What to Do When Happy Tree Leaves Curl? Cause Analysis and Recovery Methods
The happy tree (Radermachera sinica) is not only lush and full of dancing shadows, but also very elegant in form, symbolizing happiness and good fortune. In addition, the happy tree purifies the air, making it deeply loved and often placed in homes. As an indoor ornamental greenery plant, the happy tree occasionally develops curled leaves, and this is a normal phenomenon. If the curling is severe, it may be caused by the following reasons, so let us take a look together.
I. Causes of Curled Leaves in Happy Tree
1. Relaxed care, too little watering
The happy tree likes a warm and humid environment. If watered too little, the plant cannot get enough water, and the leaves consume a large amount of water through transpiration, which causes the leaves to curl. At this point, water should be replenished promptly.
2. Caused by discomfort in a new environment
A newly purchased happy tree may develop curled leaves due to changes in its living environment. The greenhouse environment is generally more ventilated and humid, while the indoor home environment is relatively dry. This sudden change in environment can have a major impact on the plant, and in severe cases can even lead to the plant's death.
3. Lack of light
Lack of light is also a major cause of curled leaves. Normal plant growth requires sufficient sunlight. Although the happy tree can tolerate shade, it cannot endure long periods in a sheltered spot. Therefore, if indoor light is too weak, the happy tree can be moved every few days to a sunny place to receive light.
4. Long periods without ventilation, poor air circulation
Another major characteristic of the indoor environment is poor ventilation, which requires us to open the windows regularly for ventilation. In winter, choose a warm midday to prevent the plant from suffering cold damage.
5. Watering too frequently, or long-term water accumulation causing root rot in the happy tree
Most flower growers kill their plants by watering. The happy tree likes a warm and humid environment, but not water accumulation. If the plant's root system is damaged, it will inevitably limit the plant's growth.
II. How to Grow Happy Tree Well?
1. Soil
For potted happy trees, use a loose, fertile growing medium that drains and breathes well and is rich in organic matter. It is usually mixed with 5 parts garden soil, 3 parts leaf mold, 1 part decomposed organic fertilizer, and 1 part river sand. During the growing season, loosen the soil once a month to ensure the root area always remains well aerated.
2. Temperature
The happy tree likes warm and hot environments, with an optimal growth temperature of 20°C to 30°C. During the intense heat of midsummer, when the ambient temperature reaches above 30°C, shade should be provided appropriately with a canopy, misting of the environment and leaf surfaces should be increased, or it can be moved to a shaded, ventilated, cool place to spend the summer. When late autumn arrives and the ambient temperature drops to around 10°C, it should be moved indoors promptly.
During overwintering, it is best to maintain an indoor temperature of no less than 8°C, and it must not go below 5°C. For home potted plants, it can be moved to a room with air conditioning or an electric heater to ensure the room temperature does not fall below 8°C, so it can pass the winter safely.
3. Water
Growing the happy tree requires relatively moist soil and a relatively humid display environment. During the seedling stage, the seedbed should be kept moist, and in the hot, dry season after summer begins, even more attention should be paid to water supply. For potted Radermachera sinica, to keep it from growing too tall, watering can be appropriately controlled when new shoots emerge in spring, keeping the potting soil relatively moist.
4. Light
The happy tree is a light-loving plant that can also tolerate some shade, and can grow in full sun or semi-shade. Its seedlings are relatively shade-tolerant, and in summer shade should be provided with a canopy.
5. Fertilizer
In addition to adding an appropriate amount of decomposed cake fertilizer and 3% multi-element compound fertilizer to the growing medium, the happy tree should also be given continuous topdressing. During the growing season, a quick-acting liquid fertilizer can be applied once a month, usually decomposed cake fertilizer water.