I guess this makes another Pachira post.

A number of things at work. One post can triggers others to say, "oh, yeah. I've been meaning to ask about mine". Still other folks don't know the name of their plant and when they see it here it triggers questions.

Tomorrow it will be kalanchoe.

tj

Perhaps more people buy them around this time of year because they are usually put on clearance? Then they have questions regarding their care? Just my best guess.

Back when I bought mine, it was around Dec-Jan, almost a full decade ago, and that was because they were on clearance. My Pachira was quite larger than the usual ones that are always commonly sold. I remember that I could barely get it in the car afterwards, lol. I forget the original price, but it was marked down to only $10, so I just had to get it. Fortunately, I had some previous experience with these plants, gained thru trial and error. Which I'm grateful for, because I haven't seen any money trees of this size being sold ever since, especially for such a cheap price.

I, too, have noticed the increase in posts about these great plants. I still try to help out whenever I can, because these are one of my favorites and I would like to see others take joy in caring for theirs as well. But I will admit, it does seem to get a little repetitive after a while. Whenever I have any questions about a specific plant, I do a search of the forums first and comb thru any useful info that I can find. And if I still have any questions, then I'll post whatever questions I may have left and then go from there. :)

Well said, all above. I suspect during winter, this plant suffers more from low humidity than most. Afterall, its' species name isn't aquatica for no reason. Plants bought during this time of year in really cold areas can get quite a shock from going outside.

Hello!

I've been here a few years, and this is just the regular Winter pattern. Pachira are fairly easy to grow during the Spring, Summer, and Fall....but, being a large-leafed plant, they really demand more light to continue looking their best, and Winter is generally when light is in shortest supply.

Winter is when we discover how well our potting mix is serving our plants. That's why I stress such a porous mix for these plants.....when the light is low and the plant in its least active phase, it is incredibly important to keep the root-zone happy (and that means drying out in timely fashion).

Oh, and of course, Pachira resent temperatures below 35F or so.

Josh

It is funny though as gardenweb seems to go in cycles..... Wasn't it like a month or two ago all about Peace lilies? Or something..... Idk but it is funny. At least to me..
I wish I still had my Pachira.......

Pachiras are troublesome is why.

They were briefly fashionable in commercial indoor landscaping about 15 years ago, now you never see them. That should tell you all you need to know.

A colleague of mine decided they were, in fact, an annual. As after a year they died.

They are garden centre gold because they look very architectural and are very cheap for their size and growth pattern.

They are very attractive plants. Did you find that there was something in particular that went wrong with them, StewartsJon?

Not a troublesome plant, at all, from what I've found. They survive some of the worst care, and worst conditions...although they eventually fail. Around here, they are still very popular for indoor decorating, and almost always placed where there isn't enough light for even a Sansevieria to survive.

Pachira can be one of the easiest plants to grow, provided a sunny window and a half-way decent potting mix.

Josh