My China Doll is huge. It is outdoors and we hoped to keep this one small. The other one we have literally grew into a tree and is over 8 feet tall. Where do I cut it to keep it short yet maintain its natural shape?
I have a Radermachera sinica (China Doll) that wasn't doing well in the house. We planted it in the backyard about 6 or 7 years ago and it loved that. Now it is taller than our house (single story home). It has MANY white flowers that bloom all summer long that are actually quite beautiful, BUT they fall on the ground all the time causing a mess. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats, and I worry that those flowers are poisonous to my animals. So whenever I go out with them, I have to rake up all those flowers quickly so they don't decide to eat them. Am I over-reacting to this or are they actually harmful to animals?
China doll is a commonly grown houseplant that is considered non-toxic. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/keeping-your-pet-safe-identify-poison-plants-in-your-house.htm
To control its size, you can prune a third of its growth per year until its a more manageable size. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/china-doll/prune-china-doll-plant.htm
My cats nibble on all my houseplants.
If your cats have nibbled and not become seriously ill, they're probably not seriously allergic to any of your plants. I can't find China doll (radermachera) on any of the toxic lists in any case. This article has some more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/plants-toxic-to-cats.htm
The plant appears healthy except brown spots are appearing on of some of the leaves of our new China Doll plant (1-2 weeks). We plan on watering once a week and we have watered once. Is this a sign of too much water or not enough light? We have mini-blinds on our window that we keep closed during period of high heat or below 50 F. There is plenty of subdued lighting. The plant may get air movement from the ceiling fan and it is 12 ft from our patio door. We live in Arizona and keep our home at 82 F. in the summer and 75 F. in the winter.
Spots in the leaves like this usually indicate a fungus of some type, which can normally be treated with fungicide. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/plant-leaf-spots.htm
Treatment for holes in leaves of my outdoor china doll bush?
Treat the plant with Neem Oil.
Neem Oil is organic and works as both an insecticide and fungicide.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
Your article states not to repot; however, I did not know this until AFTER I repotted. Now my plant is nothing more than several tall stems. It does have some new growth sprouts but some of those are turning brown and dying. I received this plant at my Mother's funeral from a dear friend. Please, please, please HELP me save this plant!! I cannot lose it, as it means so much to me! Sincerely, Susan
Make sure the soil is not soggy and that the pot has good drainage.
Trim the plant back by half and follow the care information in the link below.
You will need to wait and see if the plant can recover.
Here are some articles with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/china-doll/prune-china-doll-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/treating-root-rot-gardening-tips-for-housplants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/china-doll/radermachera-sinica.htm
I have a China Doll plant, 6 years old, with a probably 1-inch trunk at bottom. The plant became leggy at top with nothing growing down trunk. How far down the trunk can I cut and still maintain life in the plant? My friend says it needs to be cut about 2-3 foot off. My fear is that it will kill it with no leaves. Help me, please.