20 Year Old & Rootbound

This plant has been living in the same spot for eight years just growing longer and becoming more tangled. Even when we moved in, I couldn't get it out of its seashell hanger that I bought at a roadside stand. As far as I can remember, I got this plant in college which makes it about 20 years old. Dear god, 20 year old tropical plant!

Do plants have a natural lifespan?

Well, if so, this one is geriatric. It started to have a few yellow leaves, which was unusual so it was obviously time to repot it. And of course, I had to 1) get past the foliage to even find the damn hanger rod, 2) shake it our ruthlessly and spend 30 minutes trying to untangle it, 3) cut the seashell hanger apart just to get it out.

I couldn't get it all the way untangled, but once I had it somewhat stretched out it was over 20 feel long. After some fresh soil, fertilizer and cutting off some roots it seems a little happier. If nothing else, all the dead bits are off, it's in a new metal hanger and just as tangled as it was before. Oh well. Once all the leaves turn out toward the light, it will look fresh and fluffy.

Light Therapy

My giant ficus does really well and usually doesn't have any leaf drop, which they are known for. Except when its a long dark winter. Then it gets unhappy. So, emergency light therapy is in order. Bright light, daily turning and it seems a wee bit happier.