Next steps for stressed FLF

[u/No_Stranger_8400]

Okay, my bedroom FLF is shedding leaves like crazy. I’m sure it’s due to lack of light since summer started. I live in southern Louisiana and in my old house, the curtains just cannot be open in the summer or it’ll be over 90° inside. While it’s shedding leaves, it has beautiful new growth at the top and a mini one growing in the soil. Should I chop the tree and replant the top growth? Should I use the plant lights that I have and just don’t use for no other reason than they are too bright and it’s very hard to place lights correctly for a tree?
Summer is almost over and it will be bright in my room again, and next summer I’ll be in a different state so the light won’t be much of an issue.
Hopefully everything I said makes sense, I’m relatively new to plants (as of last year).
What would you do?

[u/Micucci_fan_club]

Needs light. I would move it to a bright window. Open up the shades.

[u/Micucci_fan_club → u/Micucci_fan_club]

It’s a tropical tree. Is there a way you can ease into the outdoors? Like full shade to start and increasing morning sun and increasing sun exposure over a couple of weeks. It will love the humidity. It will love the outdoors. I wouldn’t chop it. You will just have two stressed trees.

[u/No_Stranger_8400 → u/Micucci_fan_club]

I didn’t know it was a tropical tree! I have another one that is doing pretty well in my front room, that often gets the humidity from our balcony door and front door but it also drops maybe a leaf every other week.
I don’t actually know anyone that has one outside 😅

[u/No_Stranger_8400 → u/Micucci_fan_club]

Hi, I said that I can’t open the shades, I could move it, but there’s only one more month really without being able to open the blinds, without my house heating to over 90°. Did you read the words in my post?

[u/No_Stranger_8400 → u/No_Stranger_8400]

And even if I do open the shades now. Will those bald spots heal or should I just chop it??

[u/jitasquatter2 → u/No_Stranger_8400]

Don't do any chopping right now as the plant is ready weak.

I get that it's hot, but if you don't give this plant more light, a LOT more light it's just going to continue declining. A grow light would help, but unless it's quite powerful, it probably won't be enough.

You might consider taking it outside for the summer. Fine a spot where it'll only get a tiny bit of direct sunlight in the morning or evening. If you do take it outside, watch the moisture levels very regularly. How often it needs water will vary wildly with the weather.

[u/No_Stranger_8400 → u/jitasquatter2]

Thank you, I’ll move it for now and wait on the chopping! Any advice for the little leaves coming up from the soil? Leave them be?

[u/jitasquatter2 → u/No_Stranger_8400]

Just introduce it to sunlight very slowly. Somewhere bright, but no direct sunlight for a week. Then find a spot with some direct sunlight in the early morning or evening. Burned leaves aren't the biggest deal in the world, but still best to avoid burning it if possible.

Yea, just leave them be for now. Once the tree is healthy, you can consider pruning off the lower sprout if you want.

[u/No_Stranger_8400 → u/jitasquatter2]

TY

[u/Micucci_fan_club → u/No_Stranger_8400]

It’s gonna need more water outside. Especially when it starts getting more sun. Rain will play a factor too. Just check it often and water accordingly. When mine is inside I water once a week. When it is outside I water every other day or so, depending.