Question
I bought an indoor Tropical foliage plant/tree at Lowes.  It has 4 trunks wrapped around each other.  When it was at the store is was really full/bushy and now that it has been at home for about a month, it is losing its leaves.  The tag only said tropical foliage, it needs medium light and to keep it semi moist, and to fertilize it montly.  Can I use the fertilzer sticks with this plant also?  I used the tropical dirt when replanting it when we brought it home.  And I also put it in a larger pot. It sort of looks like a palm tree.  Sorry I don't have the real name for the plant.  But if you could give me any information on how to make it stop losing leaves that would be great.
Thanks
Keri Smith

Answer
Hi Keri,

I suspect that you may have a money plant or Pachira aquatica that is quite popular right now and has braided trunks and long, slender leaves. However, there are some Ficus and Schefflera species that also fit that description. If you want to email me a photo, I can ID it for you.

Plants often go through an adjustment period when they move from the more ideal conditions of a greenhouse to the less than  ideal conditions of the home. Leaf drop is common during that period.

Repotting a new plant is never a good idea although it is done quite commonly. The added stress of repotting is not good for the plant. In addition, adding more soil means that it takes the plant longer to dry out and that often leads to root rot and a dead plant 3 to 6 months later.

I suggest that you undo your repotting, remove the soil that you added and put it back inti its original pot. That will be best for the long-term health of the plant.

Fertilizer is not what it needs right now. Fertilizer is intended for healthy, vigorously growing plants. Fertilizer sticks should be avoided altogether as they create "hot spots" in the root zone.

After you have a positive ID on the plant species, then I can advise you on appropriate light and water.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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