Need help with houseplant? Any experts?

Ok, so I have this very sentimental plant. It belonged to my beloved(late) brother in law. His name is Hector Jr. *smiles*

It is a tall tropical plant with long leaves.

The problem is that a Hector III came along. And it is basically a siamese twin. Oddly though, the stalk looks completely different. But it sprouted out of the same bulb root thing as the first plant. It grew quickly, so I have a double plant.

My question is: can I separate the twins? Or will they die?

reply to post by nixie_nox

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OK, I am sort of an expert, but would like to see a picture to be sure.

You can separate the two plants coming from the same bulb if it is done properly as they are both "clones" of each other. A kitchen knife, I use a bread knife with the serrated edges will separate and then you will have 2 Hectors.

Just remember to treat them as you would an injured entity as it will take some time for them to recover and grow roots from the section of bulb that has now been "cut".

I'm an expert.

Let's identify the plant before you start cutting.
Post a picture or good description before you do anything.

Now this is Hector Jr and Hector III. Now I am sure it is a regular home depot tropical plant. Now I inherited Hector JR. about 7 years ago. He is the tall one on the right. Took this long to grow. But it seems to like this window.

LIke I said, hector III has just come this far in the past 1 tops.




This is the root, bulb thingy or whatever it is growing out of.




I am just showing you the stems since they look like different kinds of plants to me.




I am showing you this strictly for amusement purposes. As I am NOT a professional at plants. This is my very disgruntled ficus. Who only now is starting to let go of its resentment and talk to me. I have learned that ficus's are a lot like husbands and that you try to do somethign nice for them like take them outside for sunshine, they resent change and get disgruntled on you.

Thank you so much for your assistance AD! You too Tribe

I hate to tell you this, but Hector's name is actually Janet. If she prefers to be called Hector though, who am I to judge.

It's a dracenia, and easily propagated from cuttings.
Count about seven rings from the base of the stem you want to remove and make a clean cut between two rings.

I usually let the cutting sit for 24 hours to dry the cut a bit, then insert the stem into moist potting soil with at least 5 of the rings under the surface. You may need to add a stick to support it while it establishes a root structure.

The remaining stalk on the original plant will actually start to branch out just below the area you made your cut.


As far as your poor ficus goes, it is definitely under stress.
The curvature of the leaves indicate lack of nutrients or repeated periods of lack of water. They don't like their environment changed that's for sure. Find a spot that is well lit and leave it there. Trim away any hard dead ends, and for God's sake feed the thing some fresh water and 20-20-20.

If it's been naughty and is being punished forget everything I said.

reply to post by anxietydisorder

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Wow you are an expert.


I do actually feed the plants, but I have been pretty sick recently and eveyrthing hasn't gotten regular feedings as they should have.

The story of the ficus is this: I put it on the deck. It was thriving and bushy and beautiful, and 2 weeks after moving it inside, turned into a skeleton. I read to let it go into dry periods and only water it a little.

So it is just finally coming out of its pouting period. But I will keep feeding it. It could probably use some new soil too, even a bigger pot.


So if I keep splitting Hector, and it keeps growing, am I just going to keep getting more Hectors? And bigger Hectors? As you see, plant space is limited.

Can I keep it like it is so it doesn't get bigger?

Oh and why do the stalks look so different?

[edit on 8-2-2010 by nixie_nox]

The story of the ficus is this: I put it on the deck. It was thriving and bushy and beautiful, and 2 weeks after moving it inside, turned into a skeleton. I read to let it go into dry periods and only water it a little.

So it is just finally coming out of its pouting period. But I will keep feeding it. It could probably use some new soil too, even a bigger pot.

Yeah, too much water can also be harmful. Natural salts can also build up in the soil over time and they don't like that. A little TLC and it should come right back.


So if I keep splitting Hector, and it keeps growing, am I just going to keep getting more Hectors? And bigger Hectors? As you see, plant space is limited.

Everything in nature grows and reproduces or dies.
If height is a problem you can crop it at the tops and it will just get more branches at the top making it thicker.

Can I keep it like it is so it doesn't get bigger?

Yes, I see no reason to cut it at this time unless you want more of them running around the house.

Oh and why do the stalks look so different?

Age..........
The newer growth is green and turns darker as it ages.
Also a stalk that grows quickly under certain conditions can be leggy with the leaves spaced further apart.


Glad to be of service, anytime for you nixie.

reply to post by anxietydisorder

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Thank you Anxiety. And my plants thank you too. I have been spending all weekend getting them into new soil. I do need to buy a bigger pot for the Hectors.

Now I give them miracle grow, is there anything else you recommend feeding plants?

Miracle-Gro is perfect.

It has a nice high nitrogen content that green leafy plants require. The label should read 24-8-16, and don't worry about the low 8, it's phosphate and you don't need a lot for indoor plants. Too much and it just accumulates in the potting soil.

The only other thing I use is a dusting of diatomaceous earth on the surface of the soil to control insects such as fungus gnats.

If you feel kinky you can pee on Hector, urea is good in small amounts and very high in nitrogen.
Everything in moderation though.

reply to post by anxietydisorder

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How about my cat because I have worked hard to keep my cat from peeing in the plants. Was it really counter productive?

No, not counter productive at all.

Cats are destructive with all that digging involved, and if they pee in the plants they'll also poop. Nobody wants that stink in the house.