Castanospermum Australe (lucky bean plan)

Hi, I've got a hold of some pot plants to try and brighten up my office. One is this fabulous Castanospermum Australe or Lucky Bean plant . It's leaves are shiny and green (no curling or yellowing, no leaves dropped) and there has been new growth in the 6 weeks I've had it, but the beans at the bottom are shrinking and shriveling. I've no idea as to why.

I understand it is a tropical tree and I live in Sydney, New South Wales, but it has been definitely hot enough (25-42 degrees during the day). The plant has lots of sunlight but none directly and plenty of fresh air. I've watered it maybe weekly - maybe too much?

Any info on why my beans are shrinking would definitely be appreciated. This is my first foray into indoor plants!

regards, Jen

PS happy to provide a pic, if needed

Can you post a picture? I suspect it's just the natural thing that happens as the seeds ripen--plants in that family generally have seed pods that start off green when they're just forming, then they'll turn brown as the seeds ripen.

Thanks ecrane3, I've attached a photo from this morning. I have before photos as well if this helps

I see what you're saying now. If you look in Plant Files or on Google images there are some pics that show those looking green and others that look brown, so I'm not sure if what you've got there is abnormal or not. It does look like you may need a new pot though--looks like it's about to bust out of that one! I'm not sure if that's connected to the changes you're seeing or not.

Thanks ecrane3, from the very little I know this plant likes a sung pot more then not. I found this out on www.allexperts.com

"Lucky bean plant (Castanospermum australe) should be kept in a small pot until the soil dries out in 3 days or less. A pot that is too large can cause the symptoms you describe because it may keep the soil moist for too long (Q posted was in regards to curling, yellowing leaves)

Allow the top inch of soil to dry to the touch and then water it thoroughly. Using hard tap water will also cause the leaf yellowing. Use filtered or distilled if your tap water is on the hard side.

Provide lots of bright indirect light with a few hours of early or late day direct sun. If the only light source is through overhead frosted glass, that is probably not enough light. This may also account for it growing so tall so quickly.

Fertilize it sparingly at half strength when it is growing vigorously.

It prefers temps in the 60-80 degree range.

The bean or nut that it grows from is very toxic so keep it away from pets and small children"

but this is all I can find! The above quote constitutes my entire knowledge on this plant.

i will take your suggestion and look in the plant files

Thanks again

I would still think about repotting--there's a difference between being snug in the pot and practically bursting out of it. Even plants that enjoy being a little potbound do need to be repotted from time to time. I'd carefully pop it out of the pot and see what it looks like--if it's all a huge mass of roots and you can barely see any soil in there then it's definitely time for a larger pot.

Sure thing. I'll give it a go and see what happens. thanks again

The bean part is stored food (carbohydrates) that give the sprouting plant food/energy during the time that it is just sprouting and before the leaves ans roots have developed enough to start photosynthesis, making it an independent plant. The beans will eventually be obsolete as the plant is mature enough to manufacture (photosynthesize) its own food. Keep on gardening!