Question
QUESTION: Hi - I have a beautiful BOP and live in Los Angeles. It however is turning brown at the edges and curling up. My apartment faces East - so it doesn't get alot of direct sunlight. I have installed a grow light, I fertilize every other week with a Miracle Grow product - water once a week. I am afraid this plant is dying. Any suggestions? BTW - I have no way to put the plant outside for any amount of time.

Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Michael,

Your BoP would benefit from more light - an east window is okay if the plant is right in front of it and the window is uncovered and unobstructed.

Grow lights sometimes give off heat that can cause leaf edge browning. I don't recommend using incandescent grow lights - fluorescents are fine as they are much cooler.

Skip the fertilizer as excess can cause leaf edge burn.

Water it thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry, regardless of the day of the week. Improper watering could be the problem.

If your tap water is on the hard side, then use filtered or distilled.

Your BoP is better off inside in a bright location.

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

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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



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

QUESTION: Ok thanks - a few more questions:

What do you think is happening to the plant when leaves are turning yellow and shriveling, yet a number of new chutes are popping up?

If this plant dies, what other tropical tree will do well indoors with basically no light? I love the look of the BOP and would want something with a similar look. If all else fails, I will buy a silk BOP.

ANSWER: Hi Michael,

All of the reasons that I cited in my reply can cause older leaves to exhibit the symptoms you described while healthy new growth is emerging. As long as there is healthy new growth, there is hope for your plant's future because that means the roots are still okay. If the new growth comes in discolored or damaged, then you have a serious problem.

If the plant is near an uncovered east window, then that is plenty of light for a B of P and many other houseplants. But now you are writing that there is "basically no light." An accurate description of the light is essential to the proper selection of a plant. You have provided me with that information yet, so I cannot help you yet.

Will Creed



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

QUESTION: The little light there is and I mean little, is obstructed by a tree in the front of my building. So with that, what type of tropical tree does well in that enivornment - in this case, no light?

Michael

Answer
Location! Location! Location! If you plan to locate the plant right in front of the window you describe and within a few feet of that window, then I would would recommend one of the Dracaenas as a good alternative to the B of P.

If it would be more than a few feet away, then you do not have enough light for a live plant.