Please help!!! This plant has been in my family for over thirty years and is probably at least 40 years old. It has been healthy for its whole life till now. It is currently 8' to 9' tall with a 14" base and a long slender neck. It always had one single flush of growth in the center and has never had small ponys at the base. Then 2-3 years ago almost overnight it developed 3 new sprouts about 1' down from the top which have been growing well till now. Several months ago the leaves started to look week and seemed to be folding easily at the top instead of arching. Then the inner leaves started browning along with all the tips of the outer leaves, and all inner leaves pull of very easily. I've never observed insect activity on the plant. In addition the plant only gets watered when the soil dries out (around 2 weeks). I've recently noticed that the base right at the soil level is softer than recently observed but it is not mushy. I'm not sure what the life expectancy is for this plant is but I would think that it is longer than 40 to 50 years. Can anyone tell me if its on its way out or if there is anything that can be done?
How wide & how deep is the pot it's in? How long since it's been repotted? , since it's been moved from another spot? How long has it been in your personal care? When you water, how much water sits in the tray under the plant? How much sun is the plant getting, especially at the top? I couldn't quite differentiate which set of leaves you were talking about; how are the new leaves at the very top? Pictures would help. :)
The pot is 22"wide x 20" deep. It hasn't been repotted in 10 years mainly because its already 10' fall in the pot. Its been in its current location since I built the house 6 years ago and has been in my care for about 25 years. When the plant is watered it seldom if ever has water sitting in the tray. Unfortunatly the top of the plant never gets direct sun and really hasn't for quite a few years because of its height. The room its in is fairly bright room most of the year exept in the summer when it becomes to hot because all of the windows face west and require that we close the blinds. None of the leaves look good. The older leaves have yellowed and pull of easily and the newer leaves are the ones that are bending easily and have the ends turning brown. I guess that I should probably put the plant out during the summer but Ive never had any concern before since its always been healthy. I have removed all the sick leaves and cut back the dead ends and there isnt alot left! Sorry but my camera is not currently working or I would send you a picture.
