Hello, Im real stumped! I've got a second year basjoo, around 4/5 feet tall. It was overwintered indoors under a MH lamp we borrowed off a friend. The growth was super slow during winter not because of light, but because of temperature. We had hoped the lamp would boost the temp in the small shop room it was in. This was not the case and it went semi-dormant. I say semi because it would always seem to be pushing out a leaf- just real slow.

Anyway, now the growth of this particular plant is kind of stop and go. Also, the leaves are all bunched up! Newer sets are barely taller than older sets. Its kind of like an umbrella....

Should I have wacked off a portion of stem prior to waking it off?

A small piece of root was left over in the ground from this plant last year. It actually survived without any attention. Didn't even know it was there. But a pup grew from it. And if mama doesn't shape up, that pup will soon be taller than her!