Advice on "Key Lime Pie!"

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Recently, I relocated and of course, gathered all of my plants to come along with me. Now, my windows are not allowing the same amount of sun-light, possible idea, by the way my plants are declining. They are facing SE now rather than NE? Unsure what can help!

I included a photo of my "Key Lime Pie" as it sits now! (First photo was a few months ago, at the old home!) Leaves have begun to spread out, rather than it old condensed attire. Advice? I am in Pennsylvania, and windows are my best option for sunlight. Other opinions?

Featured Answer

ealdwood (10a)

10 years ago

This was also one of my first succulents and I've learned that it likes smallish/short pots just like what davez said. It can tolerate normal aerated soil very well (50% store bought MG cactus/succulent soil + 50% large perlite), and I only water mine once every week or more even though right now it's winter and super dry. I'm not 100% sure but Adromischus are summer dormant, so that supposedly means they grow the most during colder weather (fall or winter I'm not sure, but mine looks like it likes winter).

I agree it's difficult to handle this plant without knocking off leaves, so that's why best bet is to repot it, loosen rootball (yours look great already), try to minimize casualties, and leave it alone. I'm not really sure what you meant by it spreading out, cause it seems pretty healthy and cute to me, but mine is facing south, partially blocked by a pillar a good part of the day + growlight. So I do provide it as much light as possible but it doesn't do awful without light compared to other succulents.

good luck

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Comments (7)

chuckerfly
10 years ago
I think many refer to south facing windows as the best source of lights in northern hemisphere. So, I assume southeast could be the next best thing? I wouldn't know for sure, but maybe the good people in this forum who live in your area can give better insight.
LH On the Move
10 years ago
Open those blinds!
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davez7anv
10 years ago
it looks more like a water problem with maybe some root loss?

I keep mine very dry-water about once a month and in bright but not direct sunlight

try sliding the plant gently out of the pot and see what's going on subsurface, then go from there.
ginacalantoni
Original Author
10 years ago
The blindes are open during the daylight, closed or just let down as in the photos during the night or when privacy is needed. I live in a close knit community, can see into eachother's homes if one were to look!

I took some photos of the view when sliding out of the pot, this plant was watered Monday, so the soil is moist further into the soil and quite dry on top. A few of the leaves popped off quite easily when doing so. Thinking back, I did repot shortly before our move. This was one of my first plants, purchased as a tiny little guy, would like to keep it growing healthy and as well as I can!
davez7anv
10 years ago
looks like it's lost a lot of roots.

it could be overpotted-in my experience they do better in tight quarters and it's easier to regulate moisture.
nomen_nudum
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
The famed aerial roots of A. Christa kind of help it to catch free moving moisture from the air in a sense.

IMO it's over potted & like most every species/type of Adros. to over pot is to over water usually applies ( usually and for some types always applies).

The root exposure in pic you posted, I'd suggest a 2 inch - 2 1/2 inch pot that's on the shallow side. You could consider an oval or round ceramic bonsai pot if you can't find shallow , or a pot apx. the same size of the cacti pot to the left side.

In comparison to your pic I use a very chunky soil of poultry grit, granite chips & pumice with some perlite . Light organics or bark fines are also an option but tend to hold moisture in the pot for a longer period of time if inside year round here.