Hi,
I been having problems with my two pandanus veitchii plants these past months. Some of the leaves have been turning yellow and some have turned brown and shriveled up. I water then once a week and have placed them in a big bucket with rocks where they sit on top. I also add water to the bottom so that they get humidity. The water at the bottom does not hit the plants at all. I also once in a while mist them with water. Not too frequently. I just don’t know what is happening to them. I was just wonder if you can give me any answers to my problem as I don’t want to loose them. Thanks
Thank you for contacting the Toronto Master Gardeners. There are a few things that could be contributing to the problems you are having with your Pandanus ‘Veitchii’.
It could be that they need repotting. It’s best to do this every year or two in the early spring so that the plant has room to expand during the growing season. Choose pots that are at least a couple of inches bigger than the current pots, but not significantly bigger, and have drainage holes. Use any good houseplant potting soil that will provide good drainage and be careful not to damage the roots.
It could also be that you have been overwatering your plants. P. ‘Veitchii’ like the top layer of the soil to be dry but not to be completely dry throughout before being thoroughly watered. And they need less water when they are dormant (winter).
It could also be that salts and other chemicals from fertilizer have built up in your soil. You can see this buildup especially on clay pots. To reduce salt buildup, regularly run water through the pot 3-4 times to flush out the salts through the drainage hole. It also helps to repot regularly.
And finally it could be that your plants have spider mites. These are tiny bugs that you will need a magnifying glass to be able to see, but you will notice some webbing around the leaves. To manage spider mites you can wipe down or spray the leaves with water, or diluted alcohol and water, or insecticidal soap.
Here is a website with information about common indoor plant problems that you might find helpful :
Good luck with your plants !