I have a Medinilla that I purchased in Cocoa Beach Florida. The leaves are curling and appear dead. I had it on the covered deck but moved it because I thought the 90* weather with not much humidity was not good for it. I moved it to a sun room with high light and average temp of 72. I cut some of the stems off and they are not dead. I have checked the moisture level with a meter and that appears to be ok according to the information I have been able to find. Should I try putting in a light shade area, in the ground?
Medinilla advise
When it was outside, did you have it in sun or shade? I have a M. magnifica and I keep it where it gets AM sun but shade for most of the day (and in those conditions, it survived our heat wave with temps 110+). If it had too much sun while being in 90 degree heat, that could cause problems for it. I believe they also enjoy humidity, so you could try misting it if the humidity is low (although being in Georgia I don't think lack of humidity is your problem...plus mine does fine outdoors here with just a daily misting, and our humidity is much lower than yours). I wouldn't plant it in the ground unless you want to dig it up again for the winter--most of the Medinilla's are at best hardy to zone 10.
Thank you for replying. It was in the shade but would get good light. Do you think that I should repot it and see if the roots are doing something kinky? I really hate to lose it. It was a beautiful plant and starting getting some blooms but they died.
Unless you suspect root rot (which it doesn't sound like to me) I don't think repotting will really accomplish anything, I don't think it's a problem with the roots, I think the problem is more in the conditions that the leaves are being exposed to. It really sounds to me like it was getting too much sun/heat, if you have a spot with even more shade than where it was before I would try that.
Mine live in cindersoil OR trees as epiphytes...so good drainage and lots of water are important..they are also in shade. Some of the Melastomas can live in full sun... You are talking about the M. magnifica, right? Shade! With bright indirect light. Mine get no fert. and grow like crazy.
Thank you for your imput. I am talking about M. magnifica and I will move it to a couple of different places to see if I can find the right spot. It is such a beautiful plant I will have to work with it to get it right.