Question
QUESTION: While away for a weekend my 4 little kittens played in  my two huge potted fern plants. They are smashed down, but the fronds are still growing. In the now leveled middle section some new fronds are unfurling. Should I cut the smashed fronds and allow it to rejuvenate from the center? Or just leave it alone and let the smooshed ones fall off in their own time? Also, my draceana (sp?) suffered the same fate...suggestions?

ANSWER: Hi Kelley,

Any of the fronds that have been bent and creased will not recover and will gradually yellow and die. So you might as well cut them off now right at the soil line. Leaving them or cutting them will have no effect on new growth.

Dracaenas are entirely different plants, so I don't understand just what the damage was to it. Please post a photo or describe the damage to it in detail as you did with your fern.

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

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC



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

QUESTION: There were 4 "trunks" to the dracaena (variegated leaf; green with red border). The upper portion of the leaves were bent completely down, but not the trunks. I got a little hasty and already cut the leaves. It has some new sprigs coming from the top, but is there anything else I can do? Thanks!

Answer
Hi Kelley,

The damaged leaves on your Dracaena marginata will not recover, so trimming them off was appropriate, not hasty.

New growth on these plants is always from the top of each stem. If the lower portion of any stem has lost most of its leaves, the only way you can get new leaves lower down is to cut the stem back to the place where you would like to see the new growth emerge. Or you can simply leave it as is and watch the new growth come in at the top.

There is no medicine or anything else that will hasten the healing process. Just be patients and continue to provide good care and keep the kittens at bay!

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.
         
Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC