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I rescued a pitiful pothos at a workplace four or five years ago (it was a lonely job, and I named it Planty). When I left that job and moved (from Missouri to Wyoming), I took a cutting with me (propped up in a plastic cup of water in my car's cupholder). It grew roots, then I put it in a pot of soil. Unfortunately, possibly due to my forgetfulness, possibly due to the cat that came with the new house (who taste-tested anything green), it never really took. The plant got smaller, wiltier, and frailer over time. After a year, I put it back in a jar of water, and it just sort of clung to life by the skin of its teeth. After another year, we moved again (Wyoming to Iowa). Planty has remained sickly in a jar of water for the last year and a half. There are roots, but it is down to one tiny (very fragile looking) leaf. I am very emotionally attached to this plant (uprooting, nostalgia, the idea of "home," etc, etc), and really really really want it to survive. However, I'm terrified that anything I try will push it over the edge.
What can I do? Is there any way to save it? I know pothos are cheap and easily replaceable, but I want to try.
It isn't getting any nutrients from the water. This is like a patient in the critical care dept. of a hospital. It's unlikely that anything will save it, but if you don't to SOMETHING it will surely die. I hope it has a viable stem and roots. Put it in a small pot that drains well, in a good potting mix, and keep the mix damp but not sopping wet. Keep it in bright light but not direct sun. You knew that. I hope you can save it. Even if the one leaf doesn't make it, new ones may eventually appear.
And if kitty is still with you, I'd recommend finding a place where he can't get at it for a while--won't help it recover if it's getting nibbled. I also think I've seen pothos on the list of plants that can be toxic to pets, so I'd suggest keeping kitty away from it for that reason too.
Roots developed in water are slightly different than grown in soil, and take a while to adjust to being replanted. Add a layer of rocks and a layer of charcoal. The charcoal will help cleanse the water. Since the plant is unable to get any nutrients, add a very light dose of fertilizer. Maybe 1/4 strength, you don't want to burn up the plant. When you see new growth, fertilize full strength. In the past when I've replanted from water to soil, I've used a pot that has no drain holes. Filled with water and the plant. Over a period of time, I slowly add soil until eventually it's full of dirt than transplant to a pot with good drainage. A small dose of iron has also been good for my pothos.
Thanks so much for the suggestions (and for not calling me crazy). :) I'll suck it up and pot it today. By the way, now the cat leaves it alone. By "taste-testing" I meant she would do some extreme nibbling, then would spit it out, so I assume she eventually decided it was below her finicky standards.
If I have a sickly plant I don't fertilize at all since the roots of a weak plant are more likely to be damaged by the ferts. However, I've had real good luck using Super Thrive which isn't fertilizer, it's a combination of hormones and vitamins and it does wonders for plants. It's available at Wal Mart and some of our local nurseries here. If you decide to try it, be sure to read the instructions because it only takes a tiny amount.
I wanted to give you guys an update--I've had Planty in a pot of soil next to my desk at work since I last posted (in a nice cheerful window) and I've been anxiously watering/watching/willing him to live. He's looked exactly the same since I planted him (pale), but this morning, when sat down at my desk, I saw a new leaf unfurling from his stem! That puts him up to two leaves, and it surely means he's not in a coma anymore.
Thank you thank you thank you. I'll keep babying him--he's got a long way to go--but I wanted to say I appreciate your help--I think he's going to make it!
I agree with potting it up. You;d be surprised at how resiliant pothos are. After last winter, I cut one of my bigger ones that looked awful way down to the soil level, no leaves at all. stuck the pot outside to do away with and forgot about it. By the end of the summer, it had grown back into a gorgeous healthy plant.
ooh I'm pleased Planty has started new growth. I had a Pointsettia which lost all it's leaves, I refused to throw it out and it's sprouting away now, it's looking really busy and doing really really well...lets hope Planty does the same!
