Too Much Drainage - Anything I Can Do?

Shambhala

A while back I potted a pepper tree, and it was the first time doing so. I had read that many people had killed theres due to overwatering. I decided that since it is a drought resistant plant it would be safer to give it a lot of drainage.

A week or two later I realized the mistake I made... the thing gets BONE dry after a few days. I didn't water it for approximately 4-5 days on two occassions and the leaves started to hang and were limp. Within 12 hours after watering they are back to normal.

Next spring I am going to repot it with a better soil composition, but aside from paying extra attention to it, is there anything I can do? Could I just add some potting soil into it (without disturbing the roots too much) or should I just leave it alone?

PS: Just curious, could I use the way the leaves become flacid as a way of telling when to water, or would this be too much stress on the tree?

Thanks, and Merry Christmas

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Carl_Bergstrom

Just my 2 cents, but a well draining mix should need daily watering.

-OMC

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Shambhala

That's awesome news, I thought it needed to be thoroughly watered every week or two. But that's based on my first tree that I bought.

Thomas_J.

I have to agree with OMC. If you have a good draining soil you'll never have to worry about overwatering your tree. The only thing is you will have to be right there checking them more often to see that they don't dry out. Believe me your on the right track with a well draining soil.
Thomas J.

bonsaial1

Oh what a joy it would be to let plants go to the limp stage as a watering indicator. One would think tis would be fool proof. This will be OK an the plant once or twice a season, buit more than that will do irrepairable damage to the tissue of the leaves.

A shortstop method would be to just sphagnum moss the top of the container to keep the moisture level up, sort of like mulching the plant for winter.

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Robert

Dear Shambhala,
How long ago did you repot the Pepper tree. I imagine not too long ago.
The other suggestions about watering more frequently are good suggestions. It also occurs to me that you must be keeping this tree indoors inToronto....and I know that in winter many people keep their houses too hot in winter...sometimes as high as the 70s and 80sF. That definitely could contribute to the quick dry-out. It isn't necessarily the temperature which is harmful, but the very dry heated air. Is there another room which isn't as hot where you could keep the tree, and still protect it from the frost?
Another thing you could do, is to repot again.....not totally bare root the tree, but take out the root-ball, and put it in a larger pot with a better moisture retaiining mix. I don't think that would stress the tree very much...just lift the tree out with minimal disturbance of the root ball, but replace the rest of the soil in the pot. Then give it a thorough soaking, and go on from there.
I don't think it's a good idea to let "leaf-wilt" be the signal for watering...yes, that would stress the tree too frequently.
Hope this is helpful, and good luck with our Pepper Tree.
Robert .........in Sta.Cruz

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Robert.........in Sta.Cruz

FredL

Shambhalla, you mention potting soil. Bonsai soils is a topic that goes on forever, and what you use will depend on what you have available as much as what anybody's idea of the perfect soil mix is. However, about 1/2 small lava rock, 1/3 bark or other mulch and 1/6 loam (garden soil) works for me.

Fred

Shambhala

Thanks for all the tips, I am definetly going to try the moss idea, sounds like it'll help.

I replanted the tree about a month and a half to two months ago. It experienced some foliage dropping but has stopped about 3 weeks ago.

I'm not really worried about how hot it is but how cold it is... I'm Canadian, I love the cold so my room has the vent shut all day. I try and keep it at a reasonable level for the tree though

Shambhala

Looks like I was wrong... it doesn't take a few days, it takes one!

Yesterday afternoon I gave it a good watering, and at almost the same time today it is almost bone dry.