Help with my China Doll Plant (Radermachera Sinica)

6 years ago

I bought a large, gorgeous China Doll plant about 10 days ago. I took it out of the garden shop pot and promptly replanted it in a larger terracotta pot I have here at home using fresh potting soil along with the soil it came with. I tried not to disrupt the roots and, once planted, watered it a fair amount (but didn't drown by any means). It's in front of a large sliding glass door that gets loads of afternoon sun. I was SO happy with it! Over the last 48 hours, however, the leaves are ALL drooping (not dropping off, just drooping). And the plant seems to have lost is dark green sheen. Does it NEED water? Did I water it TOO much? Is it in shock and beyond hope already? Help! And Thanks In Advance!

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Karen S. (7b, NYC)

6 years ago

Pardon me, I don't think it IS Radermachia. Leaf shape isn't China doll.

Looks like a Gardenia, look at the buds pls., a very thirsty Gardenia.

May I pls. ask what made you decide to repot it & change its mix?

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Comments (13)

Andrea ME z5b
6 years ago
I have some limited experience with this plant and it does seem to be a water hog, when you say you "watered it a fair amount" does that mean you watered until water came out of the drain hole or just a cup or so. Did you repot on the day you got it and has it been watered since then? If it wasn't watered well enough there may be roots that are drying out. If that's the case, you'll definitely want to pull it back from the sunny window and water it thoroughly, after it perks up you can gradually move it back into the brighter sun. When i grew this in the greenhouse, it was certainly happier in direct sun but I had to keep a close eye on watering as it tended to wilt very quickly. Of course it's much hotter in a greenhouse that your house and my plants were probably a bit root-bound so it may not be as much of a problem for you. It does seem to be in a bit of shock but if the leaves are still soft and not crunchy they should recover, you may have to do a little pruning to trim off anything that doesn't recover.
Laurie M thanked Andrea ME z5b
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Oh wow and that's cool! Sorry, but I'm just shocked I got the ID right this time (I'm not very plant-friendly). And yeah, my mom wants to know how big it gets, how much light and water, when to fertilize, and where would it best thrive. Her plant is now in a 6" pot an she feels it needs to be repotted. I told her she had a radermachia sinica and she went blank, and I had to say "yeah, a china doll plant", hehe. Guess she likes the name better. :-)
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Laurie M
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
OMG! I looking at photos of both I think you're right! I'm not actually much of a houseplant person and I got it as a gift. My mom said it was a china doll and I had frankly had no reason to dispute -- until I looked at the photos online of a gardenia plant. HA! As for why I repotted, I had a beautiful large pot I wanted to put it in, so I swapped it out. As I said, I'm rather a novice at all of this so perhaps that was a mistake. Happy to take further instruction. (And, based on your comments and the comment above, have now watered it again). - And I didn't change the mix. Just added a bit of additional potting soil because the new pot was a slightly different shape - and slightly larger.
Andrea ME z5b
6 years ago
Karen, I think you're right, it might not be a China Doll, I had that feeling too but decided it was because it was so wilted that it didn't look right, but now that I look closer I can see that the flower buds are all wrong and the leaves are too round. Not sure what it is but gardenia sounds like a good possibility. explaurie, maybe you can take another look at the tag....
Laurie M
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
There was no tag on it. I compared to photos of gardenia on the web and there do appear to be some closed buds, so. . . . while I am grateful to my mom for many things, I think she steered me wrong when identifying. I'm going with Gardenia. Tips NOW?! :) (not joking when I say I'm a houseplant neophyte).
Andrea ME z5b
6 years ago
Lol, I think it might be kind of an easy mistake to make, they both have very shiny leaves. Gardenias are more outdoor plants than in, it'll probably do better outside and may be planted in the ground depending on where you live
Laurie M
Original Author
6 years ago
Unfortunately, live on the 6th floor of an apartment building. No outdoor space. Should I regift it back to my mom and call it a day? It was SO pretty when I got it!
Andrea ME z5b
6 years ago
If it was me, I'd try to bring it back and see how it goes, I'd definitely try to get it back to that sunny window after it perks up, what have you got to lose, you might even be able to enjoy some fragrant flowers.
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
6 years ago
Well ladies, I'm glad to help on the ID but can't really help on care & culture. I do know plenty of folks grow them indoors. That said, they are famously temperamental plants.

Google something called 'The Suicidal Gardenia Thread' to see what I mean.
Laurie M
Original Author
6 years ago
That's funny. And actually sort of good news, Karen. Now, when I kill it (a matter of when, not if), I'll sleep better knowing that people far more skilled at gardening than I am have met a similar end. I'll update in a couple of days to let you know how I fare.
Laurie M
Original Author
6 years ago
The water started to perk it up! Parts (including buds) are still rather droopy, but it seems to be on the mend . . . for now. . . . perhaps . . . .
jamilalshaw26
6 years ago
It's looking great now!!!
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
6 years ago
Certainly looking better, pls. keep us posted & good luck w/ it.