Monkeypod seedling leaves curling up

MonkeyPodUK · White Belt Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 2

I've got a 6 week old Monkey Pod seedling grown from seed, it's been doing fine and is now about 150mm high and has about 17 leaves.

As they do the leaves fold up on an evening but I've noticed that a few of the leaves are beginning to turn paler and curl up at the end.

I haven't varied from what I've been doing up to now and the plant hasn't been moved into a new environment so I'm not sure what is causing this or how serious it is.

The seedling is kept indoors (I'm in the UK) and is in a south facing window so it gets as much sunlight as anything else does in our summer! It's potted in a plastic pot about 50mm high and 60mm in diameter at the top in bonsai compost from a local diy store. The soil doesn't seem to dry out very quickly and so I have been watering it every 3 - 4 days - I pour a little water on and stop when it begins to come out of the drainage holes.

Does anyone have any idea why it's leaves should start curling now or what I'm doing wrong?

zzt6688

HI-a MonkeypodUK,
I never heard of a monkey pod tree, and my guess is that neither have most of the guys on this forum. Nevertheless a quick search on google gave me this link http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/pithecellobi um/saman.htm
pretty much it seems that your tree is not really an inside tree as seen below:

"Reaction to Competition- Monkey-pod is intolerant of shade. The leaves of shaded branches remain folded during the day and contribute little photosynthate. Shaded branches die back and improve the form of trees that shade each other."

you may want to take it outside, this might also help the tree in helping the soil dry up a bit more and thus will be subjected to being watered more often adding more oxygen to the soil for the roots. Another thing i read is that the tree develop a large amount of top roots, and thus becomes top heavy. You might want to check to see if the roots are not already clogging up the soil, doubt it but may be that your tree needs a repotting.

Good luck,

Stymie

Now we know thanks. I was mystified by the name at first. Had 'Raintree' cropped up in the post it might have clicked. That's an informative link from zzt and doesn't leave much else to say except 'save us a pod if it gets to the fruiting stage.' 10 feet of growth in the first season sounds amazing but it may be possible to control this tendency with rationed water Rolling Eyes

MonkeyPodUK · White Belt Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 2

Thanks Guys,

The roots aren't clogging the soil up yet. Just been away for 2 days and left in on some capillary matting so it stayed moist but it's dropped 4 leaves and a few others have a pale, parchment like look to the ends of their leaves so it's not looking good!

I'll put it outside immediately. As it's a tropical tree I suppose keeping it outside is not an option in the British winter though and I'm going to struggle with natural sunlight through the winter too.

I'll keep you posted!