Expert: Darlene K. Kittle - 10/26/2009

Question
I was gifted with a plant that I believe is a mass cane.  One of the stalks just recently lost all of its leaves.  All of the leaves turned brown and I peeled them off.  How do I make this stalk have leaves again?  Should I trim down the shoot where the leaves sprout?

Thanks,
Cindy

Answer
Cindy,

First I would check to see if this cane is well rooted. If it pulls out of the soil easily you have a root problem on that cane. I would inspect it for any root rot and if I found that cut away the rotten portions then dip the cane in a powdered rooting hormone and insert it in a separate small pot of potting soil with some sand mixed in. Then I would water that with water that has B-2 starting hormone mixed in with it. That is available in most garden centers. Put this in a very bright location so it will get enough light to grow. Once it is growing well you can put it back in the pot with the other stalks. Be very careful not to let this plant sit with a lot of water in the drain tray or the roots will easily rot and the plant will die. It is not a good plant for a self watering pot. Good luck.

Darlene