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randi_holbrook

Leaves on Moonshadow drying out?

9 years ago

The lower leaves on my Moonshadow are shriveling and appear to be drying out. I water it when it's almost dry all the way through. I've had it a good while--maybe 6-8 months. It came to me in a 5" pot with peat/orchid bark mix and I have not repotted it. I'm afraid to look at the roots for fear of stressing it more. It got watered several days ago,and the soil is moist about half an inch down. I'll get over to my desktop so I can upload a pic. Won't work on my laptop. What to do?

Comments (11)

  • 9 years ago

    Here it is.


  • 9 years ago

    Pardon me Randi, but it needs to be said: you can't assess a plant like this w/out checking the roots.

    It appears thirsty like it's not drinking, or somehow, like the water isn't being taken up into the leaves.

    IMO it's more stressful to leave it unresolved -- makes for a crapshoot kind of treatment plan, I'd rather not do that. Let me actually see what's going on, that dictates what if anything is to be done.

    Also, it's name is Moonshadow? I hadn't seen or heard of it before, hum?

    Soil moist down an inch or 2 doesn't tell much. Do a dowel or stick test to feel if there's any moisture down below, at the bottom.

    I might almost be tempted to trim the bottom & put it in water to rehydrate.

    Let's see what others say.

  • 9 years ago

    Yes, I would check the roots. I know Moonshadow and plain Incrassata prefer to be kept dry. You may have to take a cutting and root it again in YOUR potting media so you will really know when it's dry.

  • 9 years ago

    Yep, looks like you need to restart that shriveled vine/stem.

  • 9 years ago

    Okay, here are the roots. Should I still restart it?

  • 9 years ago

    It's hard to tell with some soil still on them. Can you rinse it all off and post another photo?

  • 9 years ago

    Well, I went ahead and restarted it by making a cutting. I hope I did it correctly. I cut off the dried leaves and have four left along with the stem. Darn! I felt I couldn't wait forever with the roots exposed to the air. The roots were white and tannish color. No dark ones that I could see. I had heard Moonshadow likes to dry out, so that's what I'd been doing. If this one re-roots I will water it a bit more often, before it completely dries out. It's under a dome with an average of 60-80% humidity. I hope I didn't do the wrong thing. Thanks to all who came to my rescue!

  • 9 years ago

    That looks like root mealy damage that i have encountered. The outer layer of root is gone(eaten by the pest), leaving only the stringy center.

    Randi Holbrook thanked tlbean2004
  • 9 years ago

    Randi - I let my "Incrassata" dry out a bit before watering but it does have more succulent leaves than the Moonshadow. I do mist my Moonshadow regularly so I guess that's why I let the soil dry out a bit.


    Randi Holbrook thanked Monica bf N. Carolina zone 7B
  • 9 years ago

    Well, I've never run across root mealy before. Hopefully it's gone--or do I have to treat it?

    I have been letting Moonshadow dry out pretty much, and it has looked fine until the last week. I also mist all my hoyas. So I'll try to not let it dry out completely from now on, yet not let it stay too moist. Oh boy, what a balancing act! Thank you guys! I'll update you if and when it starts rooting again.

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