Broken Stalk Emergency

[sadfarmer]

First off this is my first time on this site, I searched the forums for a similar topic but none seemed to cover the severity of my problem, I also posted this in "Plant Problems" but I figured more heads are better than one, apologies if I did not search thoroughly enough.

On to the problem: I have been growing a plant outdoors (flower bed), for about three months, our drought has made it difficult for the plant in the first place but she pulled through and was getting stronger every day for the last month. I had noticed some burned leaves and minimal insect damage but then lady bugs started to protect her and I would prune the dying leaves. Anyways, with the lack of rain and record heat only one main stalk grew to about 3.5 ft. and like I said before just started showing signs of flowering.

One day I went to check on her, I was in shock, something had gnawed the main stalk about 3 in. from the dirt. Totally severed. Stunned, I saw the stalk laying no more than a foot away from the cut root, so I immediately made a clean cut and spliced it back on securing it with duct tape; I was in a hurry as I was going out of town for a few days. Of course when I got home, same situation and again the stalk was not far away but this time basically stripped to a stick and completely dried out.

I have two questions that I could not find answers for anywhere online. The root system is still in tact, about three inches above ground, will this regenerate? If so, what can I do to ensure this?
It's only been about three days so any preventative measures I'm sure need to be done immediately. This is only my second plant, and she fought through one of our worst summers ever. I really don't wanna lose her any advice or help y'all can give is truly appreciated.

tl;dr : Main stalk was gnawed off shortly above the dirt, tried to splice/graft, had to leave town, got home and gnawed again, what can I do? Will the root survive and produce?

Pics from before the disaster:

[headshake]

one problem, one post. there is no need to post in multiple forums. posting in the appropriate forum will get you the viewers you seeks....not so much for posting in the wrong fourm. thanks.

-shake

[sunbiz1]

Why are you allowing animals to chew your plants?, use chicken wire or something. And to answer your question, most likely yes. I had a plant trampled by deer twice and eaten down to the stalk by aphids/mites 4 months ago. It's now my most prized plant(albeit a bit short on quantity).

Good luck,

Biz



First off this is my first time on this site, I searched the forums for a similar topic but none seemed to cover the severity of my problem, I also posted this in "Plant Problems" but I figured more heads are better than one, apologies if I did not search thoroughly enough.

On to the problem: I have been growing a plant outdoors (flower bed), for about three months, our drought has made it difficult for the plant in the first place but she pulled through and was getting stronger every day for the last month. I had noticed some burned leaves and minimal insect damage but then lady bugs started to protect her and I would prune the dying leaves. Anyways, with the lack of rain and record heat only one main stalk grew to about 3.5 ft. and like I said before just started showing signs of flowering.

One day I went to check on her, I was in shock, something had gnawed the main stalk about 3 in. from the dirt. Totally severed. Stunned, I saw the stalk laying no more than a foot away from the cut root, so I immediately made a clean cut and spliced it back on securing it with duct tape; I was in a hurry as I was going out of town for a few days. Of course when I got home, same situation and again the stalk was not far away but this time basically stripped to a stick and completely dried out.

I have two questions that I could not find answers for anywhere online. The root system is still in tact, about three inches above ground, will this regenerate? If so, what can I do to ensure this?
It's only been about three days so any preventative measures I'm sure need to be done immediately. This is only my second plant, and she fought through one of our worst summers ever. I really don't wanna lose her any advice or help y'all can give is truly appreciated.

tl;dr : Main stalk was gnawed off shortly above the dirt, tried to splice/graft, had to leave town, got home and gnawed again, what can I do? Will the root survive and produce?

Pics from before the disaster:

[sadfarmer]

Why are you allowing animals to chew your plants?, use chicken wire or something. And to answer your question, most likely yes. I had a plant trampled by deer twice and eaten down to the stalk by aphids/mites 4 months ago. It's now my most prized plant(albeit a bit short on quantity).

