Question
QUESTION: Hi I am looking for some help with a large Dragcaena Magenta. I work on a boat and I have just taken over the care of around 35 house plants (I have no prev experience with plants so any help is great help!). This plant is kept inside usually at all times and is used to the airconditioning. It seems to be going quite well, it's hard to keep all plants good as we don't have normal seasons being on a boat and it has been in my care for around 2 mths now, but I have noticed white fluff spreadint throughout the soil on the top. Is this mold? Some sort of fungi? Will it kill the plant? I water this plant twice a week and i'm sure to remove any excess water from the tray a day after.... If you could help it would be great!

I also have questions about two new Pachira Avec's - Money Trees - that we recently bought when we were in France. The care tag suggested I water twice weekly but everywhere on the net says to let it dry out almost and to water maybe every 2-3 weeks. The plant is looking sad and leaves are falling off. It's gone a very dark green colour and a little droopy but more strangely, the leaves seem to be going deformed? If any of that makes sense to you then any answers would also be great!

Thanks so much for you help.

Cheers,
bec

ANSWER: Dear Bec,

You must be on a very large boat to have so many plants to take care of and I can understand that it is going to be quite a difficult job to keep them all going successfully as you have to contend with the normal elements plus salty air and air conditioning - rather you than me!  Don't be hard on yourself if you lose one or two along the way - it will be amazing if you don't.

To start off with your Dracaena - have you noticed any insects on the plant?  Have a look on the reverse of the leaves and in the white fluff on the top of the soil.  The reason I ask is because an insect called mealy bug is white and leaves a white fluffy, sticky substance on leaves and stems.

In any case I would remove all the "fluff" from the top of the soil and put some fresh soil in its place.  I would also sponge the leaves to keep them dust and insect free and because the air will be dry due to air conditioner mist the entire plant with tepid water.

Are you feeding your plants now this is the growing season?  If not, then I would purchase a good brand of fertiliser and feed them all twice a month.  If it's a systemic fertiliser which will enter through the leaves and stems you can put it in the water you use to mist the plant but again only twice a month.

As for your Pachiras - I have a small braided plant and I water mine a couple of times a week whilst it is very hot as it is now.  It is  in the shade near an open window to get fresh air, I feed it twice a month and so far it is doing well but I have only had it for three months.

Are the leaves curling at the edges - you say they look deformed - this can be a sign of too little heat, overwatering or cold draughts.
Wilting leaves are caused by either underwatering or, wait for it, overwatering!  There can be too much heat, too much light, the plants may be pot bound or there may be insects attacking them.

If they were my plants and the soil was dry I would give them a good soaking in a bucket of tepid water until the air bubbles stop rising to the surface, drain them and check after an hour or so if any water has accumulated in their trays.  If so, throw it away.

Put them in a shady place, don't feed while they are obviously sick, make sure there are no draughts and cross your fingers!!

I was reading a forum about these plants and someone said how easy they were to grow and the next person said not to bother with them as they are so difficult!  It seems to me that it will be trial and error.

If all the leaves fall off, don't throw the plants away, put them somewhere sheltered and continue watering as above and I am sure that you will have new growth eventually.

I do hope that you'll be able to save them and that your other plants will not be difficult to look after, however, you are very welcome to contact me with any queries you may have.

Just remember that most plants hate extremes i.e. being too cold, too hot, too much water especially given in dribs and drabs every day, too little water, most house plants will shrivel if placed in midday sun but might enjoy early morning sunshine, none of them like draughts, they all need feeding but don't overdo it!! Lots of smooth leaved plants like misting especially in the summer to help keep the surrounding air humid.  Plants with hairy leaves and/or fleshy stems  such as begonias, cyclamen, Africa Violets, Gloxinias do not like water on their leaves and stems so you should always water from below.  Keep the leaves and stems dust free and healthy looking. If you can remember all that you'll be fine!

Diana

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

QUESTION: Thank you so much for all of that!! I don't believe there are any insects with the dracaena - so I started to remove the dirt and I noticed the moldy-fluffy stuff went quite deep so I decided to repot the whole thing.... Once doing that I noticed the roots were extremely saturated, literally soaked but I don't believe there was any root rott so perhaps that white fluff was a fungus due to overwatering? We'll see how it works out from here, I'll start to water it less.

As for these Pachira's, wow, that sounds like there could be a million and one problems with it... Would it help if I somehow posted a photo? Their leaves that looked deformed look as though they are being eaten, but I can't see any insects? Could this be a disease perhaps? And these plants don't normally go dark green do they?

Yes it's an extremely big yacht, 126 metres, so there is plenty of room for plants! I'm going to start a big clean on them tomorrow to make sure they're not dusty.

Thanks again for your help, Diane.

Answer
Hello again Bec,

Yes it certainly sounds like overwatering although you said you only watered the plant twice a week.  It's good that you inspected the roots - as you say the roots were saturated I would definitely let the plant dry out before you next water.  

By all means send me a photo of the Pachiras - I really don't know if it is a disease or insects but since you haven't seen any insects it seems unlikely it is that.  Wherever you are berthed now why not take one of the plants to a garden centre and see if they can help - it will be easier for them to see the actual plant and diagnose the problems.

I have to be honest with you that I have only had 3 months experience of these plants and so far everything is OK.  The leaves are just the same colour as when I bought it.  But better deep green than yellow!

Will do my best to see if I can come up with any good suggestions but meanwhile enjoy your cleaning !!

Diana