Plant Surgery on Old Teenage Dieffenbachia

@capirani (2791)
United States
May 14, 2024 10:33pm CST
I took the plunge. Granted I was nervous. I have taken cuttings and cut back leggy plants and overgrown plants many times. But this was different. This plant was entrusted to me to keep it alive, and I was nervous about cutting it back. Here in the photo are the results. Two nice cuttings off the top of the plant plus one leaf that I hope will also root. Some do, but most don't. Then I repotted the main stem and roots into a better pot. I left three nice leaves on the top as there were none below those. I am hoping that by trimming it back the main stem will sprout new leaves down by the roots and base of the stem. If that happens, and they grow healthy and strong, I can remove more of the leggy stem, and root the top part. I keep telling myself that the plant is still 16 years old (or 19). Just smaller, and hopefully to grow even stronger.
6 people like this
6 responses
@marguicha (216910)
• Chile
15 May
I love that plant!
2 people like this
@Rimps85 (1250)
• India
15 May
"Plant Surgery" sounds interesting....
1 person likes this
@capirani (2791)
• United States
16 May
When I was in my late teens and early twenties, my mom said I should open a plant hospital because I was so good at rejuvenating houseplants that were dying for whatever reason. Over the years I have gotten most of my plants from stores where they had dying plants that they gave to me for free. Places like grocery stores that sold plants. I never did do the plant hospital thing. But now 40+ years later, I thought the term plant surgery was a good one. LOL
@Rimps85 (1250)
• India
16 May
@capirani yes, it is...they are living beings too
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (134750)
• Roseburg, Oregon
15 May
That is a beautiful plant.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (97247)
• Marion, Ohio
15 May
It looks better. Hopefully the cuttings root
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (74555)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 May
Now I understand, Best of luck with your plant,
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (160234)
• United States
15 May
I hope the lovely plant takes root. Have a great day.
1 person likes this