HELP @#%@#$ Bubba Needs Your Help !!

[UberSharky]

Oh my gosh...Im so sad....I just bought a gorgeous Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana' and was so excited to because I was looking to buy one for a while and I found this great one. Anyway, I live in Colorado, and the day I bought it, it was super cold and snowing. To make a long story short, I covered the plant with garbage bags and had to transport it in the trunk of my car, which meant the plant was standing straight up in the snow and cold. Half way home, the garbage bags flew off...etc. etc... Now its been about 5 days since I brought "Bubba" home and he's not doing well. Just about all his leaves are brown and dying. Did I kill Bubba? Should I take him back? Is he going to recover, or is he gone for ever? Anything I can do for him? PLZZZZZ help, Bubba's existence is on the line. :( :(

[Newt]

Hi UberSharky,
So sorry to hear of Bubba's cold journey home. If he doesn't recover in a few weeks, I'd say he's a goner. I don't think the store will give you a refund or a new Bubba, but it's worth a try. These plants don't like temps below 50*. :cry:

If you do get a new one, try a warmer day and put the new Bubba inside the vehicle. You could take a small blanket to wrap him in and put a plastic bag over him and lay him down inside the vehicle.

Good luck,
Newt

[UberSharky]

Thanks so much for the reply Newt. Well, I gave him a clean hair cut (more like a buzz cut :? ) and cut off all his brown leaves. Bubba has three main stalks, and the top of the two longer ones took the biggest hit and all their leaves were brown so I cut them off. (I cut the leaves off, not the main branch ). The other two have shorter stalks and their lower leaves have been spared and doing well. So Im thinking that Bubba's roots and internal organs are still working. So, is that to say that the brown leaves that I cut off will be replaced? Also, I bought Bubba from Home Depot :lol: and they told me they will take him back up to a year from when I bought it. Mighty generous they are over at Home Depot.

Again, many thanks for your reply Newt. Bubba loves you. :P

[Newt]

Hi Uber Sharky,

By the way, you may need to cut the top of the stalk if you notice it start to shrivel from dieback. Just use a sharp knife and make a straight cut. You should get new growth from near the top in two or three months, maybe even longer. You'll have to be patient, but if the roots are ok as you have described, then Bubba should make a good recovery and have new leaves.

I had to laugh when you said "Bubba loves you." Give him a hug from me!
Newt