QuestionI bought and repotted 2 China Doll plants in unglazed, clay 8" pots. Typically, they get SW light. They did well for a year, but gradually their leaves became progressively drier and dropped off. Because they were under a heating vent, I moved them and started watering them more. Also, they grew long stems, without many leaves, so I tried pruning, but I didn't see new growth usually. The drying and sparseness continued, so I repotted the plants in plastic 10" pots (I chose 10", because they were larger, just less attractive). Within a week or two, nearly all leaves were brittle and it seemed a lost cause. I assumed it was root rot. I cut the entire plant back, all the way to the dirt, kinda as an experiment. Within about a month, it started growing glossy green leaves! I've read that the China Doll needs to be kept moist, but gets root rot easily. The soil drains well, so I doubt that's my problem How can I tell if I'm over or under watering? Are the symptoms the same?
I bought 3 china dolls about a month ago, and they too are drying and dropping their leaves. I'm afraid to overwater them. Also, these new 3 have brown spots, so I don't know if that's contributing to their problem.
Thanks for your time and opinion!
AnswerHi Theresa,
China dolls are not easy plants because if you don't get the watering right, then they fall apart. Unlike many other plants, they don't have much leeway as to soil moisture content. Unfortunately, there is no simple formula or rule that I can provide that will tell you just when to water.
The roots need moisture, but they also need oxygen. When you water, the tiny air spaces in the soil fill with water and displace the oxygen - the bubbles that you sometimes see when you water. You have to allow the soil to dry out enough so that oxygen gets back into the soil spaces. If you don't, the roots rot due to lack of oxygen. On the other hand, if the soil gets too dry, then the roots will die from drought. In both cases, the roots stop functioning and the rest of the plant has no way to get water. The symptoms are virtually the same.
So how often you water depends on how quickly the soil dries out just enough. Light, temperature, pot size, soil porosity, pot material, and humidity will all affect how quickly the soil dries. That is why it is hard to say just how often to water.
In general, if a China doll is properly potted in good soil, then it should be watered after the top half-inch of soil feels dry to the touch. That assumes that you have not added soil to the top of the rootball when you repotted. It also assumes that yours was very potbound when you moved it up to a 10-inch pot and that you loosened the roots around the outside of the rootball when you repotted. That's the best I can do in describing when to water your China doll.
You didn't mention what your watering routine is so I cannot say if you over or under watered. However, in strong light, warm temps, and terra cotta pots, there is a good chance you were letting the China doll get too dry.
However, I want to mention something else. It is possible that your China doll was reacting to the SW light, particularly if the sun was falling directly on the foliage. Most China dolls are adapted to filtered light before they are sold. Direct sun can cause the leaves to dry and fall off. New growth coming in, however, will be adapted to whatever the light is when the new growth emerges. That may explain why your China doll responded well to your radical pruning.
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.
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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
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