Got a new plant, don’t wanna kill it 😅
I got a Mesquite tree as a gift from a teacher yesterday, and I really wanna keep it alive. I don’t know how much/how often to water it, and sources online were confusing or not applicable to how young my tree is. Any other tips would be appreciated! #NewGrowth #NewPlantMom
0ft to light, indirect
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 days ago
3
This is a very young sapling that doesn't have a well-established root system yet. It should be in a much smaller pot until it's larger. What will happen after you water it, the small, delicate roots can only absorb what they need, then they're left sitting in a bunch of excess damp soil, which can lead to root rot. Mesquite trees are very drought tolerant once established, but for now you should be letting the soil almost but not completely dry out between waterings. A wooden chopstick is helpful for checking soil moisture further down in the pot. If soil sticks to the chopstick, it's still damp and you should wait to water. If the chopstick pulls out clean, that means the soil is dry and you should water, slowly, until it starts to pour out the drainage holes. As for light, they need a LOT of direct sun. It won't survive in indirect light. Place it in a south or west-facing window with no obstructions that receives at least 3-4 hours of direct sun a day.
@stephonicle what size pot would you recommend? Also, thank you for giving me such an in depth response, it’s already very helpful!
@ThePurpleMando Actually, on second thought, you're probably better off leaving it in this pot. Young saplings and their roots are super fragile, and repotting causes plants a lot of stress. As long as you don't overwater and the soil doesn't stay too wet for too long.
Which reminds me, I'd strongly recommend removing those rocks from the top of the soil. They can trap moisture around the base of the stem, plus they make it harder to check the soil's moisture level prior to watering ☺️
Which reminds me, I'd strongly recommend removing those rocks from the top of the soil. They can trap moisture around the base of the stem, plus they make it harder to check the soil's moisture level prior to watering ☺️
