Question
My split leaf philodendron is about 2-3 feet tall? (if it stood upright), it's in an 8" pot, 7 years old, has been in a east facing window and has been staked.  I began staking it when the leaves became too heavy and they fell over.  The top has thick, strong stems but the bottom of the stems are so weak they can't support the plant.  They just bend and droop and the top is so heavy it slides down the stakes.  Could I cut off the tops where the stem is thicker, propagate them, then repot them so my plant has a stronger base?  I don't have a whole lot of room in my house so I need to keep it as compact as possible.  I will keep it staked but I want it to be sturdier.  What should I do?  I will send some pictures.  Thanks for your help.

Answer
Jenny,

Your plant is very small for it's age. Yes you can cut off the pot and root it in a pot of fresh soil. Get a packet or bottle of rooting hormone dip the cutting in it and insert it in a fresh pot of soil. Firm the soil around the cutting and stake it. It will root in 2-3 weeks. Treat it like a new plant. If you fertilize that old plant the base may thicken up and it will grow a new top then you can give it to a friend with a larger home or sell it in a garage sale. Here is a web site with more info on your plant:
http://www.floridata.com/ref/m/mons_del.cfm

Good luck!
Darlene