My portulacaria afra is getting tons of new leaves but they’re all light green and fall off easily. This is nutrient deficiency if I’ve ever seen it, but fertiliser doesn’t help. Any ideas? I don’t think it’s sunstress, either.

  • Chiwiu@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    I’d bet it’s missing sunlight, those things thrive in direct sun.

    Second guess is that it’s overwatered… does that pot drain well the water? it should definitely not be sitting in water and I would now water it very often.

    It can be a mix of both things

  • protist@mander.xyz
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    9 months ago

    Ditto you’re likely overwatering, which is making nutrients less available. Have you repotted it since you got it? If so, what kind of soil did you use? It needs soil with some organic matter but more perlite than typical potting soil so it drains well.

    I’d pull it out of its pot and look at the roots. They should be whitish and firm, if they’re brown and slimy they’re rotten, and those need to be removed. I’d also stop watering for a long time. If it starts to get droopy or shriveled leaves you know it’s thirsty again

  • simon@feddit.deOP
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    9 months ago

    Thank you. It’s definitely not too much shade, it has always been on a south facing window. Maybe the soil is garbage. I’ll check the roots for rotting as soon as I have good new succulent soil.