Root Awakening: Lucky Bamboo’s nodes will produce new growth

Growth can be pruned and rooted separately

Is it normal for Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) to develop new shoots from its base? Should I dig it out to check its roots or let the shoot grow?

Gabriel Chia

Your Lucky Bamboo has nodes along its stem, even the parts buried in the soil. These nodes have buds which can produce new growth, as seen in the picture.

In time, another shoot will grow. If you prefer your Lucky Bamboo’s current look, you can prune the growth. Alternatively, you can let it grow, and then cut and root it in another pot.

Dwarf snake plant needs better-draining soil

My snake plant’s lower leaves have started to wither and yellow, while the top remains healthy. Could this be due to natural ageing or is my plant root-bound?

Logam Pala

The lower leaves of your Dwarf Snake Plant have turned soft and collapsed. This is commonly seen in plants that have been grown in low light and wet soil.

This plant needs well-draining soil, which should be allowed to dry out slightly before watering again. If you are growing this plant in an apartment setting, you may want to add coarse materials, such as fine expanded clay pellets (also known as leca) or pumice, to improve drainage.

Give your plant more light. Under low light conditions, the root zone may not dry out fast enough, leading to wet feet and potential disease.

Patches on leaves could be to environmental factors

What is wrong with my Ficus Audrey?

Doreen Tan

Your Ficus Audrey’s problem could be due to an environmental change or human action, though it is difficult to diagnose without further details.

Was the plant grown in the shade and suddenly exposed to strong sunlight recently? This can happen in apartment gardens as the direction of sunlight can change over the course of a year.

Sudden exposure to strong sunlight can burn the leaves. The plant will eventually adapt to higher light levels, but the damaged leaves will not recover. If you want to move your plant to a brighter spot, do so gradually.

Another possibility could be physical damage to the leaves, such as that from a spray. Too high a concentration of fertiliser or an oil-based pesticide sprayed onto the leaves can hurt the foliage. Always test a substance on a small part of the plant to see if the plant has an adverse reaction.

Noni plant can grow into a tree

This plant is growing in a pot on my verandah. What is it?

Wee Peng Huay

You have a Noni plant (Morinda citrifolia). Given space, this species can grow into a small tree. It grows best in a semi-shaded location with well-draining soil. Its fruit and leaves have medicinal uses.

Protect pepper plant from the elements

My lunchbox pepper plants are grown from seeds. They are in a semi-shaded spot on the balcony, fertilised weekly and watered only when the soil is dry to the touch. They have no discernible pest issues. There are many flowers, but they all fall off without turning into fruit. What is wrong?

Janis Tan

Your plant could be shedding flowers due to environmental factors. The pepper (chilli) plant is best grown in a sunny spot with at least four to six hours of direct sunlight a day. Protect it from constant strong winds as that can dry the plant out. Keep the plant moist at all times, but do not let it wilt or become waterlogged.

To help your plant fruit, you may want to perform hand pollination. You can use a small paintbrush to transfer pollen or use an electric toothbrush to gently agitate the flowers.