Fittonia stem breaking

9 years ago

I've had a fittonia juanita plant for about six months now. I repotted it after getting it. It's been growing well, I fertilize it every so often and water it to keep the soil moist. I mist the plant in the winter as it needs to be kept in a humid environment. Otherwise, I live in the south so the air is always humid anyway. However over the course of the past week, this plant has been dying. There were multiple stems sprouting. The leaves on one of the stems began to lose color and started wilting. The next stem broke at the base. I'm quite positive nothing has gotten to the plant to break it. It seems as though the stem is growing really weak at the base and starts to wilt and tear. Another stem has just begun to do that and I'm really concerned. I'm a complete noob when it comes to planting so I've been reading up whatever I can and just trying to keep this plant alive. I think the roots might possibly be rotting but I cannot be sure. The leaves of the plants look perfectly fine, but the stem just isn't holding up anymore. If anyone has any suggestions, it will be greatly appreciated!!

Featured Answer

Karen S. (7b, NYC)

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hi Miriam,

Glad you didn't do rocks, they don't help. I asked 'cause lately some other folks coming here for similar help have mentioned doing it.

I grow this Fittonia myself, currently the large-leafed red like yours (didn't know it's called Juanita), on a pebble tray, & water every 4 days or so (a day or 2 before it would wilt). I don't mist at all.

If you're worried you'll lose the plants, you could take cuttings & water root them & then restart them.

These are hard to grow outside terrariums or one's bathroom given their need for humidity, tho' I'm up here in NYC, can be plenty humid here too.

I used to grow the small-leafed, green Fittonia in a big terrarium & I'd periodically pinch a piece off the top, w/ the top 2 pairs of leaves, & then place that top piece right back in the terrarium to look full & lush.

So I explain that to assure you that I know they can be restarted from tip cuttings like I've described in either water or mix.

If you like, unpot it, clean it up, shake off most of the mix & post pix of what you've found as roots, I'll come back & look to see what I'd suggest.

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Comments (10)

Dave
9 years ago
Do you have any photos?
Miriam
Original Author
9 years ago
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Miriam
Original Author
9 years ago
I can take more pictures if needed
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
9 years ago
I'd guess roots rotting or drainage problems, hard to tell.

Does the pot have a hole in the bottom? Did you happen to pot this up w/ rocks down under the mix?
Miriam
Original Author
9 years ago
The pot has little holes at the bottom, but I didn't pot it with rocks. I feel like it's root rot too. Is there a way I can prevent roots from further rotting? Should I try to repot it?
Miriam
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks so much, Karen! I'm going to restart from tip cuttings, and I'm also going to stop watering it to see if the last bit has been affected by root rot or not. If it begins to wilt as well, I'll unpot it and post pics of the roots.
Miriam
Original Author
9 years ago
Update: I removed a portion of the plant from the soil to check the roots, not sure if they're rotten or not. I've moved the plant to the bathroom to see if it'll hold up better there, and I also took some cuttings in hopes that they'll grow. Fingers crossed!
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
9 years ago
Hi Again,

You're welcome, thx for posting the update.

These roots look good to me, just one spot I question. On the stem, 1/2 way up just below the green where it forks. Is that spot soft or wobbly at all at that angled spot just below the green?

I feel like it's going to snap right there; part of me thinks you should snap it off at that angle to control the break. You could sprinkle cinnamon at the bottom & shake it off. It's a natural antifungal so will help hold off rot while the plant grows new roots in the mix.

I can't figure out what's wrong. You said you repotted it after you bought it. What kind of mix (soil) is that? Wasn't going to ask 'cause it otherwise looks OK from here.

Did nearby conditions change, heat on or off, exposed to drafts, anything like that?

How often is "every so often" re: fertilizer -- could it be too often? I'd stop fertilizing for a while.

When I've had trouble w/ these it's been from drying out too far, not root rot, so I'm perplexed.

Dave - if you're reading along, I'd welcome your input, or anybody else as well pls.
Miriam
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes that area was a soft spot and the plant began to slightly tear at that point. I did end up snapping it off there.

I can't recall what type of soil I planted it in, it was standard potting soil with vermiculite and osmocote mixed in. It was excess soil that I had left over from a mix I made in a lab I work for. I repotted it about 4 months ago and it's been holding up well. I also fertilize once a month.

The only recent change I've had is that I came home from my campus over winter break and brought my plants with me. I'm assuming that may have irritated the plant. There are springtails in the soil, but they've always been there. I'm going to refrain from tampering with the soil too much, and I'll also water it less.