Question

new buds with shrivell   QUESTION: Hello,

I have a "tied" money plant. I water it once weekly. Recently I have noticed that the trunk of the plant is shrivelling/wrinkled.
It has new growth and as you can see the leaves are green. Is the wrinkled trunk a premise to a rotting? What should I do? The plant receives indirect sunlight but it is close to the heater in my office. Please advise. Many Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Angeline,

I don't know what you mean by 'tied.' Do you mean braided? I don't see anything in the photo that looks tied or braided. Not being able to see the entire plant makes it difficult for me to diagnose.

One stem growing out of the main trunk has died back, although I do see something that looks like it may be a green shoot at the base of that dead stem. I suggest you cut off the dead stem just above that green shoot.

I cannot see how your plant is potted so I cannot say if your watering is appropriate. The demise of the one stem may be due to a watering problem which will eventually effect the other stem, as well. Or, sometimes for no particular reason, one of the two stems just doesn't make it.

In general, Pachiras should be kept in small pots and watered as soon as the top half inch of soil feels dry. The window light in the photos appears to be about right.

If you can post a photo that shows the entire plant and pot, I may be able to provide more complete information.

I have written an article on Money trees that I will email for free to anyone who sends a request to me at my address below.

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


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


trunk dried   QUESTION: Hi Will,

"knotted" plant. here's a picture of the trunk and the whole plant. Should I water it at least 2x a week?

Many Thanks,
Angeline

Answer
Hi Angeline,

Thanks for the second photo. Now I understand what you mean by 'tied.' When the plant was young and flexible, the grower twisted the stem slowly into a knot-like shape. This is similar to growing several stems together and braiding them. Growers keep coming up with imaginative ways to make their plants look unusual and capture the eye of the consumer. The shape of the trunk - straight, braided or tied - will have no bearing on its care.

BTW, it is not a Bonsai. Bonsais are very old and have been miniaturized.

I don't see the shriveling that concerns you. The trunk looks naturally bark-covered and rough, but not shriveled - at least in the photo. I don't think that is a problem.

I still cannot advise you on the watering because I am unable to see the entire pot, including its depth. I also need to know if it has a drainage hole and whether it is planted entirely in pebbles or if there is soil underneath the pebbles. All of these are important factors that affect water use.

~Will