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Is this due to root rot? Temps? Or something else? Leaves have been curling down due a few weeks, and now they are starting to droop and dieback quickly over the last few days. There is some new growth still though. Do I need to uproot it and check / cut roots?
Not sure if it's an exact match, but make sure there are no little flies moving around when you interact with the plant. If so they may be fungus gnats, the larva of which eat at the roots and cause dieback like this. Currently getting rid of an epidemic of them in my house.
Yes, I do have fungus gnats! Thank you for helping me put it together.
Do you think there's a chance they have spread some fungus into the roots themselves and infected the plant already? I guess my first course of action is to deal with the gnats though. I'm thinking beneficial nematodes.
As far as I know they don't spread fungi, but the adults feed on it- they like moist soil for that reason. I have found short-term success with a combo of liberal use of Neem oil, sprinkling cinnamon in soil to control any fungus, and putting out water/soap/apple cider vinegar dishes near the affected plants (picked all the bis up from articles online). I don't know if this will translate into long-term control though!
I've had good luck with a product from Gardens Alive - I'm not sure if it was exactly this but was similar: https://www.gurneys.com/product/knock-out-gnats-trade-granules
As is typical for Gardens Alive, it's expensive; you maybe able to find something equivalent for less.
I’ve found that adding an inch of fine aquarium gravel on top of the soil and again in the drainage trays (enough to cover the drainage holes) eliminates gnats in a week or two.
Does the pot feel lighter than it should? Does the pot have good drainage? If the answer to both is yes, you should let the pot sit in a container of water for several hours. Potting soil can dry out to the point where it is very slow to absorb water, meaning the water will run out the bottom of the pot before it has a chance to be absorbed.
If the pot does not have good drainage or it feels heavier than it should, it's possible the soil has too much water in it. Correct the drainage issue and the extra water will fix itself.
I know what I'm asking is very subjective, but hopefully it makes sense. You can also stick a finger into the soil to the second knuckle to see how dry it is. Let us know what you find either way.
I repotted the plant last year in a massive pot that takes 2 people to lift, so it's hard to tell by weight.
The soil seems damp but not wet. I watered yesterday. I drilled a hole in the bottom of the pot when I repotted, and water does seem to drain onto the saucer underneath the pot.