Good luck,

Biz

What did you do to help it live? I just performed surgery on the main trunk by cutting off pieces of the stalk that weren't completely dead. Check my pics and lemme know what you think. First three are damage, next two are my repairs.

[sadfarmer]

one problem, one post. there is no need to post in multiple forums. posting in the appropriate forum will get you the viewers you seeks....not so much for posting in the wrong fourm. thanks.

-shake

Sorry shake, I'm just frantic and trying to reach as many people as possible. My baby, she's turnin blue!! and not in a good way.

[headshake]

Sorry shake, I'm just frantic and trying to reach as many people as possible. My baby, she's turnin blue!! and not in a good way.

no worries farmer. now you know. and as they used to say at the end of GI Joe....."knowing is half the battle!

there is a possibility that you plant will survive. inside the stem (amongst other places) there xylem and phloem. xylem moves water up form the roots. phloem moves food particles from the top of the plant down to the roots.

so as long as stuff starts moving you should be ok.


-shake

[sunbiz1]

This plant was a broken stalk back in May, I transplanted it into a 5 gallon bucket from the ground. I then took it home and nursed it back to health. This is what it looks like today(as per attached below). This plant was transplanted 3 times, but is a very hardy and potent Mexican strain.
Before I respond to your surgery photos, where are you located?. Your plants are outdoors and will probably need to be transplanted to an indoor project(which will be a completely different undertaking than your current outdoor landscaping).

Let me know.

Biz

Edit, you're in Texas...let me know when you see new growth.




What did you do to help it live? I just performed surgery on the main trunk by cutting off pieces of the stalk that weren't completely dead. Check my pics and lemme know what you think. First three are damage, next two are my repairs.

[sadfarmer]

This plant was a broken stalk back in May, I transplanted it into a 5 gallon bucket from the ground. I then took it home and nursed it back to health. This is what it looks like today(as per attached below). This plant was transplanted 3 times, but is a very hardy and potent Mexican strain.
Before I respond to your surgery photos, where are you located?. Your plants are outdoors and will probably need to be transplanted to an indoor project(which will be a completely different undertaking than your current outdoor landscaping).

Let me know.

Biz

Edit, you're in Texas...let me know when you see new growth.

Thanks for the confidence boost, I went ahead and followed your advice and transplanted it to a bucket with chicken wire for added protection. One thing I did notice, someone mentioned that it might not be getting enough light because it looked weak for it's age, is when I dug it up about three inches down was solid clay! The roots were extremely shallow, I'm really shocked it ever got as big as it did. Anyways I got some nutrient rich soil and replanted it. Hope to see some growth in the coming week. Here's the new setup.

[sunbiz1]

After all the time and effort into saving that plant, I hope you get some new shoots. You won't see anything for at least 2 weeks now that you've transplanted. Also, if you have not done so drill a few holes in the bottom of that bucket.

I used to think that plants needed a ton of space as well, but found I could get plants over 6' without any problems all the way through flowering etc.

Let me know if and when you see activity.

Regards,

Biz


Thanks for the confidence boost, I went ahead and followed your advice and transplanted it to a bucket with chicken wire for added protection. One thing I did notice, someone mentioned that it might not be getting enough light because it looked weak for it's age, is when I dug it up about three inches down was solid clay! The roots were extremely shallow, I'm really shocked it ever got as big as it did. Anyways I got some nutrient rich soil and replanted it. Hope to see some growth in the coming week. Here's the new setup.

[sadfarmer]

After all the time and effort into saving that plant, I hope you get some new shoots. You won't see anything for at least 2 weeks now that you've transplanted. Also, if you have not done so drill a few holes in the bottom of that bucket.

I used to think that plants needed a ton of space as well, but found I could get plants over 6' without any problems all the way through flowering etc.

Let me know if and when you see activity.

Regards,

Biz

Thanks for the support, I drilled about 5 holes around the perimeter 4in from the bottom then about 8 on the bottom with a 1/4 in. bit, drains well now but the soil hasn't really set. I figured if it gets too dry too quick I can always plug some of em. I will let you know for sure about growth. Thanks again man.