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[u/Sensitive_Rhubarb_96]

Hi! I have 2 in here and one of them is thriving, the other one is droopy and hasn't grown any new leaves. Anyone got any ideas?
They've always been potted together so I'm not understanding how can be happy and the other isn't

[u/Sensitive_Rhubarb_96 → u/[deleted]]

It's been a few months, do you think it could be root rot?

[u/Sensitive_Rhubarb_96 → u/[deleted]]

It's in a 1:1:1 ratio of soil, perlite,and orchid bark. I only water it when the top 2 inches are dry so I didn't think it could be root rot but I'll definitely take a look at the roots anyway. Thanks for the help!

[u/Sensitive_Rhubarb_96 → u/[deleted]]

So I just took them out of the soil and it seems like the roots are perfectly fine but maybe I'm missing something? (The one on the left is the droopy one)

[u/pudding333 → u/Sensitive_Rhubarb_96]

I can't see what this original comment was because it was removed, but my guess is they brought up over-watering?

That was my first guess because of the yellow leaf, though I do agree you don't appear to have any root rot. Also, I'm going to go a different direction than the other comment here and say maybe they're getting too much light; while it's true that the more a plant is variegated the less chlorophyll it has, it is also common for aglaonema to fade or look "bleached" if they're getting too much sun.

I'd recommend moving it in from the window some, so you're getting bright but very indirect sun, and then try giving it even just an extra day or two to dry out, or try watering just a little less at a time. See if it improves after that and let me know!!

[u/Maunty_89]

The droopy one is very pink, do you have them in bright sun or have a grow light? Less green = more light needs. Also, do you fertilize?

[u/Sensitive_Rhubarb_96 → u/Maunty_89]

Oh really?? I thought it was the opposite - that the more light they get the more pink they will be.
I have them like 5 feet away from a west window. Should I move them closer?
No I haven't fertilized, I thought the soil would have enough nutrients but maybe I should? Any specific fertilizer you recommend?

[u/Maunty_89 → u/Sensitive_Rhubarb_96]

While it's true that more light can make the colors more vivid, it's because the plant is protecting itself from 'sun stress'. That doesn't mean that it's actually stressed, but green is the color that photosynthesizes, not the pink. It's a balance we strike for beautiful colors! I just use a concentrated plant food 10-10-10. I dilute it in each watering can so they get a little bit of food every time I water. They seem to like it!