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Avatar for Beezer106
Sep 8, 2016 3:12 PM CST
Thread OP

Hi!
Horrible green thumb here and I have let this plant get out of control. It was once a beautiful full table plant and after hanging and not doing anything with it well, it's straggly and sick looking. It was given to me by my mom when my baby was born so it means a lot to me. What is the best way to bring this plant back to life? I don't mind hanging it and I know it needs to be re-potted but before doing anything I thought I'd ask the experts! Also, if trimmed can I re-plant what's cut? Thanks in advance!
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Sep 8, 2016 7:05 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
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Welcome to NGA, @Beezer106 !

I believe that's a Pothos, and to my knowledge they are usually grown as a hanging plant; however, you can take cuttings off the ends of the vines and stick the cut ends in a glass of water and they will easily root (take any leaves off that will be in the water as they would likely rot). Once they root you can plant them in a pot, and if you prune the growing tips they should branch out and make a table plant -- or at least, I think so; I've never actually done that with a Pothos... Smiling

It also may need a little more light than it's presently getting to make it grow "bushier."
β€œThink occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
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Avatar for Dutchlady1
Sep 8, 2016 7:16 PM CST

Plumerias Photo Contest Winner: 2015 Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Master Level Forum moderator
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Welcome! Beezer106

I agree with Wheedwacker; you'll just have to get up the courage to cut some pieces off! I would take a first cutting of about 10 inches and root that piece, then keep trimming and do the same. They do root very easily.
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Sep 8, 2016 7:35 PM CST
Name: Daisy I
Reno, Nv (Zone 6b)
Not all who wander are lost
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Welcome! to NGA

Your plant is a Pothos and yes, you can bring it back to something you will be happy with. But its going to look worse before it looks better. Smiling

Pothos grow easily from cuttings in water. First, prepare to operate. Find a jar (quart size is good), fill it with water and add a drop of Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydrogent Peroxide (H2O2) when added to water (H20), breaks down into oxygen and water - that extra O oxygenates the water. Oxygen is an important part of root growth and health.

Cut those long branches back to just 3 or 4 leaf nodes. Your plant will look like a bunch of sticks for awhile but they will sprout at the leaf nodes you left.

Lay out the cut branches so all the tops face in the same direction. Now, cut the branches (without moving them) into pieces with 3 or 4 leaf nodes on each section. Pull the bottom set of leaves off each node that will be under water and put that section in the jar of water. Keep going until you finish and try to work quickly.

Change the water as it gets gross and add a drop of peroxide. If you need to level up the water, add a drop of peroxide. Keep those nodes under water. They will start growing roots in about a month and will be ready to add to your pot of Pothos in about 3 months. That's when you re-pot the whole plant.

The tip cuttings will root but continue to grow elongating the branch. They won't branch. The middle sections will branch at each leaf node. To get a fuller plant, cut the tip off the last secton.

Do it now. This plant is a tropical and growing in your house so timing is not an issue.

Keep us posted. We LOVE photos and progress reports. When you have something to add, continue with this thread. Don't start a new one.

Daisy
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming...."WOW What a Ride!!" -Mark Frost

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Sep 9, 2016 10:27 AM CST
Name: Philip Becker
Fresno California (Zone 8a)
Beezer: Howdy !!!
Dont cut it yet. Please 😬
You can get an instant table plant out of it TODAY !!! 😎😎😎
Re-pot it. Then cut a few hangers. Bend them in a U . stick them in pot. Now take 1 or two vines and wrap them around each wire to top and snip them off. Trim all the rest of vines off. Ka-pow #!!!
Instant free trellis. 😎 my mom had one in big pot inside house at bay window.with one of those 4 foot wooden V trellises. The whole trellis was covered. So there's you an ideal for the babies. Or gifts that would be very appreciated.
( ohh!!! I hope bee didnt chop it yet ! )😬
😎😎😎 Welcome! I tip my hat to you.
Anything i say, could be misrepresented, or wrong.
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Sep 9, 2016 10:36 AM CST
Name: Philip Becker
Fresno California (Zone 8a)
PS: I and we . sure would like to see an after picture. Be creative ! My idea was simple. Ideals are limitless 😎😎😎
Anything i say, could be misrepresented, or wrong.
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