Question
I have a Dieffenbachia that is 8 years old. The soil looks  like crud, with white something over the top. After being in the same soil for all that time, should I change it? It doesn't grow, its just there.When I water it, it smells like mildew. Also, when I first got the plant I put in a huge pot, I thought it would be cute. It grew just a tad, thats all. Should I put it in a smaller pot? Does the soil need changing after a while? The plant is about 12 inches long.

Thanks, Vee

Answer
Vee,

Yes, I reccommend that you repot it into a smaller pot, one that is not much bigger than the plant is around. It is always a mistae to plant a plant in a huge pot. You water it and the plant cant use all that water so it swits there and stagnates as yours has. The plant doesn't grow and the soil molds. Go to the small pot and use fresh soil  with extra perlite mixed with the potting soil at a ratio of 2 parts potting soil to 1 part perlite. That will get rid of the mold and the plant will slowly get healthier. In February start fertilizing it once a month with Miracle Grow. Waiting till February will let the roots recuperate after you repot it so the fertilizer won't burn them. Good luck.

Darlene