Question
QUESTION: I have a massangean cane plant that I keep in my apartment. It has been very healthy and well taken care of. Just today, my pet bird got out of his cage and managed to rip off the lower leaves, chewing on the bark of the plant. I was wondering if a new sprout of leaves will be able to grow from the trunk, or is my plant forever scarred?

Thanks,
Claire

ANSWER: Hi Claire,

New growth on a Massangeana cane is always at the top of the stem. So lower leaves never get replaced and neither will the scars on the lower stem. But the new growth should be healthy.

There is only one way to get rid of the scars. That is to cut off the stem below the scars. New growth will the emerge just below the point of the stem where you made the cut and grow upward from there. Of course, that means you will have a very naked-looking plant until the new growth comes in.

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: Thanks for that info, the stem itself was low to the ground, so the damage was done to leaves at the top of the stem. I just noticed today that leaves on the other side of the stem that were chewed but not ripped off from the stem are now starting to die. what should I do?

Answer
H Claire,

I am a bit confused by your two descriptions of the damage done and just where it was damaged. It would help me if you could post a photo.

Depending on how severe and how deep the wound to the stem was, it could be that the entire stem will die and there is nothing you can do to prevent that.

Otherwise, you should get healthy new growth that will emerge at the top of the stem, but never below. Damaged leaves should be trimmed off because they will not recover.

~Will Creed