The small roots growing toward the outside and bottom of the pot should be white. Wirey and springy sounds like dead roots. Here is my suggestion. Take off as many leaves as you feel are not going to make it (sounds like you already did this. Cut off most all of that root ball because I think it is dead...as you are cutting it away and if it keeps looking dead, then just cut all that rootball off leaving that viable stem/neck. The "neck of the plant, is all along the stem where old leaves were and newer leaves you took off...scrape this with a knife, you need to get off the outer layer, the old scabs, etc so new roots will grow out. Like scraping the bark from a branch. Repot it up to the first row of leaves, all that stem should be in dirt. Repot into a smaller pot, as that old pot is way too big for it now...you can use a plastic dixie cup or drink cup that is not too deep and punch holes in the bottom as a pot. If you just have a short stem, use a 3oz solo cup or something of that size you can make drainage holes in. Use some better soil, av soil from the store and if you know what perlite is or can find some at the store, add some more of that into the av soil, it will help the soil drain better and not hold as much water, more air for the roots. Soil should just be DAMP, not wet. Put it in that bag and try again....don't put it in sun, it will cook. If it is able, it should start putting out new roots from the scraped areas of the neck. If it survives, come back here and let us know and we will tell you to replant it in not too big a pot and how to "wicK" water it so it is more constantly moist and not wet and won't dry out as quickly. I do this all the time to plants, cut off the neck and regrow the roots. the key is not too wet soil and scraping so new roots will grow out. Hope it works for you! I saved my favorite Cool Mint, a constant bloomer, had root root and it was limp and not much left to it after I had to cut alot away and I did just what I told you and now it is healthy and has grown lots of leaves again. And don't forget to also try and put down a couple leaves you took off to root. There are pictures and lessons at this place.. robsviolet.com/restarting%20violet.htm has pictures of them worst case senario restoring a violet. If I got the addy wrong, its the violet barn, lessons, restoring a violet.

Update: I moved to the Caribbean 11 months ago and brought my sorry, three legged Lepismium?? with me. It's grown a bit but is still a tiny thing. Maybe now we can better ID it??? It hangs happily on a porch, receiving 5 hours of morning sun, then indirect sunlight the rest of the day. I noticed most of the tips and edges have turned reddish since relocation. It also has little white 'beards' all along its stalks. However, it has never flowered. Perhaps it needs more sun? And, by the way, what's up with this Tanzanian Zipper? Those are Echinopsis pups in there with this Tanzanian Zipper. I received it as a cutting with 3 others that died within a week. This one looks the exact same size it looked two years ago! It's still alive but never grew one root and appears to be in a perpetual snooze. Any ideas how I can jolt this one to life? Or perhaps it's time to throw in the towel. If anyone has this succulent, please consider a trade with me...click on my username to get to my profile, where you'll see my trade list. I'd love to own one that actually does something. Peace! - Maria Elena

I find that some of the "viney" things like that just take their good old sweet time to bloom. Don't really know why. Glad you are having tea with Miss Patience!!!!! One day you will have flowers when you least expect it!!! Rosie

Dracaena marginata. There are many varieties of Dracaenas. Yours is specifically marginata. I have it in both dark green with the reddish outer stripe and in a variegated light green & yellow. Both are lovely but you have to cut it down periodically to keep it tame. I'm curious where you got the name "fireworks." Is that something you just made up? I have a lily bulb Scadoxus multiflorus, "Fireball / Bola de Fuego" ... It's literally a 6" red ball and looks spectacular! You may be interested in this one: Your adeniums look really fantastic. Keep up the great work. What's the "blankie" on the bottom for? Is that to prevent sunburn? Maria Elena