murraya paniculata

Hi,

I bought a murraya paniculata in Jan from Sainsbury's, thinking it was an unusual houseplant i hadn't heard of before! It has been fine till now on an east facing windowsill, but some new growth is shrivelled and older leaves are dropping rapidly. What have i done? Can anyone tell me if this plant would be better in the garden and what it' requirements are please? Have trawled every book and website for info, but i don't want to turn it into a bonsai and this is all i've found. Thanks

 

Orange Jasmine

needs a minimum of 13c its a tender plant, could the temps have dropped next to the window during a frost?

Steve

 

maybe too warm or not watered or ...overwatered, I'm not familiar with this perticular plant, think it's from the Jasmin family, may need cooler and outdoors later. Just persevere it should leaf up later, if it's not gone.

 

Thanks guys.

SteveW - no, we've had very little frost down here (really lucky) and it has been on a warm kitchen windowsill. The temp hasn't gone very low in the windowsill all winter i'm pretty sure! It has sun all morning until about 1-2pm. I wonder if temperature fluctuations are affecting it. When i cook it can get quite hot in the kitchen!

 

Yep it could well be the opposite then too hot

 

Hi Primrose check out the links below + remember the temp drops quite dramatically at night even without frost.
http://www.romantic-garden-nursery.co.uk/catalogue/default.asp?cat=197
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Rutaceae/Murraya_paniculata.html
Also known as Murraya exotica, it's related to Skimmia & Citrus (used as grafting stock for this too) & is native to India & Malaysia. Needs 13-15C, Full sun to partial shade (East facing may be too shady). Rich but well drained potting medium.Might be an idea to see whats going in in the pot - look for any pests & to see if the roots are healthy. Lots of water when in active growth, sparingly when not. You can prune it in late winter. The leaves can be used to flavour curry (Curry leaf plant is a relative)

[ April 14, 2005, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: Bayleaf ]