The yellowing leaves at the bottom and falling off? I think your soil is probably pretty soggy, you need to check those roots! Let us know, hopefully with visual aids.

I actually just got this fine lady yesterday, so if the roots are soggy, they came that way. I can refrain from watering it more, though.

Did you check the roots? Do they look healthy? Is the substrate water logged?

'Whimsy' ? or ' Johnny Brian' ? Being as it is on the slightly root soggy side of watering it's also showing signs of being slightly etiolated.

Hence is reason for examining the roots while contemplating and considering what is a good draining soil.

Okay, here's what I did: I gave them both some water ( it had been a while since Johnny Brian had received some drinkage ) and set them outside on a porch. Today's temperature was about 73 degrees F, and it's supposed to get down into the 50s tonight, with some rain. Should I bring them inside when it rains? Will the rain make them over-watered, or would that be beneficial? Also, it's been cloudy the past few days, and that hasn't been helpful at all, I'm sure.

Your p. Afra can take a fair amt of water in the growing season, but otherwise the soil should go bone dry before you water. When you do water, water thoroughly.

As far as supplemental lighting-- since I think it's something I'm going to have to look into-- does anyone have any suggestions? Keep in mind that I'm a poor college student that's pinching pennies for her future...But also a free spirit that loves her plants.

Squiggle bulbs in a regular lamp reflector. That's how I give supplemental light to my plants.

It doesn't look beautiful but the plants do ;)

Could you be more specific at all? I definitely am a noob at all of this. I have no idea what a lamp reflector is. But my plants are definitely in need of some light. They're fading at a rate that is scaring me quite a bit. I love them, and I'll be super sad if they die.

Um...I think it would be better explained by the internet than by me. Lol.

what do you mean they are fading fast? Lack of light should NOT *kill * them!? How wet/dry is the soil right now?

Erin

How many plants do you have?

You should get some supplemental lighting for them. Depending how many you have, you will need more or less of the lights. Fluorescent bulbs are economical, as are CFL bulbs. I use some CFL's, and have bought some lighting strips (kind used in bathrooms) very inexpensively at restore - don't know if you have one in your area. They are silver color, that would reflect more light. They cost me $5 for a 6 bulb strip. I also have few that hold 4 bulbs, they were less. Or you can google 'reflector light' and see different kind of light fixture, if you can find that inexpensively, and use CFL bulb in it. Get at least 23W (that is equivalent to 100W incandescent), less expensive to run. Try freecycle for free stuff, or craigslist or kijiji.

CFL bulb:

Your Portulacaria afra is very nice, and it would get very etiolated if in low light for too long.

I am in similar zone to yours, and all my succulents are still outdoors - and will, until it gets to be below 50*F at night, constantly. They get rained on, but they are potted in very gritty mixture so water drains freely. Not one succulent died of over-watering outdoors. But if there is huge storm/lots of heavy rain and for few days, I cover them with plastic sheet - so in that case you should bring them indoors. They will enjoy outdoors for as long as possible.

Rina

fading fast ? meaning the leaves are still shedding/dropping . Here's an idea remove it from that pot and lets peek at the current soil and it's roots

That's a great suggestion, Nomen.

I've been meaning to get a lamp. But being in college and relationships and such, it's definitely been a struggle for time and money to do that. I'm wondering if it's still worth it for my afra. She's lost all but a couple of her leaves, and her branches are pretty flimsy- which makes me think she's not dead? As for Johnny Brian (the Campfire), he's still hanging in there. I just gave him some water the other day, and the soil was bone dry so I think it was necessary. He's certainly a hardy little fellow.

I'll try to post a picture of Whimsy for further suggestion later today.

Thanks so much, everyone! I'm sorry I haven't been better about listening. Life is intense, as we all know. I wish I could say my plants were higher on my priorities list. It's legitmately a source of stress that they aren't doing so well.

Maybe someone around you would be willing to take it and recuperate it for you? Know anyone that has plants? Succulents more specifically.

Well seeming as no succulent has rotted by providing insufficient (low) lighting' it sounds like it's a lamp and a light bulb taking priority over a root and soil exam.

My opinion reason regarding why the leaves are falling off is. The roots aren't able to take up what ever water they may have already been given. ( VIA watering to little or watering to much by volume) either way your talking about tell tale signs of rot adding more light will just speed up the rotting process.