Question
QUESTION: I have transplanted my Dracaena plant which I have had for a couple of years.  It has been doing good but not great!  I transplanted it to a pot that was about 1 1/2" wider and I put some root booster in it to help it.  I don't know if I put to much in or if it is just in shock from the transplant but its leaves have dropped quite a bit and even the smaller shoots with the green foilage on have toppled over on some of the smaller ones.  Their stems have become yellow and see through.  My question is, should I cut the tops that have drooped right over off beneath the yellow part on the stem or is there anything I can do to possibly help this plant.  I thought I may have wet it to much when I did but really not sure.  Once those stems turn yellow and go soft and fall over I am thinking they won't come back and that it why I was thought to possibly cut them off.  Help Please,  I hate to think that I am going to lose it.

ANSWER: Terry,

Yellowing foliage indicates that this plant is being kept too wet. The plant should never sit with water in the drain tray under the plant for more than 30 minutes. The plant should also dry out totally between watering. It should not have been repotted if the plant was not totally rootbound. When you unpot a tropical plant such as this to repot it you should see only very wiry loking roots that stay the same shape as the pot when removed from the pot. If the rootball falls apart it should be put in a smaller pot and watered sparingly until new roots grow. Too much water rots the roots so the root ball falls apart. Repotting an already struggling plant will put it into shock.  Make sure it is getting very bright light so your hand casts a sharp shadow where it is sitting but also make sure it gets no direct sun. Good luck!!!!

Darlene

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

QUESTION: My plant was very root bound when I transplanted it , the roots were tight tight to the shape of the pot.  I had transplanted into one of those black urns and I put some large rocks  3 or 4 inches deep at the bottom.  Not sure wether that was a good thing or not cause I am thinking that the water may sit down there to long as you stated.  Maybe I should try to drill some holes in the bottom of the urn, only problem being I wanted to be able to take this plant indoors in the winter months.  Because it is approx. 3' tall, I thought the urns were a good way to display it and they were actually only about 1 1/2" bigger around.  I have been letting it dry up since then and have it by a bright window.  Fingers crossed.  I cut some of the small shoots off that had rotted but I think the main stems are going to make it?????   Thankyou for your feedback.

Answer
Terry,

I would drill a hole in the urn but be careful. When you do it be careful! A lot of water will come out.  In the winter you can find a decorative tray to set it in.  As you said the water will just sit there forever if you do not drill a hole. The top several inches of soil will feel dry so you will water it again but there will still be water sitting at the bottom and the roots will eventually rot. It needs the drain hole. Good luck!

Darlene