Plant Base Turned White

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chrism26 Manchester, United Kingdom Aug 31, 2013

Hi,
I have an indoor plant and it has grown considerably this summer, but the base has turned white, is this mould? Also the tips of the leaves look like they are burnt. Does the plant need re potting? Any advice appreciated.]

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Aug 31, 2013

Just looking at the pictures, that does not look like mold. I think it is salts from fertilizer. As the water is wicked up the outside of the plant it carries fertilizer and other things dissolved in the water. As the water evaporates it leaves these salts and minerals behind.
The key is this: Mineral deposits will not harm the plant. The trunk will still be as firm as is normal for that species. Fungi, mold or related problems suggests the plant is not doing well, and the trunk will be somewhat soft in the early stages, and may turn to mush as the plant dies.

The burned tips may also be from fertilizer/salt/mineral build up in the soil.

If this is the problem, then I would do this:
About once a month, soak the plant in distilled or reverse osmosis water. Dunk the whole pot into the water and hold it under water until it stops bubbling. Then let it sit there for half an hour to an hour. Then remove the pot and let it drain. The salts etc will get dissolved in the distilled water and flushed away.

If you are using any fertilizers, try half the recipe.

Post #9646980
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trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) Sep 01, 2013

another thing to consider is the plant itself, which i believe is this one: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/734/

they do not really need but a bit of feed once a year and they like to be kept on the dry side.

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