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Please help my String of Hearts...is dying

5 years ago

I have it for 2 months & it has been doing great. I was taking it down from the shelf 2 days ago & checking on the soil & found out there were yellow leaves above the soil. Some leaves fell off. Have a closing look , the stem closer to the root is actually drying & the leaves around that part is turning yellow. Please help me to save it. Should I cut the stem propagate the rest ? The string is probably now 1.5 meter long. And the "looking dead" stem is just right above the soil.

This string of heart have 2 main vines. One is obviously dying as described. The other vine does have 1-2 leaves starts turning yellow but the vine is fine. What can I do to save the other vine?

Please help

Featured Answer

dbarron

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Yes, soils and watering are definitely the main issue for neophytes, but it's all related. You can grow anything in almost any media if you know what you're doing and why. It's all a balancing act (and might require you to stand on your head, etc).

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Comments (12)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
5 years ago
How and how often are you watering and how much light is it getting up on the shelf?

tj
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Yes, pls DO take some stem cuttings, I find that's best w/ these. One can also root those stem cuttings in water. Sometimes I do both. Also. if you find little white balls, those are its tubers, which one can plant as well.

Is that a peat based mix? Doesn't look fast draining, is it hard to the touch?
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These can be a bit tricky but they're tougher than they look. Sounds like yours has a rootball which is thirsty, but can't take up they water from a hardened off rootball. So, you can soak it in an inch or 2 of water, or take it out of pot first, rough up bottom roots & soak for a while. OR, poke some holes in the top of the mix & water directly into them. In several months you might remove the mix from the roots completely & refresh w/ new mix. A few yellowing leaves can be removed, no problem. Also, I'd remove that mossy stuff, doesn't help the plant & just gives insects a potential home. One of mine, showing some of its tubers. I usually cut these back every year or 2 & restart them. They sometimes look scrappy, & can benefit from restarting. One can take stem or tip cuttings & root them in water, too.
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Treegeek Z6a (Boston)
5 years ago
How often are you watering? Are you letting it dry down completely between waterings?

How much light is it getting?

Are you using any fertilizers? If so how much and how often?

These two threads will help you, take the time to read them. If you still have questions, we are here to help.

Container Soils XXII
https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2842847/container-soils-water-movement-and-retention-xxii

Good Growing
Practices - An Overview
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/houseplt/msg101400289284.html
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
Direct links to the above noted threads:

Container Soils

Good Growing Practices

Just click....no need to cut and paste the link!!
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Easy there Treegeek, I get that you're enthused, but pls. could you give them a minute to maybe answer Tsuga's & my Questions about the soil?
Treegeek Z6a (Boston)
5 years ago
Karen (and all).... These should be stickies, and required reading before asking questions of what's wrong with my plant? Everyone should understand the "why" not just the "what" and the "how".
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
5 years ago
Well maybe, but not likely to happen here, so don't hold your breath. Many newcomers aren't going to read 1/2 that volume of material. Most newbies here want the quick answer to their problems. Perhaps you haven't picked up on that yet.
dbarron
5 years ago
Lol, I do agree with TG, but realize you're probably right Karen. And even with all the information in those posts, they're not inclusive of light issues and temperature.
Treegeek Z6a (Boston)
5 years ago
Karen, I have picked up on that and I don't think you are incorrect. But, I also realize that shortcuts are generally not the best method. The old adage "teach a man to fish...." seems to apply quite nicely here.

You can be the good cop giving them the shortcut, i'll be the bad cop trying to force them to learn how to properly care for their plants. We will make a great team!
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
You'll see over time that soil issues tend to be THE foremost issue almost more than watering (over), as so many folks end up buying at BB stores w/ their GENERALLY SPEAKING peatier mixes.
Treegeek Z6a (Boston)
5 years ago
I have read EVERY post in this thread. In my limited amount of time here (active vs. lurking), I already see that soils are the main culprit.

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