Question
QUESTION: Hi Will,
Last Wed, I bought a Pachira - a braided Money Tree. Its about 3 feet tall and came in a 14" pot. The instructions said moderate water, no wet feet, bright indirect sunlight. To let the plant adjust to the new surroundings, I put it in a spot away from vents - where it would receive moderate light. The next morning, I found all the baby leaves had shrivelled. By the end of the day, they had dried out completely. So I moved it to a brighter spot and put in about 2 cups of water. But no change. The newer leaves have all shrivelled and died. The older leaves are now looking crumpled. The stalks are still green, tho the remaining leaves have turned into this weird green-brown color.
Is it me? And I havent done anything to the plant yet? Please help!!

ANSWER: Hi Farah,

It is not you! Unless you exposed the plant to very cold weather on the way home, there is nothing you could do in a week's time to cause that reaction. Take it back and get a refund or a replacement plant.

A 14" pot is too big for a 3-foot Pachira. The retailer incorrectly repotted into a pot tat was too large. As a consequence, the roots have started to rot because all the extra soil is holding on to moisture like a giant sponge and keeping the soil from drying out properly. Whenever new growth deteriorates, it is almost always due to root damage. There is nothing you have done that would damage the roots.

I have written an article on Pachira care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
 
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Will. You were really prompt - as always!
I want to take the plant back and get a replacement. But if the 3' plant comes in the same sized pot(13"), I will continue to have a problem with the root rot, right? In which case, should I get a replacement, at all?
For a plant this size, how large should the pot be?

Answer
Hi Farah,

Normally, a 3-foot Pachira would be in an 8 or 10 inch pot. However, that can vary with the maturity and thickness of the braid trunks at the base.

If you are able to post a photo here or email a photo to me at [email protected], I could give you a more reliable answer. The photo should show the entire plant, including all of the pot it is now in.

~Will