Posts: 4050
From: The Boundless
Registered: Mar 2003

posted October 27, 2004 09:51 AM         

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I have a big, beautiful lilly. Not calla, the more common type with the sort of half-moon flowers. I've had it a long time.

It started to stink. Really badly. I thought perhaps there was a mold on the pot, so I took the plant out, and scrubbed the pot.

Now, the plant was very root-bound. It's really big. Getting it back in the pot with all fresh dirt wasn't easy, and meant that some of the roots were damaged or torn.

So...now the plant is struggling. It may be a goner. But worse...the stink is back. And I can smell it when I'm not even close.

Could a cat have peed in it? I suppose...but there's no real easy access to the plant for a cat, and I've seen no sign of a cat being in it. And it doesn't smell like a litter box.

So I might have to sacrifice what was once such a beautiful plant, even if its health improves, because I can't stand the odor.

Any suggestions?

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Posts: 25242
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted October 28, 2004 11:25 AM         

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Wish I could help.

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 38
From: urban,NH,USA (sometimes other worlds) ;)
Registered: Oct 2004

posted October 28, 2004 05:41 PM         

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Hey Trillian,

You say the plant is root bound, and you stuffed it back into the same pot?
The stink thing has happened to me in the past.. It was a long time ago, but I think the roots may be rotting. Does it smell like rotting veggies maybe? Try getting all the old dirt out and Putting it in a bigger pot with new dirt.

Woops, you said you put new dirt in...All new dirt? or just some?

If you rinse the old dirt off the roots, maybe you could tell if they are decomposing.

Just a thought...

oh yea, try not to over water it.
I am sure these are things that you probably thought of, good luck.

"If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people."

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Posts: 25242
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted October 29, 2004 01:36 PM         

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 351
From: rainsville,AL, north american atlantean nation
Registered: Nov 2001

posted October 29, 2004 09:21 PM         

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my guess is it wants(wanted?) a buddy ...maybe a delphinium, and a white lily. is the one you have a white lily? shamrocks are great, too, it might boost it energetically

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Posts: 4050
From: The Boundless
Registered: Mar 2003

posted November 01, 2004 08:46 AM         

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Thank you for all the suggestions...my plant is still stinky and I'm not sure it will make it.

Most of the dirt is new--there was some dirt on the roots that stayed. But I did not notice the stink on the roots when I changed the dirt.

batgirl, yes, it's a white lilly, and it's had a companion nearly its whole life. A very huge, oh darn, not sure how you spell it! Cheflera? Shaflera? There's also a cute little shamrock just across the room.

Thank you very much for all the well wishes.

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Posts: 6794
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Mar 2002

posted November 01, 2004 09:10 AM         

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Hi Trillian

Sounds like you have a Peace Lilly(spathiphyllum) in need of dividing.

You can loosen the root ball, pruning all signs of dead away with a very sharp knife.

Soak the ball in lukewarm water until all the soil is removed. When cleaned, carefully with the knife, divide the ball into healthy clumps. Repot into well draining soil.

How are the four legged babies doing

love,

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If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. ~James Herriot

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Posts: 25242
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted November 02, 2004 01:24 PM         

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Juni to the rescue!

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 4050
From: The Boundless
Registered: Mar 2003

posted November 03, 2004 09:05 AM         

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Thank you so much Juni.

It's supposed to be chilly this weekend, but with luck it will be warm enough to once again take the plant out of its pot and clean it, as you advised. It's just too big to do it in the apartment. And yes, I do beleive it is a peace lilly.

Many, many thanks.

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Posts: 6794
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Mar 2002

posted November 03, 2004 08:53 PM         

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Trillian, let us know how she is doing

Love,

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If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. ~James Herriot

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Posts: 25242
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted November 05, 2004 12:40 PM         

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Did everything turn out okay?

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 4050
From: The Boundless
Registered: Mar 2003

posted November 07, 2004 07:54 PM         

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Well...today was a lovely day so I took her (the plant) outside and did as you advised.
We'll see how she does over the next few days.

All the critters are very well, thanks so much for asking. I've been giving Boris some coconut oil, and it seems to be helping him.

Thanks again for your advice.

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Posts: 6794
From: Blue Star Kachina
Registered: Mar 2002

posted November 22, 2004 11:28 PM         

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Trillian, how is she doing?

Love,

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If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. ~James Herriot

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Posts: 4050
From: The Boundless
Registered: Mar 2003

posted November 24, 2004 11:13 AM         

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Not well, Juni...thanks for asking. It's likely that I accidentally damaged her roots.

I've tried to encourage her, but she is dying. So big and beautiful, I will miss her if she doesn't pull through.

Thank you for all your help.

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Posts: 25242
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted November 24, 2004 04:38 PM         

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Do you own a purple plate? Energize the water for an hour each day, and lay the purple plate on the dirt near the roots.

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 25242
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted November 25, 2004 09:17 AM         

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Purple plates work better for plants than us humans.

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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Posts: 4050
From: The Boundless
Registered: Mar 2003

posted November 25, 2004 01:10 PM         

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Randall!
That's Brilliant!

Now why didn't that occur to me?

I will put the plate on her or beneath her as soon as I get home this evening.

Thank you, sweet man.

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