Question
This plant has been in its "spot" for years. Has also been in the same pot for years (clay with no glazing). Large windows facing east with large pine trees giving shade. No curtains, haven't found any drafts, sits next to a floor vent,live in the mountains of CO so indoor temp in dry and cool most of the year. This spring it has chosen to drop mass quantities of dried green leaves leaving the tree almost barren. I have 3 others that have not  experienced this defoliation----one is directly across the room and has exactly the same conditions as the one I'm asking about.  There are no spider mites or scale to be found as I have scoured the plant thoroughly.  My conclusion is that it is lacking in soil nutrients and possibly could use watering more often...........ahhh and that is the one difference in the 2 that sit across from each other.......the "good" one is in a brass pot with no drainage or wicking!  There is new growth occuring at the tips of each stem. What would you suggest that I do to get this plant back into a healthier state of being?  THank you for you time. Pam

Answer
Pam,

If you have thoroughly examined the top of the plant and found nothing to cause this problem you may want to unpot the plant and look at the roots. If the top is in trouble it usually shows up in then roots. If you are keeping it to dry the roots should be wiry but dried out sections of roots will be obvious.  If you are actually keeping it too wet you will find black and mushy leaves. In any case if you do not have many roots you have a watering problem, either too much or too little. If you find them blaci and mushy you are keeping them too wet. If there just aren't many roots then you are keeping it too dry. If there are plenty of healthy roots you need to inspect the plant again for insects. Good luck.

Darlene