QuestionWe've had a corn plant for about four years now in our sunny topfloor apartment. It was originally repotted then into a large floor pot.
It has always been in our sunny living room, and was fine for a couple of years but has not shown much growth ever.
Unfortunately, it has been doing worse lately.
I know it is a tropical plant, that doesn't need a lot of sun or water but ours is looking horrid lately.
Well, ours has very few leaves and they are very crinkled and unhealthy looking. Also the bark of the "tree" feels loose, like it might be coming off. I am scared that is a sign of rot.
It is not robust at all, and all the leaves on one side turned brown when I moved it to a shadier spot. I cut them off and was thinking maybe of cutting the tree part but I don't know how or where to cut.
Anything I can do to revive it? I think it might be too cold temperature-wise in my living room.
I really want to save it, it is about 3 ft tall. Help.
AnswerHi Valerie,
"the bark of the "tree" feels loose, like it might be coming off."
That is the key, unfortunately. Once the outer bark loosens and peels off that means the roots have pretty much died and the plant is on its way out. There is no saving the cane. If the green stems growing out of the cane are not shriveled, then they can be cut off and rooted in water or damp soil. Otherewise, nothing is salvageable.
The problem began with the repotting into a large pot. The extra soil that was added, absorbed water and stayed too moist for too long causing the roots to gradually rot and die. In addition, it didn't show new growth because the plant was putting all its energy into filling the new pot with roots.
Lesson to be learned: keep your plants very potbound.
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
You can E-mail me directly at:
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