil to barely cover them.
The reduced soil and small pot will help the soil dry out sooner and deter root rot. But the damage and trauma may still be too much for the plant to overcome.
Good luck and I have written articles on Pachiras and on repotting that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at
[email protected].
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.
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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
