I finally found the time to re-pot my pachira. Since I last posted I did not water it at all, and the leaves have been holding steady, with many showing brown edges or looking yellow but still lots of healthy green, especially on one side. I bought cactus mix, since I am in a condo with a very small balcony and I don't really have a work space to sift or mix soil. Without recent watering the soil was easy to remove from the pot, the whole thing did become much lighter (remember I said I could barely lift it - must have been way too much water retained). Though still difficult to fit through the doorway out onto the balcony I managed at an angle. The soil was not actually compacted it was easy to remove from what I hesitate to call a "root ball" because really, I have never seen anything like this plant under the soil (I have never had a pachira before). It has a trunk about 6" across the widest part (5 stems braided) and under the soil surface this continued about 6" down, where it ended in a flat bottom, looks like it had been sawed off and plunked in soil. There were a very few pathetic roots coming out from the main stem, and that's it. I can't even believe this plant stays alive with this few roots, my herbs have far more roots than this 8' tree! I did not go down to a smaller pot, partly out of stability concerns - I don't want it falling over due to the tree height. It's actually in a 14" diameter pot when I measured it, earlier I think I said bigger but that was my eyeball estimate. I planted it in the cactus mix, which came moist so I will not water it until it dries out more. I also added a layer of gravel under the real pot, inside the decorative pot to improve air flow and ensure no water sits - though the water seemed to stay in the soil itself and never came out the bottom, I can tell since there are no water stains in the outer pot (our hard water leaves very obvious marks) I also think I should use distilled water, because our incredibly hard tap water is very alkaline and contains so many different contaminants. Questions: 1. when should I first fertilize it (with liquid Foliage Pro) 2. should I be concerned that the cactus mix came quite moist and that it does not seem much different than the soil that the plant came in? The cactus mix contains redwood bark, peat moss and vermiculite. Thanks again for all your help!

@greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a thank you for the reply! I think the mix it's in is pretty fast draining. It could probably have more perlite, but it's not bad. That's' why I was wondering if it's the size of the pot that's' the problem. The roots were basically non-existent when I was repotting the tree, so I was wondering if it's too large for it. As I only need to water it every 3-4 weeks or so before the soil is dry after on a finger length. Otherwise, if it's maybe some kind of fungus or something like that. I've attached photos of the leaves and the pot below. The odd texture spots seem to be attacking more and more leaves and are getting bigger and discoloured. Do you think repotting as well as cutting down all of the branches apart from trunks might be a good idea for it to regrow healthy foliage? I tried cutting down the unhealthy leaves, but it's not disappeared.

I am attempting to grow some wild rice (zizania aquatica) in a small seasonal creek in my backyard. I just got the seed I ordered and have yet to plant it. I have widened and deepened the creek in one area, about 18 feet long. It is deep enough that it should retain water all year long, unless we get a severe drought. Does anyone have suggestions about sowing the seed, or other growing advice? I live in central AL, 7b. Thanks

Hey. I just bought a pachira aquatica from a store and im not sure how to raise it. I am thinking along the lines of: water once a week mist once a week 3-5" pot braided indirect sunlight in summer/winter; direct in spring/fall watered from bottom apparently it is native to wetlands so i am going to try more water...i hope it grows for a long time. is it bad to have a few shriveled leaves here and there? Also: it came with a tie to keep it braided; i loosened it and i saw indents in the trunk! will that harm the tree? Just in case i loosened it. Thanks ahead, A.B.