When you say withered is it soft or mushy, What Fertilizer are you using and at what strength? Office plant has a nice caudex. Other will be along soon, hang in

It is not soft or mushy. Checked it thoroughly for any rot when I repotted and all roots and stems look good. I use less than a teaspoon of Osmocote granules 14-14-14 on top soil. I've only done it twice this year before repotting and haven't done it since the repotting. Repotted about 2 weeks ago.

I wonder if the Osmocote has to much nitrogen or something. The leaves remind me of chemical burn. You have done what I would do to check the plants for rot. I use clear water between my ferts. But I use Dyna gro pro 936 and Dyna-Gro Pro-tekt Tek-032 0-0-3 Silicon Supplement. Several people on here recommended it. It takes so little to use.

How are the roots on the office plant? have you trimmed any? The soil you are using needs to drain well. But you get really hot later on so you may need to water more often I know I have. I have my plants in fairly short pots. Hopefully Rick will check in he has trees like your office tree. If not pm him he is great help

Carrie,

Your Ofiice DR looks like it could be an Arabicum by the charateristic growth of it's caudex. The wide and more horizontal growth of base with main terminal branches coming from one plain. The leaves on Arabicums are usually larger than that of your other tree being more than likely Obesum. Arabicum leaves can feel a bit fuzzy.

The skin on the Office DR (Arabicum) with it's rough or weather look is normal as long as firm and good color.

The leaf loss could just be a change from inside to out, repotting or dormancy.

As long as there is no sign of soft and dark marks on stem or caudex, it should be fine. Also, terminal growth tips should be green and healthy.

Water sparingly until you see new growth commencing. Do not require much water at all if in dormancy.

I like pruning my obesum's to keep them more compact, but it is not mandatory. Personal preference. They produce main lateral branches after a prune and each of these branches produce blooms.

Do not prune your Arabicum. It will destroy it's overall character.

thanks for the vote of confidence Marica, but I am still and always learning. Great info you have given and appreciated by Carrie, I am sure.

Rick

Thank you Marica, I only use plain water since my fertilizer is a granule it sits on top soil. I will look for the fertilizer(s) you mentioned.

The roots on office look good and I have not cut any, although there's no knowing for sure a few didn't break when repotting it.

I tend to mix a lot of perlite and vermiculite with my cactus mix. Prob 30% perl, 30% vermic, 40% soil (just a guess) I mix it separate and judge by look and drainage before using. I tend to make a larger batch and use it to repot more than one plant at a time.

I also had it in a much larger pot over the winter, but when it started looking bad and loosing leaves I decided when I do repot it I would put it in a pot more proportionate to it's size. I was worried the larger pot was holding on to too much water.

Thank you again!

Thanks Rcharles,

The office plant is definitely Arabicum with fuzzy leaves, while the original came with a label that said Obesum. They are definitely different.

The office plant stems and caudex are firm, but it almost looks like the stems have running water marks. Couldn't get good pics the other day... These are better.

Once again, thank you!!!

It looks like it's going to bloom. My bet is that the plant will put out new growth as summer approaches.

Carrie, It does look as Dain mentions, that possible blooms coming from the reddish tips showing on the branch that has the yellowing leaves on it?

Check it over well to make sure that the white tiny flecks on green leaves are not the result of spider mites. Check undersides of leaves.

Marking on the stems (water marks) as you mention, could be from something in the water, fertilizer, etc. residue. A similar look can come from sap running down the stem from leaf scars. Looks to too much for this though.

Rick

Thanks everybody, I guess I just have to wait and see what happens. I just don't understand why it hasn't grown at all in over a month of great Arizona weather.

Arabicum can be slow grower. without leaves it can put it;s energy in the caudex, but our days are longer and it loves sun and heat. Give it time. If you have any other questions just ask.