Find Your Ask the Expert: Aralia Fabian dying? I have a large Aralia Fabian on hydroculture which has been doing great for 4 years now. Since three weeks it suddenly starts losing all of its younger leafs and branches and is really getting ‘balder’ by the day. I have no idea what happened, I changed nothing in my routine. The plant was not moved, there have been no changes in watering, light, or humidity conditions. There is no visible problem, no discoloration, no marks or spots. It almost looks like it’s getting too much or too little water, but as I said, I’ve used the same routine for 4 years now and never had a problem. Any clues what could be going on, and can I still save my plant? Thanks! Stephan
Stephan,
Aralia Fabian (Polyscias speices) has a few pests that can cause wilting and a general decline in the plant. Those pests are spider mites, mealybugs and root-knot nematodes. I am ruling out the possibility of mealybugs because – mealybugs are visible to the naked eye and not present in the picture. Spider mites, however, are not visible to the naked eye. You will need a magnifying glass – look at the backside of a wilted leaf and a healthy leaf – if you see activity on the leaf, you have spider mites. In this case, you will need to spray the Aralia Fabian with an insecticide. Your local garden center should have a houseplant spray that is appropriate for this situation. To check for root knot nematodes, you will need to see the roots. Since this plant is grown hydroponically that should be easy. If the roots have a swelled appearance, you probably have nematodes and will need a nemacide. Your local garden center can help you find the right nemacide for this situation.
You will need to trim out any of the dead. When you depose of the dead material; do not put it in your compost pile – put it in the garbage. Clean your pruning shears with a light bleach and water solution after you finish trimming the plant.
Once you have corrected the problem your Aralia Fabian should make a full recovery.
Stephen
Instead of using an insecticide. Try spraying your plants thoroughly with Neem Oil. You should also spray around the base of the plant and on top of the Hydroton. Spray again in about 10 – 14 days. The mixture we use is 4ml – 6ml per litre of water and 5 – 8 drops of wetting agent. We find it applies best when we sit the sprayer in a container of hot water for a few minutes (tap water hot is sufficient) Shaking the spray bottle as we apply the Neem Oil ensuring it blends well. We’ve been using it for sometime now and have seen astonishing results.
If your plant has been sitting in the same container for the past 4 years. It would be a good idea to remove the plant (keeping it in the inner pot), give it a good rinse and clean the inside of the outer pot and water-level indicator.
PurLec Hydroculture
Purlec,
Thanks for the suggestion. I haven’t had any experience with hydroculture – being a grimey soil girl. I didn’t even consider Neem Oil, but it would be perfect for this situation. I have used Neem Oil on Roses but not on any of my houseplants. Thanks again for the new perspective.
I have heard a solution of water and dishsoap may work on spider mites, though I have never tried it myself.
I just got my first indoor Aralia fabian and i was wondering, since it needs “little watering” would it be ok if i water it once a week ???
That should work! Just don’t overwater it. Allow the top inch or so of soil to dry before you want to water it again.
Thanks, i also opened holes with a drill on the bottom of the pot to help with the drain and not let the water seat there and avoid the roots to rot, i hope that is ok, i just don’t want it to die just because of my ignorance.
I also read it somewhere.
Has anyone ever had their aralia Fabian droop for no reason? All of the branches are falling over as if they need bracing although they are not mushy. Did I underwater it?
I have it in the sink soaking and hoping to see some movement soon! Thanks for any tips!
My plant started to lose leaves, then the branches started to bend over, then the whole thing just started dying and I didn’t know what to do. I trimmed back the dead branches and checked the trunk and I think that it started to rot. I think I have lost it, and I am so sad about it. I was watering once a week, and not letting any water stay in the tray. Can I salvage the trunk and reroot it? Don’t know what to do.
You can definitely try that Vickie. Hope re-rooting the trunk works for you :)
My Fabian Aralia has been growing beautifully from the top. I water only when dry. Lots of the lower leaves have started to dry up. Is this common in the winter?
Hi Jan,
If your Fabian Aralia is located in a place to experience the winter chill, that the leaves are reacting to the change of temperature. You might need to move it to an area that is warmer and near 70-degree temps.