Question
I got 2 plants in Georgia couple months ago and brought them back to Michigan.  Since I've had them one has 3 of the 5 trunks dying, molding and it's losing leaves and the other has 1 trunk trying to die and no mold but seems to be ok so far except for the one trunk.  I've watered it once a week like the lady told me but the one still seems to be getting worse. Also, the one that's worse is my brothers but he's not a good plant person so I care for it.  Please help me.

Answer
Vita,

In Georgia it was used to getting lots of light probably outdoors. In your home it is not getting a much light and therefore it does not use up as much water as it did in Florida.

Make sure the pots your plants are in have a large drain hole and a drain tray under it. The pot should be no larger diameter than the plant is wide. If it is too large it will stay wet constantly and cause root rot. These trees cannot be constantly wet because they are not swamp plants. Never over pot tropical plants, they prefer to be slightly root bound. I suspect that your plants roots are rotting from too much water. Remove the tree from the pot and inspect the roots.  If you see mostly wiry looking roots and no mushiness I am wrong. If the roots are black and mushy cut away roots that are really mushy then treat the plant as though it is a cutting. Go to a garden center and pick up a bottle of rooting hormone, enough fresh potting soil to nearly fill the pot and a bag of extra perlite. Mix the soil and the perlite at a ratio of 2 parts soil to 1 part perlite and fill the pot. Water the soil so it is all moist then empty the drain tray of any excess water. Then cut off the stem of the plant at the bottom at an angle to make a smooth cut and dip it into the rooting hormone or put some rooting hormone in a plastic bag and dip the stem in that. Then use a stick or your finger and make a hole in the soil the size of the stem and insert the stem in the soil. Firm the soil arould it.

Place your new plant in a bright location but not sunny. It should grow new roots in 4 to 6 weeks. You cannot just follow a schedule to water a plant. You have to check the soil to see if it needs water.  Follow the following instructions on waterings:

Do not use self watering pots, they keep the soil too wet and cause the roots to rot. After you water you should always go back in a half hour and empty excess  water out of the drain tray. If it is too heavy to pick up you can empty it with a turkey baster. Do not water it again until 2/3rds of the soil in the pot is dry. The best way to tell that is to insert a long bamboo skewer like you use for shish kabobs into the soil cutting it off 1/2 inch above the soil surface. When you think the plant needs water pull the skewer out and check it. If it is only wet 1/3 up from the bottom you can water it. If it is wet 1/2 way up let it go a few more days. This lets you know you are not overwatering and rotting the roots. Tropical houseplants are not swamp plants and cannot stand constantly wet soil. That can rot the roots in as little as a month. Roots need to be moist and dry alternately so the roots have a chance to breath between waterings. If you have more questions write  again.  Good luck.

Darlene