What to Do When a Peace Tree Drops Its Leaves and They Droop? Master These Potted Care Methods

Because its tissues are rich in cinnamon oil, Cinnamomum kotoense (Lanyu cinnamon) can give off a fragrance that corrects odors and purifies the air, so people gave it the auspicious name "Peace Tree." It is very popular, but during cultivation the leaves of the peace tree often droop. What exactly causes this? And how can it be saved? What should you do when a peace tree drops its leaves?

What to Do When a Peace Tree Drops Its Leaves

1. When buying the plant, it was never properly established in its pot; the seller simply brought the plant in from elsewhere, then potted it and grew it as a double-potted plant.

2. Flower vendors all wrap the roots together in yellow clay, so the roots cannot absorb water or nutrients at all; the soil should be replaced.

3. Long-term nutrient deficiency. If nitrogen fertilizer has not been applied for a long time, or the pot and water have not been changed, the water lacks nitrogen and other nutrient elements, causing the branches and leaves to become thin and weak, and the leaves to be thin and yellow. You need to promptly change to fresh culture water and gradually apply more dilute, decomposed liquid fertilizer or compound flower fertilizer.

4. Over-fertilization. Too much fertilizer causes new leaves to become thick and fleshy, and often uneven and bumpy, while old leaves dry at the tips, turn scorched yellow and fall off. Fertilizing should be stopped immediately, the amount of water changed should be increased so the fertilizer is washed away, or the plant should immediately be taken out of the pot, the bulb roots rinsed with water, and then replanted in the pot.

5. Hot, high temperatures. If the plant is placed in a high-temperature spot and exposed to direct strong sunlight, it is very easy for the leaf tips and leaf margins of young leaves to become scorched, or for leaves to turn yellow and fall off. It should promptly be moved to a well-ventilated, cool place.

6. Excessive shade. If the plant is kept in a shaded place or a spot with insufficient light for a long time, the branches and leaves will turn yellow.

7. Soil and water that are too alkaline. Because the water lacks absorbable soluble iron and other elements, the leaves will gradually turn yellow. When planting, choose acidic soil and water, and during the growing period often water with alum fertilizer water.

Peace Tree Leaves Drooping

First, drooping leaves on a newly bought peace tree is a fairly common phenomenon. Because both the soil and the pot are new, the peace tree very easily develops drooping leaves. The remedy is to take the peace tree, pot and all, to the bathroom or another place where water can drain easily, water it excessively to make sure the soil is thoroughly soaked, with water flowing out of the drainage holes, and at the same time also soak the flower pot. Basically, after one day the peace tree can recover its vitality.

Second, drooping peace tree leaves may be caused by a change in environment. During growth, the peace tree needs fairly good light; apart from shading it from the blazing summer sun, it must be given fairly good light at other times. The suitable growing temperature for the peace tree is 20°C to 30°C.

Third, over-watering the peace tree. It may be that too much water was given, causing too much water around the roots and rotting them, or the soil may be unfavorable, or drainage may be too slow, causing problems with the roots and making the peace tree's leaves droop. The peace tree likes water but should not be waterlogged; especially when light is poor and temperatures are low, the frequency of watering should be reduced even more, and misting the leaves should be the main method.

Potted Peace Tree Care Methods

The peace tree likes a warm, humid, sunny environment; it likes light but is also shade-tolerant, and likes warm, hot places with no frost or snow, plenty of fog and high temperatures; it cannot tolerate drought, waterlogging, severe cold or dry air.

Temperature: The peace tree loves a hot, humid environment, and the best temperature is 22°C to 30°C. When the temperature rises above 32°C, shade it with a canopy and mist the leaves to increase humidity and lower the temperature, so it can maintain vigorous growth. In winter, the lowest temperature must not fall below 5°C.

Watering: The peace tree likes moist soil; water it moderately every morning and evening. In winter, mist more and water less. There must be no standing water in the pot.

Light: The peace tree needs fairly good light, but it is also fairly shade-tolerant. It is suitable for care in a semi-shaded environment; its light requirements change with age, and if the light is too strong, the leaves easily turn yellow and lose their luster, reducing their ornamental value.

Fertilizing: Fertilize the peace tree once a month; after the beginning of autumn, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer as a top dressing 2 times in a row, and in winter all forms of top dressing should be stopped to prevent fertilizer damage to the roots.

Soil: Repot small plants once a year, and change the soil of large plants once every 2 years; loosen the soil once a month during the growing season, and the best time to repot and change the soil is in spring.

Pests and diseases: Aphids are likely to appear on the tender leaves and new buds of the peace tree. After scattering plant ash on the plant, rinse it clean with water; spraying chinaberry leaf juice can effectively kill the insects; spray with a 2000-fold dilution of 10% imidacloprid wettable powder to kill them.