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, 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 Reviewed by sadfarmer on 09-08-2009. Broken Stalk Emergency 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, 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 Rating: 5

[Greenthing]

i think that if there are some branches left on it would regenerate but it would take a long time to do.:hippy:

[headshake]

if there are leaves still on the rootside of the break then you have a chance. if not, then sorry charlie.

even if it does re-veg you probably wouldn't get anything worthwhile from it as you only have a couple of months 'til harvest. you might get something though, including experience.

also, it looks like that plant needs more light. it's pretty small for three months. is it getting direct sunlight?


-shake

[sadfarmer]

Yeah lots of sunlight about 13hrs a day but it was burning it, not enough water. We've been extremely dry this summer so for a while it kinda went dormant. You can see how it started getting stronger on the upper third cuz of recent rain and humidity.

[NeverEnough]

the broken stalk might re root if you plant it again - you can use the rooting gel to help.- will take like 2 and a half weeks to get a good rooting system.

id get the gel and plant it in a pot. then move the plant elsewhere so you wont get a another heartbreak.

[sadfarmer]

the broken stalk might re root if you plant it again - you can use the rooting gel to help.- will take like 2 and a half weeks to get a good rooting system.

id get the gel and plant it in a pot. then move the plant elsewhere so you wont get a another heartbreak.

I took another route I've commonly read about, because of the recent rain I looked at the stalk again and decided to try and splint the best parts of it in to the main trunk. Here's some before and afters. the leaves and nodes are wilted but I'm hoping the trunk is strong enough to push nutrients. Lemme know what y'all think.

[sadfarmer]

the broken stalk might re root if you plant it again - you can use the rooting gel to help.- will take like 2 and a half weeks to get a good rooting system.

id get the gel and plant it in a pot. then move the plant elsewhere so you wont get a another heartbreak.

That seems to be the best advice people are giving me, so today I went ahead and transplanted it to a bucket and caged it with chicken wire. 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. So I went and got some nutrient rich soil, on the advice of my landscaping friend, and gave her a new home. I hope to see some growth this week. Here she is in her new apartment.