I don't remember where or exactly when I acquired my first Ming Tree, but it eventually was mangled beyond resurrection by my Siamese Taji in one of her fits of jealousy. I did not have another one until my Dad found one at a local greenhouse in St. Cloud and gave it to me as a present. This was about 1978. He did things like that...remembered the little things in your life that made you happy.
I still have the original Ming and an offspring. They are part of my family. 30 plus years me and Ming have been together (but for two periods of separation when I moved to Alaska and my Mom babysat) and the offspring of at least 20 years.
For years, I didn't know much about the Ming, but knew how easy it was to take care of and how it liked to be moist and be kept by a window. Both of my Ming are about four feet tall and kept side by side next to the window in my bedroom. They do NOT like to be moved. About once a year they will start to drop yellowed leaves which puts me into a panic. They always recover with an abundance of new foliage. I had success propagating my second Ming by cutting a side shoot and just sticking it into prepared soil. I have given cuttings as well and know of two that successfully grew. When first put into the soil, they lost all of their leaves, but recovered eventually (it seemed to be months) and grew new leaves.
House plant lovers, seriously consider bringing a Ming Tree into your home. They are a delightful, elegant and loving addition to your family!
Here is an excellent resource I found from my research about the Ming Tree.
The Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticosa), with its ferny leaves and bonsai-like contorted stems, can lend an elegantly Asian touch to any decor. Hardy only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 11 to 12, the tree is most often grown as a houseplant and can reach 8 feet in height and 3 feet in width under those conditions. Usually selected for its decorative foliage, the Ming aralia seldom produces its 6-inch panicles of inconspicuous white or yellow flowers indoors.
Keep the Ming tree in an acidic and fast-draining potting medium. Cal Lemke of Oklahoma State University recommends a combination of 2 parts peat moss, 2 parts potting soil, and 1 part sand or perlite. Re-pot the aralia at least once every other year, moving it to progressively larger containers as it grows.
Position the tree near a window where it will receive either partial sunlight -- preferably in the morning -- or bright, indirect light. Make sure the window is well-sealed and keep the plant away from exterior doors, to protect it from cold drafts or any temperatures under 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mist the Ming tree every morning to help provide the high humidity it prefers. If your tap water is hard, use rainwater or bottled spring water in the spray bottle, as alkaline water can deposit a white scum on the leaves. Alternatively, place the tree in a brightly lighted bathroom or near a kitchen sink, where the frequent running of a shower head or faucet raises the humidity.
Water the plant enough to keep its soil lightly damp. If possible, use rainwater or bottled spring water rather than tap water, which can be too alkaline for acid-loving species.
Fertilize the Ming tree only about once per season from spring through fall, in March, June and September. Use 20-20-20 plant food at half the recommended dose, which will usually be about 1/2 teaspoon crystals per gallon of water.
Watch for any signs of discoloration on the plant’s foliage, as well as brown bumps or patches of furry white. The latter could be mealy bugs and the former likely scale. A stippled pattern on the leaves might indicate hard-to-see spider mites. All of these pests can be controlled with Neem oil, by mixing 2 tablespoons of the oil into 1 gallon of water. Spray the plant thoroughly once a week for two weeks for mites, once a week for a month for mealy bugs, and once every two weeks for two months for scale. Wear a respirator when treating your plants, to avoid inhaling the oily mist, and goggles to keep it out of your eyes.
T. Chidester
Pine Ridge Homestead
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