13 Reasons for the Falling Leaves of the Fortune Tree
Do you know these? Content about the fortune tree from the Flower Clinic, 13 reasons for the falling leaves of the fortune tree, are introduced as follows:
Malabar栗 is also known as the Cuban laurel, fortune tree. It is a evergreen small tree of the cotton family. Native to the Ligos Tarragona area of Mexico. It has palmate leaves with 7-11 small leaflets, the indoor fortune tree has oblong to obovate leaves. There are horticultural varieties such as variegated fortune tree. Due to the popularity of the name of the fortune tree among merchants and the general public, as well as its beautiful shape, bright green leaves, and hammer-shaped trunk, it is suitable for indoor arrangement and beautification after potting, so it has developed rapidly in the Chinese flower market since 2006. During festivals, hotels, restaurants, businesses, and citizens often compete to purchase it for good luck.
The fortune tree, an evergreen tree, prefers high temperature and humidity climates, is not cold-resistant, and seedlings are sensitive to frost. Adult trees can tolerate light frost and long-term temperatures of 5-6°C. In the South China region, they can overwinter outdoors, while in the north, they need to be moved into a greenhouse to avoid cold in winter. They prefer fertile, loose, breathable, and water-retaining sandy loam soil, acidic soil, and dislike alkaline or heavy clay soil. They are relatively tolerant to waterlogging and slightly drought-tolerant.
13 reasons for the falling leaves of the fortune tree:
(1) Overwatering the fortune tree, keeping the potting soil constantly too wet, causing lack of oxygen in the soil, leading to the rotting of some fibrous roots, hindering normal breathing and the absorption of water and nutrients, causing the leaves to turn yellow and fall. After being affected, the young leaves first turn light yellow, followed by the gradual yellowing of the old leaves. It is necessary to immediately control watering, stop fertilizing, and frequently loosen the soil to ensure good soil ventilation.
(2) The fortune tree drying out due to drought. Forgetting to water the plant or long-term watering only halfway up (i.e., wet on top and dry below) can affect nutrient absorption and easily cause the leaves to become dull and lose their luster, with the leaves wilting and drooping. The lower old leaves first age and then gradually turn yellow and fall from the bottom up. It is necessary to water a small amount and spray water, allowing it to gradually recover before returning to normal watering.
(3) Long-term lack of fertilizer for the fortune tree. Not applying nitrogen fertilizer for a long time or not changing the potting soil can lead to a lack of nutritional elements such as nitrogen in the soil, causing the branches and leaves to become weak, with thin and yellow leaves. It is necessary to repot and replace with new, loose, and fertile growing soil, gradually applying thin, decomposed liquid fertilizer or compound flower fertilizer.
(4) Over-fertilization of the fortune tree. Excessive fertilization can cause the new leaves to become thick and uneven, with the old leaves drying up and falling off at the tips. It is necessary to stop fertilizing immediately, increase watering, and allow the fertilizer to flow out from the bottom of the pot, or repot and rinse the root ball with water before replanting.
(5) High heat of the fortune tree during summer. Placing cool-season flowers (such as cyclamen, fuchsia, and begonia) in a high-temperature area with direct sunlight can easily cause the leaf tips and edges of young leaves to scorch or turn yellow and fall. They should be moved to a well-ventilated, shaded area in time.
(6) Excessive shading of the fortune tree. If sun-loving flowers are kept in a shaded or poorly lit area for a long time, it can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
(7) The soil of the fortune tree is too alkaline. In most regions of the north, the soil and water contain more salt and alkali, and planting acid-loving flowers such as azaleas, camellias, laughingstock, gardenias, orchids, white magnolias, and cassias can cause the leaves to turn yellow gradually due to the lack of absorbable soluble iron and other elements in the soil. Acidic soil should be used for planting, and iron sulfate water should be applied frequently during growth.
(8) Poor ventilation of the fortune tree. If too much nitrogen fertilizer is applied, the branches and leaves grow too lush, and without proper pruning for a long time, it can easily cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall due to insufficient light in the inner part of the plant. Reasonable fertilization and pruning should be done to ensure good ventilation and light.
(9) Dry air around the fortune tree. When the indoor air is too dry, some moisture-loving flowers, such as spider plants and orchids, often show symptoms like dry leaf tips or edges. Methods to increase air humidity, such as spraying water or using plastic film covers, should be employed.
(10) Improper temperature for the fortune tree. Low room temperature in winter can easily cause damage to warm-loving flowers, leading to yellowing leaves, and severe cases can cause drying and death. If the room temperature is too high, excessive transpiration can cause the roots to be unable to supply enough water and nutrients, also leading to yellow leaves. The room temperature should be adjusted promptly.
(11) The soil of the fortune tree is too acidic. The red soil in the south is too acidic, causing magnesium and other elements to easily leach out. Planting alkaline-tolerant or slightly alkaline soil-loving trees such as oleanders, boxwoods, and forsythias can often cause the old leaves to turn yellow between the veins. Calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer or magnesium sulfate solution can be applied.
(12) Pests and diseases affecting the fortune tree. Leaf spot disease caused by fungal infections can cause local necrosis, yellow spots or patches on the leaves, and severe cases can lead to the entire leaf drying and falling off. Infection with mosaic virus causes yellow and green mottling on the leaves. Infestation by scale insects, spider mites, and other pests can also cause local yellowing and drying of the leaves, or even the entire leaf to wilt and fall. These should be promptly sprayed with pesticides to prevent them.
(13) Strong stimulation to the fortune tree. Using excessive concentrations of pesticides for pest control, exposure to toxic gases in the air, or suddenly watering with cold water when the temperature is high can easily cause the leaf tips or parts of the leaf surface to turn yellow and wither, or even cause the entire plant to die. It is necessary to use pesticides rationally and eliminate air pollution sources. Avoid watering flowers with cold water around noon in the summer. It should also be mentioned that yellowing of pot plants is sometimes caused by a single reason, but it is often due to multiple factors. A correct diagnosis should be made to apply the right treatment.
Have you learned the detailed introduction to the 13 reasons for the falling leaves of the fortune tree provided above?