Question
I have an Acuba that has been growing better than it has in the past few years.  It is from a cutting that my grandmother grew for me a long time ago.   All of a sudden the stalk and leaves started turning black and falling off.  What is going on?  Your help is appreciated.  

Answer
I do not know much about the Acuba but I went to Google and found some links for you to check out.

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Ornamental/od21aucuba/od21aucuba.htm

http://www.crescentbloom.com/plants/Specimen/AU/Aucuba%20japonica%20Picturata.ht...

http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/AUCJAPA.PDF#search=%22Acuba%20plant%22
Hopefully this will help you.