Natal Mahogany Drastic Decline

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
juanderlust Washington D.C., United States Jan 10, 2014

I recently had a friend looking after a Natal Mahogany that has done very well in our Washington, DC apartment. A couple of weeks ago I moved the plant to her office a few blocks away while I was away and I picked it up this past Tuesday. The plant looked great. I brought it home in the car on a three minute trip home and carried the plant outside for less than 5 minutes-- but it was extremely cold out that day. Starting Wednesday it started to look less great and by Thursday and Friday it had wilted a great deal. The decline has been very significant over the span of a few days and I'm worried the plant may die. Normally, it's not finicky and likes a lot of water-- I tried giving it more water and it was not help. I also have trimmed away some of the more dead leaves. My only guesses are that it either really 1) loved the spot it was at my friend's office and doesn't like being back in our apartment or 2) that brief exposure to the extreme cold has put the plant into shock.

Any suggestions on what might be going on and what to do would be greatly appreciated!

Thumbnail by juanderlust Thumbnail by juanderlust
Post #9744599
Quote
speediebean Somewhere in, MD(Zone 7b) Jan 20, 2014

A couple things come to mind that you might try, to start with.

1: have you stuck your fingers down into the soil (between waterings) to see how wet/dry it is? I mean waayyy down in there.

2: have you asked your friend to give you a detailed description of how it was cared for in your absence? Those answers might offer some clues.

If neither of those things offer up any clues as to what it might be, then interestingly enough, it probably was the very brief exposure to the very cold. These trees are natives of Africa, and not tolerant of such cold.

P.S. A suggestion or 2 if I may: Give it a pruning to remove all "offending" parts; but also, give it a slight root pruning as well, to compensate. Re-pot after the root pruning, give it a good organic fertilizer and plenty of water, then cross your fingers. < =/

Post #9751672
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener Threads

Go to all Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener threads
BACK TO TOP