Anyone know what’s happening to my Honey Locust?
I’ve been growing this #CommonHoneylocust from seed for about 4 months or so. It’s been doing great and growing a lot. I had it out on my porch getting light from all directions and about 1-3 hours of direct sunlight. I recently moved it inside and things started going downhill. It’s a few feet from a southeast facing window. Not a lot of direct sunlight. I’m thinking maybe the leaves are dropping because of the lack of sunlight so I’ve been using a grow light periodically. Been watering like normal. Not sure why all the leaves are falling off. Any ideas? Thank you 🙏🏼
2ft to light, direct
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 8 months ago
3
Can I first ask why you moved her indoors? They don't do well indoors and require outside temps, light and dormancy to do well. It is an incredibly cold tolerant tree. It can handle ice storm and -40 degree temps. While she's young she does need protection. I understand that but I wouldn't bring her indoors. I would cover her in winter or place her in a shed or garage so she still goes dormant but is protected from the most extreme weather. Once she is a bit older 2+ years she will no longer need protection especially if you plant her in the ground. If you keep them in a pot they need a little extra care.
It sound like you took her from outside and just moved her suddenly indoors. What happens when you do that is they experience shock. It happens from the extreme change in conditions. They will then drop leaves and look sickly until they adapt to the new conditions.
Whenever you move a plant indoors or outdoors they must be transitioned slowly. This helps them adapt and adjust without having to experience shock.
Day 1&2 2 hours in
Day 3&4 4 hours in
Etc until they are fully indoors.
Now, if you recently moved her I would just put her right back outdoors if she has been indoors you will have to transition her back to outdoors.
Use the same schedule, starting in shade. Then do the schedule again to move her back to direct sun.
It sound like you took her from outside and just moved her suddenly indoors. What happens when you do that is they experience shock. It happens from the extreme change in conditions. They will then drop leaves and look sickly until they adapt to the new conditions.
Whenever you move a plant indoors or outdoors they must be transitioned slowly. This helps them adapt and adjust without having to experience shock.
Day 1&2 2 hours in
Day 3&4 4 hours in
Etc until they are fully indoors.
Now, if you recently moved her I would just put her right back outdoors if she has been indoors you will have to transition her back to outdoors.
Use the same schedule, starting in shade. Then do the schedule again to move her back to direct sun.
@SuperbRaspfern thank you for the response. I moved it inside cuz some of the leaves were getting nibbled by something. I also want to train them (I have a couple small trees) to be inside because I’m going to be bringing them to college. I’m probably gonna need to rely on the grow lamp to give them enough light
@jtizzle while some trees do well indoors. I have many that do, the Honey Locust is not one of them unfortunately. I just don't like to give people false hope. I do however understand where you are coming from.
If you have to and there is no alternative you should put her in a south facing window. That will provide better light than a grow a light. Grow lights will never be as powerful as the sun.
Expect her to take a few weeks of continued leaf loss due to the shock. But she should start putting out new growth. When winter nears you can reach out again and I will share some tips to encourage dormancy indoors.
If you have to and there is no alternative you should put her in a south facing window. That will provide better light than a grow a light. Grow lights will never be as powerful as the sun.
Expect her to take a few weeks of continued leaf loss due to the shock. But she should start putting out new growth. When winter nears you can reach out again and I will share some tips to encourage dormancy indoors.