What’s making my #Aglaonema sick??

Question

This leaf has been yellowing over time, and today I finally yanked it out and only then did I notice these brown spots. Alglaonemas seem to just be problematic… but not ruling out operator error! Help, friends! 💚
 #NotSoHappyPlants #ChineseEvergreen #Aglaonema #PlantAddict #PlantTherapy

@stephonicle · Accepted Answer

I was wondering the same thing as @Peachyhoyas about the one leaf sticking out of the soil. Did you perhaps bury it too deeply in the soil? That will definitely cause issue like leaf rot, which is what it looks like happened to the dead leaf.

Looking at the original photo of your Aglaonema, it's definitely lost several leaves since you got it, correct? My guess is the soil is staying too wet for too long. The plastic pot inside the ceramic pot can contribute to the soil staying damp, since there's restricted air flow between the two pots. After you water, do you dump out the water that's collected in the bottom of the ceramic pot? The soil also looks very wet and heavy, either too much peat or too much organic matter, or both. Although Aglaonema don't like their soil to completely dry out between waterings, they will absolutely get root rot if the soil isn't allowed to sufficiently dry out. Mixing extra perlite or orchid bark with the soil helps create air pockets and improves drainage. When the plant sits in heavy, wet soil for too long, it compacts around the roots and cuts off their oxygen supply, essentially suffocating them. The lack of oxygen is what allows the fungus that causes root rot to flourish.

@SillyPlantGirl · Answer

Hi Sara! Is it in a pot with no drainage? Well draining soil is essential for these plants- they also love high humidity - just not wet feet.

@Peachyhoyas · Answer

This may sound a bit silly but is the plant on the right actually attached to anything because to me it looks like a leaf stuck in soil?

The new growth looks fine to me, leaves do drop and if it’s new it could be just acclimating. Generally if the older leaves drop it’s okay but if you start seeing a lot or new leaf drop then you’ve probably got a root issue. The pot also looks a bit big for it but that may be okay depending on watering routine

@SvelteDevilsivy · Answer

Both types of material (ceramics and plastic) hold moisture in big time.

@BabeVila · Answer

@stephonicle I am attempting to rescue a friend’s aglaonema from root rot. After doing the regular treatment of trimming infected tissue and peroxide application etc, I put the the stems in water for about ten days. A couple of them started to grow new roots, but they also got new yellow on their leaves which told me I hadn’t gotten rid of the entire infection. After much research online, I determined I had to cut the stems up to healthy tissue and sacrifice all the “good” roots or I was risking just prolonging the death of the plant. I’m actually terrified because every time I try to root aglaonema in water I have bad luck and they rot. Do you have any tips for that? I’ve already done the rest of the dirty work. It really hurt to cut them, but it had to be done. To OP @WildNorth I’m sorry to hijack your post but I think this info would help both of us! And @Peachyhoyas please chime in if you have any suggestions! This is the current situation. I’ve heard dipping the bottom of the stem in wax can prevent rot when propping in water but I’ve also read it’s not necessary. So idk what to do 🤷🏻‍♀️😭🪴🫶🏻

@stephonicle · Answer

@BabeVila Yeah, I've had a few instances where a plant had signs of root rot so I moved it to water, then had to either completely cut off all the roots (even the ones I thought were healthy) or trim more off the bottom of the stem because it started rotting. I haven't dealt with that specifically w/ my aglaonema though, only because I've been too big of a wuss to cut any of mine yet lol. But something I have noticed w/ other plants is they seem more likely to rot when the stem sits on the bottom of the jar, or if the jar is too small. I think maybe it has something to do w/ the water becoming stagnant quicker? Idk for sure the science behind it lol. But maybe you could try putting them in a bigger jar/vase and see if that helps 🤷🏻‍♀️ Do you use tap or distilled water?

@Peachyhoyas · Answer

@BabeVila I personally would use moss or perlite for that and put it in a cup deep enough to cover the whole erm, idk what they’re called. It looks like the same type of thing that alocasias have. The whole node section thing so the whole thing has a chance of rooting.

I’m unfamiliar with water propagation but since you have a few stems it may be worth trying moss or perlite. I have a bunch of cups and jars I keep for things like propping long stems.

Oh and for drying them out, you can just leave the cutting out for a few hours for the end to dry off a bit

I drew a red line on your picture to show what I mean cause I never know the right name for those corm-like bases. Moss or perlite up to the line 😅

@Peachyhoyas · Answer

@BabeVila oh I also realised I had an anthurium I’m propping that way because I put it somewhere and forgot it was there so it dry rotted, and instead of picking the roots apart I just cut all of them off and put the stem part in moss (which I have successfully done before) 😅 Here’s a better example bc I can’t add another pic to the post I made

@BabeVila · Answer

@Peachyhoyas so I have sphagnum moss and these orchid pots. Would that work? I can’t afford to buy anything right now 🫣

@BabeVila · Answer

@stephonicle I use tap but I’ve also tried distilled many times too with the same results. I am thinking maybe I should try the moss this time since I never have luck with water propagation with these thick-stemmed things. And I’ve successfully grown new roots on many  succulents and cacti with coco husk chips so I could try that too! Thinking outside the box now lol! 🤗

@Peachyhoyas · Answer

@BabeVila yep completely fine! I usually pick up whatever is near me tbh mine just happened to be an orchid pot. Things like sauce and coffee jars (actually idk if glass instant coffee jars are a thing outside the uk) are great to save sometimes too for props (I have a concerning glass jar hoard under my bed 😂). Put a drainage tray or a tupperware container at the bottom for easy watering and you’re sorted. Just make sure the moss stays moist

@BabeVila · Answer

@Peachyhoyas awesome, thanks 😊

@Peachyhoyas · Answer

@WildNorth it may be worth checking for root rot then if you know you’re prone to over watering, and trying to find a chunkier mix for your plants until you gradually are able to read the plants tells as to when it needs water. Watering habits will improve as you start to learn more about your specific plants :)

@stephonicle · Answer

@WildNorth so the rogue leaf is attached to a stem somewhere beneath the surface? I think I agree with @Peachyhoyas , it might be best to just pull the whole plant out of the pot, check for any rot, and then repot it in a chunkier mix. I know most care guides for aglaonemas say they prefer their soil to stay moist, but that hasn't been my experience at all. Mine are in a mix of succulent soil, perlite, and either fine orchid bark or coco chips (whichever I happen to have on hand) and I always let them completely dry out between waterings. If that rogue leaf is attached to a stem, and if the stem doesn't have roots, it might be best to keep it in water or sphagnum moss to let it establish some roots before transferring back to the pot. If it does have roots, make sure to repot it so the petiole isn't buried in soil. That alone can cause it to rot.

If you do end up pulling it out of the pot, keep us updated with some pics of what you find! I'd be curious to see what's going on down there 🤓

If you do end up pulling it out of the pot, keep us updated with some pics of what you find! I'd be curious to see what's going on down there 🤓

What’s making my #Aglaonema sick??

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