Neea leaves looking sickly

noissee · 02-24-2009, 11:32 AM

I have no clue what is wrong with this plant. I've had it for about a year. It is in well-draining soil, and I fertilize with organic pellets. I also bring it in when the temps get below 45F. Does anybody have experience with this species? Does anybody know if it is acid loving or not? I can't get a straight answer on that one.
Edit: I don't think it's watering, because it did very well in the hot florida summer last year, and like it said it's well-draining so i don't think it's overwatering. But I've only had one year experience with this, so If you think it's watering then please say so because I don't know anything for certain.

thanks,

Nick

T.S.Wheeler · 02-25-2009, 02:58 AM

As in Neea Buxifolia? I've had one for two and a half years (pictured as my avatar). Its still alive, which is a good sign! Yeah, it can be a pouty plant. During the winter of 07-08 it was indoors with only artificial light. It didn't like that very much. It dropped all its leaves, re-grew them and dropped them again within a few months, scaring me thoroughly. I think I may have let it get a little too dry at times as well. This winter I've kept it indoors in a bright window, keeping it pretty moist; and while it hasn't grown any, niether has it lost any leaves.
I think it must like a good bit of fertilizer when it is actively growing; mine has tended to have pale growth even with chemical fertilizer (especially when I had it in full sun in the summer). When I gave it some diluted coffee (at room temperature, of course) it greened up very nicely. I haven't given it much fertilizer this winter as it isn't growing, though.
Despite the fact that my Neea is still alive, I'm not really sure what advice to give as I don't even really know why my tree is alive. Oh, well maybe it could just be a soil issue? Mine never looked happy in its original soil, which was actually a good bonsai soil (although it didn't drain that well). I repotted it in a mixture of bonsai soil and orchid soil, which I think had charcoal in it. And I mixed some used coffee grounds into the mix. Its been much happier since then. I've also been more diligent in watering, which is obviosly helpful. Hmm, but you already said you give it organic fertilizer.
Is it inside or outside? And how much light is it getting? If its outside, what are the temps like? And the soil is free-draining, but do you keep it moist? I don't think it likes to dry out much at all. The only other thing I could think of is lack of trace elements; I recently read that they need iron and calcium twice a year. I couldn't find whether they like acid or alkaline soil, but I imagine neutral would be suitable. Anyway I doubt this issue would lead to such relatively sudden signs of stress.

I hope this is more helpful than confusing; I guess Neea isn't the easiest tree to use as bonsai.
Keep us updated
Travis

noissee · 02-25-2009, 11:23 AM

I was thinking about putting some coffee grounds on it, and if yours liked it...then I would deduce that it is a plant that likes a little acidity. I've been keeping it outside, and bringing it in overnight when the temps are below 45F. Have you ever had leaves like this? I'm kinda thinking about using a fungicide and seeing if that helps.
thanks for your reply
nick.

T.S.Wheeler · 02-25-2009, 04:43 PM

Yeah, my tree has done this several times in its short history. I had never thought of using a fungicide; I guess I never really knew what the problem was anyway. Really, I think they just don't like the winter season for the change of location, light, temperature, etc. That seems to be the time my tree is most unhappy; although this year it hasn't fussed at all. All I can think is that I may have let it get too dry and not provide enough light. On the other hand, I didn't realize they prefer part sun until last spring. During the previous summer I had it in full sun, and it didn't like that much either.
I've heard that Neea have nice flowers in the spring and fruit in the summer. I have yet to make mine happy enough to flower; maybe this spring... I'm sure the new soil will help. I didn't even make the connection about the coffee grinds being acidic; that makes perfect sense.
Another thing to try: I forget exactly all the benefits of using wood ash, but I know it is good for plants when aplied to the soil (definately not on the leaves). I have done this with my fukien tea trees to try to build their immune systems against aphids, but it hasn't helped too much.
I know its frustrating because the cause of the problem is so elusive, making it difficult to find a solution. I just sort of baby my try until it returns to health, which it always has so far.
A note on coffee grinds: I have added them to many plants, and it is always a helpful boost. However, when applied to the surface of the soil, it seems to become almost a water repelent after several days or weeks. This doesn't really seem to be a problem when the grinds are mixed into the soil, but if you aren't about to repot your tree and change its soil, maybe you could just mix the grinds with some coarse sand to improve water absorbtion. Also, if you have left-over coffee, just let it cool off and dilute it a little.
Another thing I use on my trees: Garrett Juice, available at Lowe's. Its organic, made of compost tea, molasses, apple cider vinegar, phosphoric acid, and seaweed extract. Sometimes I even mix this with left-over coffee. Its fine for all plants, but I think the vinegar makes it somewhat acidic; and I know my Neea has appreciated that.

