Question
I bought a Ming plant from a friend.  Initially, I over watered it with the leaves turning yellow and falling off.  So I transplanted it and I seem some new growth but it continues to drop leaves.  I bought a meter which tells me that some parts of the soil is dry and others are wet.  Can this plant be saved.  Also, I bought another Ming just in case.....how do I keep this one indoors and alive.  And in the winter I turn the heat down and it gets below 50...will this harm the plant next year.....Help I love these plants!!  Thanks for your time.  Roben

Answer
Roben,

Your aralia is a beautiful plant but can be touchy about water. It should never sit with water in the drain tray for more than 2 hours and the top 2 inches of soil should be dry before you water again. If you empty that drain tray 2 hours after watering the plants the soil should be more evenly moist a couple of days later. The following site has good info about thisw plant: http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/factsheets/pottedplants/mingaral.ht...

It also needs to be sitting in a sunny south facing window with no window covering so it gets as much sun as possible. It does not like night temperatures below 60 degrees or daytime temperatures below 70 degrees. You might fix up an insulated box to put over it before it gets that cold at night to keep it warmer at night. In the day I hope you at least keep it 65 degrees, it would be okay there, otherwise you need to find a warmer home for them during the winter. Good luck.

Darlene