I have had this Chinese evergreen plant for about 5 years, without any problems. It has been on a shelf opposite of some windows (not much direct sunlight) for the last year, and had thrived. About a week or two ago, the 5 stalks suddenly drooped down to almost touch the edge of the pot. I also noticed that on some of the leaves on the stem, it is polka-dotted now (a light and dark green). I thought I might have over-watered it, so I haven't watered the plant since it drooped. No change in the droopage. Any ideas?
it's much easier to diagnose issues when there's a pic. any way you can post a pic of the plant?? could be overwatering (and root rot) or underwatering (dried out roots) that caused the drooping. could also be an infestation of mealy bugs. most likely that's it since you mention the 'polka dot' pattern on the leaves. take a good look at the dots. are they white fluff?? is yes, that's mealy bugs. treat with q-tips dipped in rubbing alcohol - just touch to the bugs and they'll be killed instantly. then get a freshly dipped swab and rub up/down both sides of the leaves and make sure to get the crevises where the leaves meet the trunk, too. repeat treatment in about 10 days and continue treating until you don't see any more (the eggs are really hard to see, so, hard to remove and the juvenile's are tiny and hard to see also, so, it usually takes a few treatments to get rid of them). it the issue is not bugs, then i'd unpot the plant and take a look at the roots. if they're brown/black and/or mushy, cut them off (and any rotted parts at the base of the trunk) and re-root the plant. make sure to use a very well draining soil and the container should have drainage holes in it, too.
