Question
a friend moved from houston and gave me a very large (30 gal.) Maui ixora. this plant is very big 9'h x 6' w, and it grew in a shaded area under a bougainvillea and other plants. I put it in my backyard still in the pot, and it gets sun most of the day and it's sprouting a bunch of new leaves, however, a lot of the leaves, including the new growth, are partly turning brown? what's happening? I keep the plant moist, is it not used to the sun here in houston, after being shaded?  help!

Answer
Yes, plants react to environmental changes, even from a shady location to a sunny one will cause dramatic alterations in growth habits; Normally Ixora love the full sun, but if grown in a shady area and moved abruptly out, they will react, but should adjust. Keep an eye on it and don't over water, be sure to give it a fertilizing at least 3 times a year, and keep in mind it will soon need to be changed out of that container and new planting medium put in (salt build up from fertilizing) Nick