Question

yellow dry euphorbia   QUESTION: I have had this euphorbia about 10 years. In the last year it has started to turn yellow in the stalks only, and then the yellow turns dry. The rest of the plant is dark green and it has a few tiny leaves here and there. I have tried to limit watering to once a month or less, and then I only spray the plant with a water bottle and give it less than a cup of water.
It is indoors in a spot that gets sun through a large glass door about 2 hours a day. The temperature remains about 65 to 75 degrees at all times. I am in Los Angeles, California. I don't put the plant outside and I haven't re-planted in about 3 years.
It used to have many more little leaves and seemed in better health. It is still growing, but very slowly and the yellow seems to be on about 4 stalks and growing downwards. The yellow part is not mushy and no part of the plant is mushy.
Can you please tell me what's going with it? and what can/should I do to help it. I love my euphorbia and want to see it happy and healthy again.

ANSWER: Dear Valerie,

Why so stingy with the water?  And I would repot it.  3 years is a long time for a big plant like that. That's the first thing I'd do and cut off the dry stalks with a sterilized knife.  Be careful as some folks are allergic to the sap.  I think with a bit more space (the pot should be 1/3 the height of the plant with about 1-2 in. of soil around it so the pot ends ups being a bit roomier than normal for a succulent) and fresh soilless medium it will perk up.  It only gets 2 hours of sun a day?  Does it have other light?  If the two hours are really hot direct sun it can also cause the yellowing bec. of sunburn, even through a window.

If you're uncertain about watering here's a trick. Get a wooden skewer and stick it in the soil. Check it every week or so.  If the stick is dry, then water.  Easy.

Hope that helps,

Maureen



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


sunburn?   QUESTION: thanks so much for the info. I don't water it often because I've read so much about root rot that I am afraid of it happening. I DID remember putting the plant outside last year for a few hours each afternoon. It was in direct sunlight. The sunburn makes sense.
If the yellow part is sunburn, will it hurt the plant any further?
It appears in the middle of some of the stalks and then the green is on top of that part, should I still trim the stalks? I really don't want to lose any of the plant. Thanks again!

Answer
Dear Valerie,

The sunburn won't  damage the plant any further but it will always appear damaged.  The most important thing for you to do is repot, etc. as suggested.  If you remove those arms you'll soon get new growth that will be healthy and strong.  When you do repot wait at least a week before watering.

If you put the plant outside do so gradually.  If you have an old sheer curtain, throw it over the plant initially and then expose the tissue over a period of time or just leave it indoors.

If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Maureen

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