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The Ming Aralia (Polyscias fruiticosa) is not a typical beginner plant. It requires much more care than other indoor plants.
However, it is not impossible to make this plant thrive even if you have little gardening experience.
We discuss the most common problems when growing a Ming Aralia and how to fix them.
Contents
What are common problems with a Ming Aralia?
yellowed leaves
drop the leaves
Browning Ming Aralia Plant
Yellowing leaves on a Ming Aralia
Any time you see leaves turning yellow, take it as an indication that your watering schedule needs to be adjusted.
You may have overwatered the plant or planted it in potting soil that does not drain well.
The pot could also be the culprit, as it may not have enough exit holes or it may be sitting on top of the water preventing the free flow of excess water.
In this case, you can adjust the irrigation schedule while checking for root rot.
You can do this by tilting the pot and pulling the plant out to check the roots. If they appear soggy, you may need to repot the plant to remove the damaged areas.
However, also note the degree of yellowing. If this happens gradually, it indicates that the soil no longer has enough nutrients.
This doesn’t mean you should start adding inputs to the soil right away, as too much fertilizer can damage the roots. Instead, you need to adjust the fertilization schedule.
Let’s take a detailed look at all these possible causes and their solutions:
Ming Aralia Irrigation Program
The Ming Aralia is a bit finicky when it comes to water requirements.
For one thing, it loves moisture and does well in humid conditions. On the other hand, it is prone to root rot, and if you water more than necessary, it can die.
As such, you should always find a balance between refusing water and overwatering.
Underwater is just as bad, but not as bad as too much water. In fact, the Ming Aralia will warn you when it has less water by shedding its leaves.
If you see this, start adding more water to the soil, but slowly. Ideally, you should only water the plant when the top two inches of soil are dry.
Otherwise, you can leave it on the damp ground. The good thing is that the plant can withstand long periods of neglect.
It is safer to let it dry out than to kill it with root rot.
The conditions of your home also determine how much water you need to give the soil. If you live in a warm area with bright light, you may need to moisten the soil often.
However, if you live in a colder region, you might want to stay in the water a bit longer. However, you should never let the root ball dry out completely. Let only the top two inches dry.
When you water, do it carefully to flush the soil with water. Drain the excess water and return the pot to its original position.
During colder months, adjust the watering schedule and water the plant less, but don’t let the root ball dry out.
You may also need to check the condition of the leaves to determine if the water you are using is good for the plant.
Using alkaline or mineralized water can cause white deposits on the leaves. If this happens, you may want to try rainwater or other clean sources.
If you need help watering your ming aralia plant, try this Automatic drip irrigation kit.
Soil conditions for to ming aralia
The good news is that the Ming Aralia doesn’t require you to strain when it comes to background.
As long as you make sure the soil is airy and well-drained with a pH of 6-6.5, the plant should do well.
This slight acidity is easily obtained with organic materials that you can obtain directly from your dumpster or from a nearby nursery.
Most people use peat moss with perlite, pumice, or coarse sand to improve the drainage ability of the soil, while retaining enough water to help the plant survive.
The last thing you want is to submerge the roots in water, as this can promote root rot, which will kill the plant.
If you’re not sure which combination will work best for your plant, try working with equal parts potting soil, inorganic materials, and peat moss.
That should do the magic. And again, pay attention to how often you water.
pot size in front of to ming aralia
In most cases, you will hardly ever need to repot your plant. You will find that many people avoid repotting as it stresses the plant and causes the leaves to drop.
The good news is that the plant will recover over time if you give it the proper care.
What if the plant is root bound? You can repost it. But just to be on the safe side, fill the pot with roots so that you only move the plant a few times, ideally every three years.
However, if you want the plant to be small, you can spread it out even more when repotting, as long as it doesn’t affect the longevity of the plant.
However, if you notice water overflowing when you water the plant, it may be time to move the plant.
The same is true if you notice a yellowish color on the leaves. In most cases, as long as you fertilize the soil frequently, the plant can stay in the pot for a while before you need to move it.
Does size matter? Not until the roots have filled the pot.
