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Please help me save my sad Golden Pothos (Jesse)

sophia_s1sophia_s1 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi,

I have a Golden Pothos named Jesse who I love very much. I have a sentimental attachment because he was a gift from my friend who moved away. Recently, Jesse's leaves have been turning yellow near the roots. I'm worried that he has root rot. I'm a newbie so would be grateful for advice. I'm desperate to keep him alive. He has a lot of new growth towards the ends of his tendrils. I really don't want him to slowly deteriorate.  

I live in London, and my pothos is in a hanging pot in front of a South West facing window. There is a sheer screen that protects him from direct sunlight. The hanging pot does have a drainage hole. My room is usually between 18 - 26 degrees C. 

What I'm worried about is that I overwatered him. At first, he grew and grew and I noticed a few months in to having him that his roots were beginning to show. I bought soil, and topped up the soil in his pot so that it was even and covering the exposed roots. 

The yellowing leaves had started when the roots were more exposed. At first it was just one at a time and now there are four or five yellowing leaves, and more on the way. I am a bit of an anxious over-waterer in general (once a week usually). 

What can I do to help him? I'm not confident repotting plants, but if that's the best chance to save him I will do it. Will it help to let the soil dry out, or do I need to take more drastic measures? 

I am attaching photos. Thank you so much for any advice to keep Jesse alive!

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    What do you feed the plant with and how often? It's been growing well so might have exhausted the soil and needs some food. It is fairly normal for them to die off at the base a bit too. Sometimez you just have to add some new cuttings to the pot to fill in the gaps.

    Pothos take easily from cuttings so you can always make a backup plant or two  as well just in case. Loads of great guides on Youtube to taking cuttings and rooting them in soil or water.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • sophia_s1sophia_s1 Posts: 2
    wild edges said:
    What do you feed the plant with and how often? It's been growing well so might have exhausted the soil and needs some food. It is fairly normal for them to die off at the base a bit too. Sometimez you just have to add some new cuttings to the pot to fill in the gaps.

    Pothos take easily from cuttings so you can always make a backup plant or two  as well just in case. Loads of great guides on Youtube to taking cuttings and rooting them in soil or water.
    Thank you! 

    I fed him for the first time last week, with some diluted Houseplant Focus. How often should pothos be fed?

    Perhaps I'll have a go at adding new cuttings, too. And attempting to propagate so Jesse can live on. 
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Usually houseplant fertiliser is a weekly dose during the spring/summer but check the instructions. Use rainwater if you can too as it's better for plants than the tap stuff.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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