Some interior plant questions couldn’t be answered with just a simple “more water, less water” or “watch for bugs” type of response. Sometimes we need more background, we need to consider the history of the plant. Here are a few of the questions that come up pretty regularly, yet are difficult to diagnose at first.
Question: I have several Dracaenas on my routes that have begun spotting. I’ve tried more water and less water, but nothing seems to help. What can I do?
Dracaena Carmen or Dracaena Pele
Answer: When a Dracaena has been doing great for years in an account and starts to spot, the first thing to look at is the soil. More often than not, the problem lies with how well the plant’s roots are covered. Whether the spotting is due to water stresses and/or salts build up, you can have terrific results by removing any of the roots that are wrapping around the outside of the pot and adding new fresh soil to the plant. Try this first and if caught early on, the plant is saved at a very cheap price.
Question: Why is my Ficus shedding green leaves all of the sudden?
Answer: Ficus shed leaves for a number of reasons. If they are pale-ish gray-green then the plant is receiving too much water for the light it is receiving. Check to see if the leaves are darker along the veins. If there is new growth and the plant has an overall healthy look to it, you probably won’t lose the tree if you can get it to slowly dry back.
Ficus
Question: I have a Spathiphyllum in very good light that is in a sub-irrigation pot because it used to droop each week. Even now I fill the reservoir every week and the water is all gone by the following visit. It has gotten very pale and the new growth always has yellow or lime-green edges.
Answer: This one is easier to answer than you would think. Because the plant is in high light and using it’s water every week, it will also require more fertilizer than your other plants. Simply add fertilizer to your water as you fill the reservoir and soon that new growth will be a rich dark green.
Have any other random questions about interior plants? Talk to the experts! Contact us at Plantopia today!