Again, you need to make sure the pot has enough drainage holes; otherwise the roots will settle in the water and cause root rot.
You may want to study this before changing your watering schedule. Many people like to increase the humidity of the plant by placing the pot above water.
Although it’s a good idea, you should use a pebble tray, as the pebbles can support the pot and allow excess water to drain. Otherwise, the pot would be constantly standing on top of the water, drowning the roots.
Spring is the best time to transplant the plant. You’ll know it’s time to repot when the root ball has filled the pot and a few large roots have circled the bottom of the pot.
Additionally, you may need to repot if the plant has developed root rot.
When transplanting to cover the damage, it is not necessary to increase the size of the pot. But if the transplant is from a rooted plant, just increase the size of the pot.
If you like this article, check out our article on how to solve your wood sorrel (red clover) problems.
Fertilization in front of to ming aralia
The plant only needs to be fertilized three times a year during the growing seasons. Try this easy to use fertilizer to give your plant a boost.
However, if you live in a cold region, the plant will need less fertilizer. Note that overfeeding the soil has worse effects than underfeeding the plant.
When your plant receives less nutrients than needed, the leaves begin to turn yellow.
In this case, you can use half of NPK 10-10-10 to stimulate growth. Only do this during active growing seasons and never feed the plant in the winter.
Ming Aralia has falling leaves
It is normal for the plant to lose its leaves naturally during the year.
As long as there is new growth on top, don’t worry too much.
However, if leaf fall is too heavy, you may need to revise your maintenance practices. This can be the result of:
Movement
If you recently purchased the plant and moved it to a new home, you will likely notice leaf drop in the first instance.
The plant reacts to stress by shedding its leaves. But once that’s settled, it’ll be fine. The same goes for transplanting the plant. This is normal and will pass soon.
Poor care practices
If the plant hasn’t been moved or repotted and is losing leaves, you may need to investigate things like:
- low humidity
- Overwatering or flooding the plant
- starve the plant
- The need for grafting
- Salt residues due to too much manure on the ground
If you find any of these issues to be the cause of leaf drop, correct it and your Ming Aralia should return to moderate leaf drop.
to tan Ming Aralia Plant
If the leaves and stems turn brown, the plant may be getting too little light and having watering problems.
You can fix this problem by troubleshooting watering issues and looking at the lighting.
Relief
The Ming Aralia does well in moderate indirect light, although it can still thrive in soft sun.
In low light, the stems become long and spindly and the leaves begin to turn pale.
Place the plant in a well-lit area and protect the leaves with straws from direct sunlight.
If your ming aralia plant has trouble finding light, try East to help control lighting.
Plagues and diseases
If your plant is healthy, you don’t have to worry much about diseases and pests.
If you find an infestation, you may need to question your care practices and what to do better.
Mites, for example, can affect the plant in low humidity. Next, you need to increase the humidity. Other pest problems on your Ming Aralia include:
- mealybugs
- nematodes
- white fly
- aphids
- Armored plant scale
Take the example of dust mites. These can attack an underwater plant.
Can Ming Aralia be grown indoors?
Yes, it is very easy to grow a ming aralia indoors provided you take care of:
- good ventilation
- Adequate lighting: bright, indirect light.
- High humidity – minimum 50%
- Controlled temperatures – 65ºF (18ºC) to 855°F (29°C). Any temperature below 15°C can cause dormancy.
During the growing season, the plant may do better outdoors. However, keep in mind that any movement is associated with significant leaf loss.
Final Thoughts: How to Troubleshoot Ming Aralia
As long as your Ming Aralia receives bright indirect light and grows in well-drained, moist, airy soil, you should have no problem growing well.
You can make it thrive even more by watching the temperature range, increasing the humidity, and fertilizing it throughout the growing seasons.
For added beauty, remember to prune and shape this plant.
Before you go, here are some more related articles that I encourage you to read below to solve more of your gardening problems:
Best Tall Houseplants for Low Light
Common Dieffenbachia Problems and How to Fix Them
How to Troubleshoot Your Schefflera Plant
How to Fix Sago Palm Problems
Happy gardening!
Written by: Daisy Njeric