A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum Cacti and Succulents Indoors Crown of thorns problem

First off HI! I'm new to this place.
Anyway, I have a crown of thorns that I think I'm going to lose. It had 4 shoots on it when I got it about 8 years ago. One shoot died about 2 years ago so i cut it off. 2 more shoots died in the last year. Now it looks like the last of it is going to go. It tried to flower about a month ago and then started looking bad. Now there is only a little green left. I only give it a little water about once a month.
I really like this plant and would like to save it.
Anybody have any ideas? If you need more info, please ask.
Thanx in advance, Tom.

Hi, Tom. Welcome.
What kind of light is your crown of thorns getting? Have you changed anything about its habitat? Placement, pot, soil? To die at 8 years of the same care would be odd.
I would put it outside in bright shade for the summer. Make sure it has soil that is fast draining and room for the roots to grow without binding. It may yet com back for you. I have one over 50 years old that is growing outside under trees. It has been nearly killed to the ground by a couple of harsh freezes but it comes back for me.

Hi Tina, and thanx.
The plant has been moved, in fact I had to move to a new house. I am right between Milwaukee and Chicago. I moved about 2 miles. The plant usually is in a south window (only good spot I have for it).
I'm curious about outside, you say yours is outside? I thought that might be too harsh, but I guess not. I haven't re potted it yet. Honestly that makes me nervous.
The plant is probably 4 feet tall, the pot is approx. 12 to 14 inches across, 12 inches deep.
Lately I've been putting it outside in direct sunlight during the day since it's been so nice here. Do you think I should find a little shade, and, should I leave it outside?
Thank you so much for the quick reply, I appreciate your knowledge! "Tom"

I live in southern California. Many things considered houseplants elsewhere thrive here outdoors. The move may have done your plant a disservice. It may be too close to a heat register or a/c vent now. It may just need a little something to get it past the stress of moving.
They need bright shade, not direct sun. If the plant is root bound in that pot it may be part or all of the problem. It cannot drink properly that way. Or if the roots are clogging up the drainage that can cause issues.
They are thorny plants and pretty scary to handle. If and when you do re-pot it or check the conditions of the root or soil, wear thick gloves and wrap newspaper around the plant to protect you and it as well. Handle gently.

Tina, Thanx again.
The nervousness about re potting is because I didn't want to hurt the plant, I will heal!LOL. I will try to find some bright shade, I think I have the spot!
I think I'm going to re-pot it, can you suggest a size pot and what soil, or sand mix to use?
Sorry about all the questions, but, I'm not really a botanist, I just really like this plant. Again, thank you very much......."Tom"

One pot size up from the one you have so about an inch larger. And try a cactus soil mix if you are purchasing. If not then about one part sand to 2 parts potting soil should work. Vitamin B helps with transplant shock also. If the roots are so tightly wound around following the form of the old pot you will need to loosen them or even cut through them to allow them to grow outward again. I think you may find out that is the case. If they won't untangle then I take a clean sharp knife and cut in about an inch into them straight down the side, top to bottom, in 3-4 places. Then untangle as much as you can.

Thanx so much for your help Tina.
I will be trying that today. Keeping my fingers crossed!!!!!......."Tom" :)

Crossed finger will not be so easy to work with, Tom. Wear gloves and be gentle to yourself and to your plant.

I forgot to ask, should I water the soil before I re-pot the plant or after? And how much? Thanx in advance, "Tom"

:):):):):):)

Is your potting mix damp at all? If it isn't a little water may aid you in keeping air pockets out under your plant. If it is already damp then wait to water after to help settle that soil in.

Thanx again Tina.
I've been out of town, sorry i didnt get back sooner!
Here's what I did, I got some potting soil (new out of the bag), I went down to lake Michigan and got some dry sand. I mixed 1/3 sand and 2/3 potting soil into the new pot. I then used a sharp knife to cut off the dead shoots. I re potted the plant, noticing that the root ball was about the size of my fist, I used the sharp knife to separate the roots vertically. I then put it in the new pot and gave the plant about 4 oz. of water that I mixed a B vitamin in.
I did all this the day before I left.I found a great spot w/bright shade and put it there. The next day I saw improvement, (woo-hoo!) Now that I'm back, it hasn't improved as well as I hoped, but, is still alive.
I'm hoping she comes back in full!
Thanx again for all your help! Now that I have taken my gloves off, I'm crossing my fingers!!! :):):).........."Tom"

Sounds good to me. Good luck, Tom.

Thnx!

Well Tina, it looks like I lost the battle!
The plant is down to one leaf, and that leaf looks bad. I really want to thank you for trying to help. I guess I'll just have to try another one and see if it will go 9 yrs. and beet my old record.lol......Thanx again........"T"

I got a new crown of thorns plant today, and am wondering a couple things.
The tag say's to feed it once a month during growing season. When is growing season, and how often to feed in off season? Also, it say's to allow soil to dry between thorough waterings. Does this mean to soak the soil?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanx....."T".....

They usually have a slow down in growth during the winter months. So you don't feed or water much. I never let my things go completely dry although fairly dry. But that is because of the climate I live in, desert. Plants can dry up so fast here that they don't recover, roots shrivel and die. So I am not qualified to answer that question well.

Thanx for the reply, Tina.
Wish me luck and I'll post back later!
........"T".......