Dear Plant Pimp

[SunTzu]

My rose bush is doing the same thing, except the blossoms are dying as well.
I think in my case it is the mere act of me thinking about trying to aid a plant, any plant, that begins its eventual demise.
Please help.
Please?

 

[wiffledaddy]

Hi there, sorry for the delay, missed the post.

Yeah, your rose looks tired. I think what you've got there is a fungal infection. By looking at the picture, however, it looks like this is a systemic issue. All those dead parts of the plant visible toward the base of the plant makes me think there is a lot of only semi-viable plant matter. Basically, I'd give this plant a serious trim. Cut off all the dead stuff, and then trim down all the green. Leave nothing thicker than a pencil all the way around.

Best bet, though, really, is to dig it up, and plant a new rose.

Disclaimer: I'm not the most knowledgeable rose guy.

Dear Plant Pimp,

My roses are looking pretty sad this year. They have black discoloration on the leaves that seems to follow the veins.
This is the first time in 8 years they have looked like this, what are they sick and tired of (whoops, that's me that's sick and tired of stuff!)?

 

[wiffledaddy]

Might be the same fungal issue. It's been kind of a long wet season. The rain, then warm, then rain can be hell on a neglected plant.

Pics are very helpful. Post up a pic.

My rose bush is doing the same thing, except the blossoms are dying as well.
I think in my case it is the mere act of me thinking about trying to aid a plant, any plant, that begins its eventual demise.
Please help.
Please?

 

[brichter]

Cool. Roses get a haircut this weekend.

 

[wannabe]

Dear Plant Pimp,

OK, so I got the corn plant home and repotted. Here's a picture of the guy in his new home.

 

[wannabe]

My questions are in regards to your trimming recommendations:

What you want to do is trim that stalk with the dying leaves back to the healthy part. If it looks brown or rotten where you cut it, cut a little lower down. I'd start at or below the height where the thriving foliage is on the healthy cane. but, to be clear, you don't need to any trimming on the healthy one.

Here's a closer shot from the other side of the plant. It appears that the unhealthy stalk was trimmed before. The top circle shows the spot where it looks like someone 'topped' the cane them put on some red material to keep the bugs out. The bottom circle shows where there is another side growth coming out of the bad cane.

Should I trim this cane all the way down to where that little side growth is? Or, should I just go ahead and trim down to that red cap? Basically, just lop off the two little stalks? Where specifically do you suggest that I trim this stalk?

 

[wannabe]

Here's a closer shot of the little side sprout. It doesn't look to me like he's long for this world either.

After you answer the above questions, I'll show you my newest acquisitions.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[wiffledaddy]

I don't think you have anything to lose by trimming this one all the way down to the cane. It looks like it really wants to keep living, based on the new shoot.

Give it kind attention and it will be fine. I see you repotted it. Be careful to water it close to the base of the canes.

ps: this dracaena massangeana is commonly called a 'corn plant' but it's not a corn plant. You take good care of it for a thousand years and it will never produce a single ear of corn.

 

[wannabe]

Thanks for the advice as usual. I think I'm offically addicted.

Check out my new acquisitions. (I promised myself that I wouldn't bring any more home after these.)

 

[wannabe]

Dear Plant Pimp,

OK, it appears that the asexual reproduction of my pothos was successful. Thed ones that I soaked in water are now sprouting some long roots.

What do I do with them now?

 

[wiffledaddy]

Wow, I thought this thread was dead, yet it lives on.

Put an inch or so of potting soil in the container you want to plant the pothos in. Place the newly rooted vine cuttings on top of this and gently cover them with more loose soil. Only press down on the soil enough to keep the vines in place. Space your cuttings evenly around the container. Water well and then let the soil go dry on top before watering again. No fertilizer for a month or 2.

 

[JadedOne]

Dear Plant Pimp,

My orchid lost all of it's flowers. I didn't feed it the food you recommended. Can I still save it?

,

JadedOne

 

[wiffledaddy]

Dear Jade:

more than likely, the plant is just fine. Orchids can only hold on to the flowers for a while, but the plant usually survives to flower again.

I can't remember what kind of orchid you have. Does it look like the one pictured below? If so, how many leaves are left?

If there are 3+ leaves, then cut the flower stalk back about halfway down. If there are only 2, then cut it all the way to the base.

An orchid gets a nice warm watering in the sink, and the water is to run through the potting medium. Don't let your orchid sit in water. It doesn't like wet feet!

If this isn't what your orchid looks like let me know. The important thing is the way the leaves look, not necessarily the flowers.

 

[JadedOne]

Yes, that's what it looks like. Oh, I also forgot to mention that the leaves are no longer vibrant green. They are yellow and sickly looking.

 

[wiffledaddy]

Well, if the leaves aren't looking good, then you want to trim that stalk back to the base of the plant.

It can be a couple of things causing the yellowing. It may not be getting enough water, it may be getting too much water, or the light may be wrong.

This type of orchid is hybridized from one which grows beneath a forest canopy, so it does not tolerate direct sunlight well. It likes morning sun, ie, eastern exposure, or indirect light. Bright, indirect light is best.

The roots, which are visible, should be growing and green. If they are black and wet, you are overwatering. If they are brown and crispy, underwatering. The plant should be watered approx. once a week.

I've attached a picture of healthy orchid roots. The material coating the growing root is called velamen, and it should be a little bit shiny, and the growth past there should be green. This is your goal as an orchid owner.

Sorry for the phallic nature of these images, but nature does tend to repeat itself.

 

[JadedOne]

That's hot. Thanks WD.. I'll check on the orchid's roots tonight

 

[lizard]

Dear Plant Pimp,

My orchid lost all of it's flowers. I didn't feed it the food you recommended. Can I still save it?

,

JadedOne

That is a cryptic message if I've ever seen one!!!

Jaded, we all know you've been deflowered. There's no such thing as a born-again virgin.




Meanwhile......

Dear Plant Pimp,

Why are some of the stalks on my brother's Peruvian Lily flopping to the ground. Is a cat sleeping in there at night, not enough water, or are the flowers too heavy?

TIA

 

[cardinal03]

here's an easy one, what's a good starter plant?

 

[JadedOne]

Just because you've been devirginized in both your orifices doesn't mean I have. I'm still 1/3s virgin

WD - I need help weeding my patio so I can start my herb garden. Will you help me? Thanks.

That is a cryptic message if I've ever seen one!!!

Jaded, we all know you've been deflowered. There's no such thing as a born-again virgin.

 

[wiffledaddy]

Dear Plant Pimp,

Why are some of the stalks on my brother's Peruvian Lily flopping to the ground. Is a cat sleeping in there at night, not enough water, or are the flowers too heavy?

TIA

Dr. Lizardo:

The Alstroemeria can be a little droopy, depending on which variety it is. As far as the water issues, the leaves tend to droop first, so if this is the case, and you notice the leaves dropping a day or two before the flowers begin to sink, then underwatering is likely the problem.

The cat, however, does add some degree of uncertainty. Most cats are heavier than air, so can have some gravitational effect on flowering plants. Unless you have the particular Andean Cat Lilly variety, I'd think the cat sleeping on the plant will cause it to flatten out somewhat.