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.

Oh dear Christie. Yours sound very sad.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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

How is yours doing Christie?

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

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!