How to breathe life back into an ancient aspidistra?

[madoldcatlady]

I'm very fond of this plant due to the fact that it was given to me by my parents when I left home, many, many moons ago However until recent months it has thrived on neglect. It's been watered at irregular intervals and fed on the very odd occasion. As I said it thrived on this but this year it's gone into a decline. It currently has 5 leaves, all of which are going brown from the tips down.

I really don't want to lose this old friend,he's been everywhere with me since I was 18.

Any tips gratefully received.

[madoldcatlady]

Oh dear Christie. Yours sound very sad.

[Callmemadam]

Hi, I have bits of Great Grandma's aspidistra!! I sugest that you get it out of its pot, and using a V sharp knife cut the root mass into sections. Discard anything that looks manky, and repot each piece in fresh indoor plant compost and water well. Keep watered and in a shady place at room temperature for about three weeks and each piece should throw up new shoots. If aspidistras get too pot bound they choke and starve. Hope this helps

[madoldcatlady]

Thanks madam. I'll be doing that this afternoon. I suppose there's a strong possibilty of mine being choked and starved. It's been in the same pot for, ooh about17 years.

[Callmemadam]

Can't wait to hear if you're both successful . Keep 'em damp (not wet) for the first 10 dys or so to give them a chance to establish, and use good quality indoor plant compost if you can get it.

[madoldcatlady]

Oh, my poor aspi!

I finally got round to repotting it today.

As I said, it's been in the same pot for 17+ years. When I pullegd it out of the pot there was no soil in it!

I mean not one since speck! The roots totally filled the pot. No wonder it was dying. Poor plant.

So I've put it in a lovely new, big pot, with some very expensive house plant compost. I gave it a little water and put it outside for a bit of fresh air and sunshine. The shock of all thios pampering will probably finish it off!

[madoldcatlady]

I'm so rubbish. Sorry for the awful spellings. Just woke up from my afternoon nap.

[madoldcatlady]

So in just less than a month my old aspi has grown 4 new leaves!!

How is yours doing Christie?

[Callmemadam]

Moadoldcatlady - I am so pleased for you and your poor aspidistra (gives self big hug emoticon)!!! Mine is currently outside enjoying the rain - if you live down South you can park yours outside the door in the shade and it will lap the fresh air. Just don't let it get a chill (think Great-Aunt Ada enjoying the view from her chair

[madoldcatlady]

Thanks so much for your advice Callmemadam, you deserve that hug!

I'm so glad the old dear gets another chance, it will be a family heirloom one day!