Clueless And Need Help

saraheliz41 · #1 January 2nd, 2007, 04:23 PM

Hi
I've had an indoor plant for approximately 4 years now. Its very popular and I've always looked after it well. However in the past month its dying. What can I do to bring it back to life? Please help?

saraheliz41 · #2 January 2nd, 2007, 04:25 PM

Any idea where I can find out my plant on the internet? Please

**Marn** · #3 January 2nd, 2007, 05:57 PM

is it possible to post a pic ??..
it is really hard to tell what is happening with it and what kind of care it needs without knowing what kind of plant ..
so if possible could you please post a pic .. or even describe the plant well.. some of us can get it by description...

Marn

saraheliz41 · #4 January 2nd, 2007, 06:29 PM

Hi

Thanks for the reply. I've since looked around on the internet and I think its a Dracaena marginata. Looks very like it anyway. I have also looked at the pot its in and i didn't have any holes in it. The soil isn't too wet but does feel damp. However the leaves seem to be gone almost if not brown, and the stem almost feels hollow. Do you reckon it can be saved?

**Marn** · #5 January 2nd, 2007, 08:56 PM

that kind of plant needs drainage .. i would get it into anothe pot with holes .. they like it more on the dry side .. but not tottaly dried out ..
so get it into another pot and dont water it for a lil while ...

Marn

saraheliz41 · #6 January 3rd, 2007, 03:27 PM

Hi,

thanks for the advice. Havent got any more pots but have poked some holes and emplied the pot and let it stand for a bit not in the pot to dry the soil out and moved the soil around to dry it out. What do you reckon?
Thanks

**jamkh** · #7 January 3rd, 2007, 11:27 PM

Sara,
Your plant is being poisoned by the accumulated salt in the medium as there is no leaching when the pots don't have drainage holes. First step is to drain out the excess salt by turning on a hose and let the water drain through the soil for 30 minutes, Then ensure that the soil remains just barely moist but never completely dry. Using the weight of the pot as it dries is a good guide. When the plant shows some signs of recovery like new leaves appearing readily, then you need to repot into fresh soil or soiless mix to give it new vigor. I know this action will pull your plant through its setback.