Question

yucca   QUESTION: I have had my Yucca for many years and right now the top portion has slumped over, some green leaves have flopped down.  The top portion of the stock is moist.  Please help!  I repotted it w/ no success.  When i removed it from the old, the root ball was moist, but not wet.  The bottom of the stock has a new growth.  Where should i cut this off at?
Thank you.

ANSWER: Hello Stefanie, oh dear, poor little yucca, it does look so sad!

If it were my plant this is what I would do.  Straighten the stem and cut off the top part above where it is bending and above the moist area.  I would then attempt to grow this by dipping the stalk into rooting powder and planting in seed and cutting compost, watering carefully occasionally.  I am not sure if it will "take" [probably not] but there is no harm in trying as the alternative is to just throw it away.

As regards the bottom part, hopefully, in due course some offsets might appear at the base which you can remove and pot up. As the main stem is no longer serving any useful purpose having lost its crown of leaves I would cut it off leaving just 2-3 inches and hope that you will get offsets in due course.

I am actually quite surprised that your plant is quite small since you have had it for many years.  They like plenty of light and sun,  a south facing aspect is best, they should be watered liberally from spring to autumn and repotted every two years in the spring.

Where I live in the south of Spain there are yuccas growing in our communal garden planted by a neighbour 17 years ago and they are huge.  Each year they bear beautiful white flowers.  I fear you have a long way to go before that happens but when it does the result is spectacular.

Diana

Hello again Stefanie,

Thanks for the nice comments you made.  I have just re-read your question and see that you already have an offset growing from the base of your plant.  When I made my reply I was at work [I work during the night] and was rather tired so forgive me for not having noticed that part before. I'm now back home but before I go to bed wanted to give you the following advice.   You should cut off the offset as near to the main stem as possible taking with it any roots that may have formed.  Then treat it as a normal cutting, potting up in seed and cutting compost.

As regards the reason for your plant almost giving up the ghost - this could be one of many - root rot or stem rot due to overwatering, draughts, hot dry air, not enough light, no fertiliser, attack by insects, disease attack - it's really impossible to pinpoint it.  The good news is that you have an offset and perhaps you will have more in a little while so all is not lost.

Diana



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

QUESTION: Hi Diana, You're welcome for the comments, they were sincerely made.  I understand working nights, used to do it myself.  So, I just want to be sure i completely understand.  I will try to 'save' the top portion by dipping it in root powder and potting in seed and cutting compost.  I will also do the same w/ the offset that has formed.  Will I also dip the offset in rooting powder?  Then should I just throw the main stem away?  Or save the main stem to see if any more offsets form?  Thanks, again!
Stefanie

Answer
Hello Stefanie,

Yes you have understood fine although I don't hold out much hope for the top part growing roots but I always think it is worth trying.

Ref the offsets if there are roots then rooting powder is not necessary but if there aren't any I should use the powder.  Don't throw away the main stem until you are sure no more offsets are going to appear but, so that you don't have just a long bare stem sitting in a pot you can cut down the stem to say three or so inches above the soil.

Well I hope something works and you manage to grow at least one new plant.

Diana