Hate to say it, but I'm came here looking for a ...
...closet botanist.
Have a plant now for about 13 years which, when I purchased it, consisted of 5 small individual 'trunks'...not touching, but in a tiny plastic container.
I've re-potted it a couple of time and the stalks have reached a height of 3.5 to 4 feet.
And here it is now....
![](http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n151/hagemangroup/3_zpsphrjnmvo.jpg)
Problem is that over the years, I've discovered that the new stems growing off the stalks become inhibited or sorts whenever the 'baby' leaves come into contact with mature leaves.
![](http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n151/hagemangroup/1_zpspv7v3gm3.jpg)
As a result, it's more in the shape of a tall bush...which is fine...but I'm going to now re-pot it into a very large pot that will sit on the floor instead of on a wrought iron decorative base.
My thinking was to pull apart the roots...or cut them apart so that I end up with a plant that for the most part, allows all new growth to flourish with "no contact" with other leafy stems from one of the other 4 trunks.
Will I end up killing it? It would break my heart, as it's "special". Should I maintain it by putting the root ball into a larger pot and simply walk away?
Any advice?