Question
Hi Will,

6 months ago I bought a braided Pachira Aquatica. Its about 5 feet high in a 10 inch pot. There are 5 intertwined braids. I placed it next to a west facing window and water it only when the top 2 inches feel dry to touch.
4 braids are doing fine. A couple of weeks ago I noticed 3-4 stalks on one of the stems had turned brown or yellow. i took them off. The same stem was showing new growth - so I thought it was a normal cyclical thing for the plant.
Today, when I touched the same stem near the soil - it was spongy and almost grey-brown. The part going into the soil is spongy and greyish - the part above the soil is still firm and green. I suspect root-rot of the particular stem. The other stems seem fine so far.
My question is - should I return the plant and get another one? Or could I save the rest of the plant - just try and remove this stem (how I will remove it from its firm braids - is another question altogether)? Is it possible that just one of the stems is bad - the others are still good?
Please help.

Farah

Answer
Hi Farah,

It is all too common for one or more of the braided stems to die back. Sometimes it is just limited to one stem, but other times other stems follow suit. It is almost impossible to predict just how many of the stems will be affected. All you can do is provide a good environment, which you seem to be doing, and hope that most of your stems remain healthy.

Once a stem turns soft at its base, it is just a matter of time before the rest of that stem succumbs. Cut out as much of the dying stem as you can, but don't try to remove every last portion that is entwined with the other stems. It will not affect the other stems, so it is just a matter of aesthetics.

I have written an article on Money Tree care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who emails a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at:
A link to HorticulturalHelp.com

or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
 
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com