I have a croton that was given to me as a gift about 5 or 6 years ago. It was pretty leafy for a young plant it's first year but the following years produced less and less leaves. In the past 3 years it has only produced one (1) single, solitary leaf. I refuse to throw it away. It has gone thru 2 moves. It has been re-potted about 4 times due to mold forming on the soil (which still happens and I realize that poor ventilation might be the cause of this). It has never received proper lighting. Circumstances in the places where I lived prevented that but I am working around that now. I would like to know if there is anything else I can do besides providing it with better light to try to get it to flourish. And how to get rid of the mold. Any advice is appreciated. Edit: forgot to add that it is a single stem so I can't even take a cutting!
Repotting that often probably has done more harm than good. Water only when the top inch of soil has dried to the touch. Ignore the fungus it's normal and natural. If you have a shaded porch or patio let the plant spend the Summer outdoors.
thank you for the reply. It was initially re-potted because it grew. The second time was to a clay pot and the third and fourth times out of disgust for with the soil condition... I have never heard that fungus on a soil is normal or natural but it doesn't seem to have done any harm to the croton or the companion plant that has the same unsightly look so I will not factor that into my decisions any more. I did put the plant out for one day and it was obviously too cool in the shade of the north side and the one leaf wilted, browned and fell off. Then it grew a new replacement leaf. It is now in my office where it can receive actual sunlight in a controlled way. I want to do more for it than just that.
Be patient. Once it fully adjusts to its new conditions, it will start growing again - but don't move it again until it does! Crotons are notoriously grumpy about being shifted around too often.
Wow. Yesterday the new kitten in the house tried to use it for a litter box and it was moved yet again and miracle of miracles there is a second leaf curled up inside the first one coming out. Only 2 days...I should have posted before and after pics. Might still do it! lol- thanks for the reply and advice. :)
You should go online or to your local pet store and get some of those rubber plant pot rings to keep your kitty out, then not move it anymore. Check link below, find something that will work, and get that going (note: it should have breathing holes for the dirt and for when you water...most cats don't like to go on things they can't dig in). Another alternative is those motion detecting squirt bottles...set one o those up and your cat won't even go near it. http://allmypetsupplies.com/p-2807-plant-protector-cat-deterrent.aspx<---this one is too expensive don't buy it unless you cannot find anything else!!!
