Question
QUESTION: I hope someone can help me ... ten years ago, a friend gave me some flowers to celebrate the birth of our daughter, and included in the arrangement were some sprigs of ivy, which I successfully rooted.  The plant thrived, growing bigger and fuller with every year, and for the last few years, I'd place it out on the outside deck in warm weather.  Over the past month or so, I've noticed that it was no longer growing, and a lot of leaves were dying and falling off.  When I'd water it, the water would go straight through and out the bottom.  Tonight, I decided to repot it, thinking that maybe it had gotten dried out and the water was finding channels straight through the plant; instead, what I found was an infestation of white grubs, and they'd eaten (from the bottom up) about 70% of the root system.  Is the plant salvageable, and if so, how?  It means a lot to me.  Thank you!

ANSWER: Danelle,
I would immediately take some cuttings from the plant and try rooting them in water. Then I would water the original plant with rubbing alcohol and let it sit for an hour then remove the drain tray and allow the alcohol and water to run out down the drain an let the plant dry out so the surface of the soil is dry before you water it each time you water it. Be sure not to leave the plant sit with water standing in the drain tray. As new roots begin to grow they will be particularly susceptible to root rot if the plant is left with water in the drain tray. Ivy is not a swamp plant and cannot stand to be in standing water constantly. If the roots start to rot then fungus gnats (like fruit flies) lay eggs in the plant and their larva eat the rotting roots. The plant has to dry out between waterings, it cannot be constantly wet. Good luck.

Darlene  


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

QUESTION: Darlene, thank you so, so much for not only your quick reply, but your advice!  After discovering what was going on after removing the plant from its pot (and indeed, the soil was very damp underneath what remained of the roots), I had put the plant, with its remaining roots, in a tub of water, hoping to "drown" any larvae or eggs still wrapped up in the roots.  It's there now, so I'll go remove it and do as you suggested.  Should I repot what is left of the plant and its roots?  (I did, indeed, take a few cuttings a week ago -- I hope they take.)

Answer
Yes, repot it with dry soil. Then water it with rubbing alcohol and let it sit an hour. then remove the drain tray and let all the alcohol and as much water as possible drain out. Do not water it again until the plant feels very light weight and dry. Do not put it in a larger pot. If anything put it in a smaller pot so the roots fill up the pot as much as possible. It will dry out faster that way. Good luck with the plant and the cuttings.

Darlene