Question
I have had a small "lucky bamboo" plant (Dracaena fragrans or sanderiana I believe) since Dec 2005 and it has been a wonderful plant. It's potted in an opaque container with pebbles, and I keep it in indirect sunlight. I haven't had any problems with it until now.

This morning I happened to check on it for the first time in a couple days and was horrified to find that some of the leaves had turned yellow! (Check your email, I've sent you a web link where I have posted pictures.) Also, the stalks were all a tiny bit wrinkly, and in the past I've found they do that when I'm not watering enough. Thinking back, I believe I've ignored it a couple days and so I'm not sure how long this has been the case (the yellow leaves). I immediately gave it more water (to help the wrinkly thirsty stalk problem) and did some Internet searching?Most places suggested my problem was either:

- The plant is upset that I was giving it tap water (something I know I've been doing, oops) because of the chlorine and fluoride often found in tap.
- The plant is getting too much sunlight. -- I don't think this is my problem, since my room doesn't get much sun.
- Maybe it's rot. (Not really sure how to identify that, though.)

Somewhere it was suggested that I take the plant out and clean everything- the rocks, the pot, rinse the roots?so I did. I've never done this before so I wasn't sure what I'd find?The roots are a tangled mess of little stringy things, kind of an orangey-beige or melon/coral color  and look alright I suppose. The stalks are green all the way down except for the last inch and a half or so which is a whiteish-yellow. I can also see the very base of each stalk through the roots and they are blackish...

Now I have a few questions:

1) Is the whiteish color at the base of each stalk normal, or is that the "yellowing at the base of the stalk" I should be worried about?

2) How do I know whether it's rotting? Is the blackness at the base of each stalk something to be concerned about? I can't tell whether that's something the original grower did or of it's something yicky?br>
3) The leaves appear to be yellowing starting with the leaves closest to the stalk, instead of the leaves at the top, and each leaf starts yellowing at its base rather than the tip. This makes me think that the yellowing leaves is separate from the fact that I hadn't watered it in a few days, because usually a leaf drying out will start yellowing at its tip first. Does that make sense? What could cause the yellowing of the leaves in this way?

4) Will the yellow leaves ever go back green, or should I cut them off? Should I remove the whole leave stalk or cut the main stalk or just cut out the yellowing leaves?

5) Anything I'm missing that I could do to help my plant?

I really love this plant and I'm hoping you can help me. I know I could always get another one, but I want to save this one if I can since it has sentimental value...

Thank you so much for your help!
-CHB

Answer
Hi Christina,

Thank you for the excellent photos. Top quality!

Your Dracaena sanderiana cuttings look fine and healthy, despite the yellow leaves. The roots and stems are fine and the colors are all normal. There s no evidence of rot. The roots and stems are more important than the leaves.

I suspect the problem is minimal light. In low light, a plant can support fewer leaves than a plant in medium light. Therefore, as it adds more leaves on top, it sacrifices older leaves on the bottom. I believe that is what yours is doing. However, I cannot rule out a period of excessive dryness as causing the yellow leaves.

Th best light for these cuttings would be what you get on a north or east windowsill that is completely uncovered during the daylight hours.

Remove the yellowed leaves. They will never return to their previous green color. The only reason to cut back the stems is to eliminate legginess and create a more compact plant.

Chlorine and fluoride are commonly identified as a cause of yellow leaves. This is not true for the amounts that are typically found in tap water. Hard or alkaline water is more commonly a problem, but that does not appear to be the case with yours.

If your plant was getting too much sunlight, the leaves would have a bleached out pale green color, not a bright yellow color.

When rot occurs, roots and stems become soft and mushy.

For longevity, I suggest that you move your rooted cuttings into a small pot filled with potting mix, just as you would any other rooted cuttings. If you leave them in water, eventually they will start to pale due to lack of nutrients. Let me know if you need more information about this.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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