Please, i think it's gonna die! Help for sick plant!!!

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by bcsister, Jul 11, 2008.

  1. bcsister

    bcsister Active Member

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    We saved this plant from the dump exactly 1 year ago. It was fairly touch- and- go, and seemed to be a living symbol of everything i hold dear.
    it managed to grow steadily enough. as a matter of fact, i never even found out the name of this treasure. Then we made a fatal mistake. May 3rd we had to leave town. An abandoned cat decided to have her kittens in our suite. Mom came to feed cats for the 6 weeks we were gone, but left the cats to run wild - and in our plant :(.
    She put the plant outside because she thought the urine smell was eminating from the pot. Left the SAME SOIL in the pot.
    upon our return on June 14, we threw away the dirt, and rinsed the roots off under the hose. We replanted it in potting soil bought at Sav*On*Foods. We also brought the plant back in the house. And fertilized it.
    Almost a month later, the plant has lost almost ALL her leaves. The promising new growth looks like it is rotting from the top down, One stem is wrinkled and soft, akin to an old potato.

    i think she's dying.

    I cannot let this happen!! Is there ANY way to save her?
    Even a PART of her? can i get roots to grow off of some part, and replant? Do i need to cut her right down and wait for new sprouts?

    Honestly, i'm just looking at about 3.5 to 4 feet of bare stalk. What do i do??

    can someone even tell me what kind she is?
    dracaena? palm? something else?
     

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    Last edited: Jul 11, 2008
  2. bcsister

    bcsister Active Member

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    i just noticed, the last image is upside-down. it is a close-up of the crocodile/ wrinkly potato effect on the one stalk, and the top of another.
     
  3. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Sorry, I suspect this is too far gone to save.

    You could try taking a cutting of the greenest section of stem; plant it in well-drained soil, and keep the soil on the dryish side. I suspect the plant may have largely died from rotting in soil that was too wet all the time.
     
  4. GreenLarry

    GreenLarry Active Member 10 Years

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    Oh that is a shame,it was a Dracaena,probably D.marginata but i think its beyond help. I'm afraid that feeding it won't help (only healthy plants should be given fertilizer)
    If i live nearby i'd buy another one for you!
     
  5. bcsister

    bcsister Active Member

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    take a cutting?
    see the green parts near the top of the plant? do i just make a clean cut there, or is there a better / specific place to cut it?

    should i just pot it in dirt straight from there?

    do i leave the tops on as well, or cut them, too?

    i'm willing to try anything to save ANY part of her, so at least part of her still grows.

    extreme emotional attachment!

    even if it's only a single leaf!
     
  6. GreenLarry

    GreenLarry Active Member 10 Years

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    Well any part of it that still has green leaves attached may work as a cutting,worth a try and i'd imagine they'd be easy to root. Just take a section about 3 inch long,remove any lower leaves or leaf remnants and place in potting soil burying about a third of the stem. Try it with several pieces,you might just get one to succeed!
     
  7. DGuertin

    DGuertin Active Member 10 Years

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    Haven't had the greatest luck with D. marginata (which is what you have, by the way), but have had heaps of success with other Draceana species with very little effort.

    Your situation is complex, as you're likely dealing with what is effectively poisoning from the ureac acid, as well as new soil, as well as new light..... And it was already stressed. And now it's stressed, and fertilised to try to get it to grow better as well... I think a cutting may be your best bet, I'm afraid. Any part that is still green at the top, or firm in the middle should be able to be salvaged. I've found that these root readily in water, and with proper care should be able to be transferred to soil in a month or so.

    Make clean cuts, make sure you always know which end is 'up,' and put the other end in a small dish of water. It's not going to look at all like what you currently have for more than a fair few years, but it will be fine.
     
  8. edleigh7

    edleigh7 Well-Known Member

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    When I make my 'cuts' I cut the bottom on an angle so I know which way is up. I also do this to maximise the area for water intake, for what its worth : )

    Ed
     
  9. bcsister

    bcsister Active Member

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    thank you! any and all tips will help. i am painfully ignorant on the subject of gardening....
    mostly limited to hanging baskets and trying to find flowers that smell the best (i take suggestions, btw)

    i will cut a 3 in section off of the healthiest looking stems, and put in water
    (botton 1/3 rd of stem?)
    light?
    any thoughts on "rooting hormone"? it was a suggestion made to me.
    2 more...
    1. Does each cutting HAVE to have a leaf growing off of it?
    2. can (should) i cut the tippy-tops off of the dracaena? they look almost rotton / black, and yet the heathiest looking stems are BELOW these yucky tops (?)

    thanks so much to everyone so far!
     
  10. bcsister

    bcsister Active Member

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    Aw Jeeze, i was hoping someone would have answered some of the questions above. i have the feeling i should cut as quick as possible... i just don't want to make any more deadly mistakes...

    most important, do i leave the tops on when taking a cutting, they really are horrible looking!
     
  11. GreenLarry

    GreenLarry Active Member 10 Years

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    Yes when making cuttings remove any diseased parts and tho cuttings tend to root quicker if there's a leaf attached its not always necessary.
     
  12. bcsister

    bcsister Active Member

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    i just have to show you the progression of sickness since i first posted....
    incredible slipping away in 3 Days!
    To think.... she was just beautiful 2 months ago

    wish me luck!
     

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  13. GreenLarry

    GreenLarry Active Member 10 Years

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    Hmmm that looks pretty bad,makes me think its been overwatered.
     

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