Question
Good Afternoon Will,
My wife and I have a yucca plant that has been through various stages of dying to total recovery. We have had the plant more than 12 years now and it always seems to pull it out despite our best efforts. Recently it had lost all of its leaves was completely bare. We thought we had done the job finally but to our surprise it sprouted a new set at the very tip of the plant (it is about 4 feet tall. We are glad that it has not passed on. Needless to say it looks quite poor having this tiny sprout on a fairly large plant. We have noticed close to the new leaves little feeler like nubs. We were wondering if we could cut it below where the feelers are put it in water and replant it without the rest of the plant? Are we risking killing it for good?

Answer
Hi Sheldon,

As long as the roots and the stem are still viable, and apparently they are, then you should be able to cut back the stem at almost any point. New growth would then emerge just below the point on the stem where you make the cut. The pruned off section can be rooted in water or moist soil, but it is best to cut off all but 3-4 inches of bare stem below the lowest leaves.

If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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