Well I hope this helps, and I hope your tree gets better.
Travis

noissee · 02-25-2009, 09:23 PM

well i guess time will tell in the end. I just sprinkled some grounds on the surface...not too much...so we'll see how that works. I'll update with results in the next few weeks. by the way...I might be wrong, but i thought vinegar was a base?
thanks for your help,
nick.

02-25-2009, 02:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
T.S.Wheeler Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fredericksburg, TX / Bryan, TX Posts: 55	As in Neea Buxifolia? I've had one for two and a half years (pictured as my avatar). Its still alive, which is a good sign! Yeah, it can be a pouty plant. During the winter of 07-08 it was indoors with only artificial light. It didn't like that very much. It dropped all its leaves, re-grew them and dropped them again within a few months, scaring me thoroughly. I think I may have let it get a little too dry at times as well. This winter I've kept it indoors in a bright window, keeping it pretty moist; and while it hasn't grown any, niether has it lost any leaves. I think it must like a good bit of fertilizer when it is actively growing; mine has tended to have pale growth even with chemical fertilizer (especially when I had it in full sun in the summer). When I gave it some diluted coffee (at room temperature, of course) it greened up very nicely. I haven't given it much fertilizer this winter as it isn't growing, though. Despite the fact that my Neea is still alive, I'm not really sure what advice to give as I don't even really know why my tree is alive. Oh, well maybe it could just be a soil issue? Mine never looked happy in its original soil, which was actually a good bonsai soil (although it didn't drain that well). I repotted it in a mixture of bonsai soil and orchid soil, which I think had charcoal in it. And I mixed some used coffee grounds into the mix. Its been much happier since then. I've also been more diligent in watering, which is obviosly helpful. Hmm, but you already said you give it organic fertilizer. Is it inside or outside? And how much light is it getting? If its outside, what are the temps like? And the soil is free-draining, but do you keep it moist? I don't think it likes to dry out much at all. The only other thing I could think of is lack of trace elements; I recently read that they need iron and calcium twice a year. I couldn't find whether they like acid or alkaline soil, but I imagine neutral would be suitable. Anyway I doubt this issue would lead to such relatively sudden signs of stress. I hope this is more helpful than confusing; I guess Neea isn't the easiest tree to use as bonsai. Keep us updated Travis Last edited by T.S.Wheeler; 02-25-2009 at 03:32 AM.. Reason: I accidentally posted before I was finished typing

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02-25-2009, 11:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
noissee Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: florida panhandle Posts: 206	I was thinking about putting some coffee grounds on it, and if yours liked it...then I would deduce that it is a plant that likes a little acidity. I've been keeping it outside, and bringing it in overnight when the temps are below 45F. Have you ever had leaves like this? I'm kinda thinking about using a fungicide and seeing if that helps. thanks for your reply nick.

02-25-2009, 04:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
T.S.Wheeler Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fredericksburg, TX / Bryan, TX Posts: 55	Yeah, my tree has done this several times in its short history. I had never thought of using a fungicide; I guess I never really knew what the problem was anyway. Really, I think they just don't like the winter season for the change of location, light, temperature, etc. That seems to be the time my tree is most unhappy; although this year it hasn't fussed at all. All I can think is that I may have let it get too dry and not provide enough light. On the other hand, I didn't realize they prefer part sun until last spring. During the previous summer I had it in full sun, and it didn't like that much either. I've heard that Neea have nice flowers in the spring and fruit in the summer. I have yet to make mine happy enough to flower; maybe this spring... I'm sure the new soil will help. I didn't even make the connection about the coffee grinds being acidic; that makes perfect sense. Another thing to try: I forget exactly all the benefits of using wood ash, but I know it is good for plants when aplied to the soil (definately not on the leaves). I have done this with my fukien tea trees to try to build their immune systems against aphids, but it hasn't helped too much. I know its frustrating because the cause of the problem is so elusive, making it difficult to find a solution. I just sort of baby my try until it returns to health, which it always has so far. A note on coffee grinds: I have added them to many plants, and it is always a helpful boost. However, when applied to the surface of the soil, it seems to become almost a water repelent after several days or weeks. This doesn't really seem to be a problem when the grinds are mixed into the soil, but if you aren't about to repot your tree and change its soil, maybe you could just mix the grinds with some coarse sand to improve water absorbtion. Also, if you have left-over coffee, just let it cool off and dilute it a little. Another thing I use on my trees: Garrett Juice, available at Lowe's. Its organic, made of compost tea, molasses, apple cider vinegar, phosphoric acid, and seaweed extract. Sometimes I even mix this with left-over coffee. Its fine for all plants, but I think the vinegar makes it somewhat acidic; and I know my Neea has appreciated that. Well I hope this helps, and I hope your tree gets better. Travis

02-25-2009, 09:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
noissee Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: florida panhandle Posts: 206	well i guess time will tell in the end. I just sprinkled some grounds on the surface...not too much...so we'll see how that works. I'll update with results in the next few weeks. by the way...I might be wrong, but i thought vinegar was a base? thanks for your help, nick.

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