Question
QUESTION: hello,
i bought a rubber plant a while back and seems to be doing fine i mean a couple leaves have died here and there but there seems to be no growth. From the spot where the leaves would normally grow it just crusts/peels over if that makes sense i fear if i don't have any growth with this plant and leaves keep dying i wont have one anymore. I water it once every 1 to 2 weeks I'm not sure if thats to much or not and i repoted it a few months back. I also have a fluorescent light nearby so I'm not sure if that would effect it at all or not. Any help would be great thanks
luke

ANSWER: Hi Luke,

Repotting into a larger pot tends to discourage new growth as the plant puts most of its energy into filling the pot with roots before pushing out new foliage.

Of even greater concern is that unnecessary repotting substantially increase the risk of root rot as the added soil tends to retain moisture for too long. That may be the reason you are losing leaves.

Without knowing the size of the plant and the size of the pot and how much sunlight it gets, I cannot tell you how often it should be watered. But is should be less frequently than before you opted to repot.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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 and check out my Blog where I discuss the problems of repotting in greater detail.
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]




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

QUESTION: the pot is 10 inches in diameter and the plant isn't very big there are about 4-5 stalks the tallest stalk is about 20 inches in height i will get photos to you asap. it gets a good amount of light 2 windows face east and 1 north and it sits a few feet from the corner of the east and west wall if that helps at all
ANSWER: I will be able to respond better after I receive the photo. Thanks for the additional info.

~Will

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

QUESTION: ok i have the pictures there are a few of the rubber plant,one plant i don't know and i was wondering if you could identify it for me and i was wondering if/how it can be propagated and a yucca cane plant which is dwindling and wondering if there is anything i can do to treat it besides fertilizer.

Answer
Hi Luke,

This is really too many questions at one time. Please be more selective in the future.

Your plant is in a pot that is too big. That is what is deterring healthy new growth.

Your mystery plant is a Sedum and is not getting enough light. It needs direct sun. The small leaves can be dried over night and then inserted point up in small pots with a porous potting mix.

Fertilizer is NOT medicine and should never be used with ailing plants. It appears that your Yucca has not gotten enough light. It may also be suffering from root rot  because you may have overpotted it, as well.

Will