Question
QUESTION: It's one of those you find in any store for $5. They say they're perfect beginner plants because you can't kill them which is bull****.

Apparently, I've been watering it too much. How in the hell do you water a plant too much especially when the soil is dry? I've been told by numerous people including professionals to let the soil dry before you water it again. I do! The leaves keep turning brown and dying and falling off! WTF!?

Is there anything I can do to bolster my umbrella tree's strength or whatever to give it better resistance to being watered? If it looses anymore leaves, I'm afraid all I'm going to have left is the center stalk. Is there maybe an additive I can add to the water to bolster the plant?

I've even been keeping it out of direct sunlight but in a bright room. Sometimes though, I've been putting it under a 4100k light for a little while just to give it a bit more UV.

I have new growth on it and what green there is on it looks very healthy but dammit, it's a darn wimp when it comes to being watered. It's like trying to give a cat a bath.

I like to use warm tap water (well water, filter on faucet)

ANSWER: Michael,

Your umbrella tree loves and needs the sun. Move it to a south facing window with window covering that is open all day long and it may perk up. You tell me that you have been watering it too much but you have only watered it when it was dry but you have not told me how often you water it. First it must be in a pot with a drainage hole and a drain tray under it. When you water it you give it enough water that some goes into the drain tray then an hour later you empty the drain tray. If you can't lift the plant you empty it with a turkey baster. Then you insert a 12 inch bamboo skewer into the soil and 5 days later you pull the skewer out and check it. If the top 8 inches is dry it is time to water. If it is still moist you wait a couple of more days and check it again. Fertilize the plant once a month with Miracle Grow fertilizer.

I really think more sun and emptying that drain tray will solve your problem. Good luck.

Darlene

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

QUESTION: Excellent! I happen to have bamboo skewers for my morning glory seedlings to climb, a turkey baster and a south-facing window! But there's a problem: The plant appears to be very young and isn't in a 8" pot yet. Should I replant into an 8" pot?

Answer
No just use wire clippers or toenail clippers and clip the skewer off just above the surface of the soil. Then if the top 2/3rds of the skewer is dry it is time to water, if it is not wait. If the pot is smaller than 8 inches you should be able to just pick the pot up and empty the drain tray into a bucket and not have to use a turkey baster. That makes it easier. When the plant is larger you will need the turkey baster. Do not repot the plant until you feel it is very root bound and it is best to repot any house plants between April 1st and July 15th when their roots are actively growing. Other times of year the roots are not growing as well and the plant is much slower to recuperate and tends to go into root shock easier. Never repot during the short days of winter. Good luck.

Darlene