Question
Hello!  I was reading your post on schefflera earlier and I have a question about my particular situation.  My friend rooted a cutting last year and gave it to me.  It had been thriving (much new growth) for the past year, and throughout the spring and early summer.  When I returned home from 4th of July weekend, the stem/trunk had deteriorated, shriveled and browned only at the base where it entered the soil.  Leaves etc. were all green.  I read online this may be improper watering so on the advice of some horticulturist in Hawaii (through e-mail) I soaked for 30 mins and placed in a poly ziplock bag.  Sunday I removed the bag and noticed new growth at the top of the plant, so I soaked again (once weekly as per earlier advice) and left the poly bag off.  Since then, the trunk has turned yellow-->brown since Sunday, so about 3 days after the soak, and it is moving up the trunk/stem towards the green growth.  Many leaves have fallen off around the brown parts but the green growth appears strong.  Can this young plant be rescued?  I plan on either A) leaving it alone and not watering or B) place in a ziplock and hope for the best.

Should I just cut the top and root that instead?  I'd hate to start over with this yearling.  Thanks for any advice you can give!

Answer
Its always difficult to help without an image, but from what you have described, I would just leave it be for awhile in an area where it recieves dappled shade (until it recovers); just keep it adequately watered, meaning as the drainage holes begin to dry out, water it well, then back off again and repeat this watering schedule. They are a pretty resilient plant, so I think if it is given half a chance it will be fine. Keed the leaves misted whenever possible, but don't let those roots sit in water or they will rot.