"Bella" wrote in message
...

"Neil" wrote in message
...
Bella,

Often plants, esp. woody plants, through up suckers when the plant is
suffering in the main stems/leaves. These are often the plant's
insurance
that it's genes will continue in the pool. You could try repotting the
hole
root ball. As you do clean the compost away and see if you can separate
the
new suckers/shoots with some healthy roots. This will allow you to get
several plants and reduce the chances that, if a disease is harboured in
the
compost, the new plants will suffer.

Thank-you. Further to that... should I clear away the dead material that's
still hanging on at the base of the plant (above the root ball) or should
I
just leave it and put up with the unsightly base?

B.


It is worth tidying up in case any nasties are lurking. If you are to
separate the plant, loose the old growth entirely.
Neil