My Xanthosoma has been struggling…
Any advice for my Xanthosoma? I recently bought a humidifier and started using it every other day, so I’m hoping that will help. I usually wait until it gets a little droopy to water. But want to avoid these brown spots. Thanks!! #XanthosomaAngelWings #Xanthosoma
6ft to light, indirect
6” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 year ago
12
@WhollyCutgrass
Could be several causes. I am assuming it is not getting too much light so not sunburn. But if this is possible, it might be solved by moving it. It could be a form of fungus as the leaves are getting too wet. Does the soil feel wet when you put your finger into it? You may be allowing it to dry out too much before watering it again if you are relying on droopy leaves rather than what the soil tells you. Do you ever fertilize it? Lots of questions to help identify the particular issue in your case.
Could be several causes. I am assuming it is not getting too much light so not sunburn. But if this is possible, it might be solved by moving it. It could be a form of fungus as the leaves are getting too wet. Does the soil feel wet when you put your finger into it? You may be allowing it to dry out too much before watering it again if you are relying on droopy leaves rather than what the soil tells you. Do you ever fertilize it? Lots of questions to help identify the particular issue in your case.
@Seymour I don’t think it’s getting too much light… about 7ft from a west-facing window with a tree blocking most of the sunlight. I bottom watered yesterday but usually I top water and don’t water again until it’s dry and drooping a little. Haven’t fertilised it since I got it in October as it’s been winter, but maybe that’s what it needs!
@WhollyCutgrass I misread your reply, so lets eliminate light as the issue. Better to underwater than overwater, I guess but you may want to just change your watering a bit and see if that helps. As it may be starting to grow more coming out of winter, it's hard to say. I think the best idea is to change one thing (watering) and monitor for improvement. Its hard for me to say as you are the person on the spot. If the pot has no drainage (as your plant status says) that might be an issue so even moving it to a pot with drainage holes could make the difference. And also gives you an opportunity to freshen the soil and check the roots.
@WhollyCutgrass yes, May not hurt. How long have you had it in that pot? May not hurt to check the roots at the very least.
@WhollyCutgrass if not the light, it really only leaves a few major alternatives- water, nutrients (soil), humidity and pests. We have eliminated light as an option, you are using a humidifier so unless it is a pest, it is the balance of water and nutrients. If you do pull it out, smelling the roots and soil can indicate if there has been any rotting. Maybe some more photos would help to get some more insight?
Thanks for sharing photos as it does help. I am thinking more and more it could be a humidity issue as it seems the issue is on the edges of the leaves, would it be fair to say the air would have been pretty dry before you introduced the humidity? If there were black or brown rings on spots I would be more inclined to consider it an issue with the watering. But, in case I am wrong, it is best to allow the soil to dry out between watering but then you say you are already doing this. You can check when this has happened by using your finger as a probe in the soil, rather than allowing the leaves to droop. The only other thing is to inspect the root to see if it needs a repot. Fertilizer may not hurt amd give it a boost to help it recover.
@Seymour I do live in Mississippi so I thought the air would have been humid enough before I got the humidifier but maybe not. I’ll check the roots, but hopefully the humidifier will help! I have it in the same room. Thanks for your advice!!
@WhollyCutgrass hard to say, having a little device that measure humidity and temperature can be handy as it can be hard to tell. A ThermoPro is quite a good price and does the job, can be found on Amazon.
Good luck with it, if it doesn't pick up from the humidifier then another issue is at play.
Good luck with it, if it doesn't pick up from the humidifier then another issue is at play.