Cordyline - How to treat 'suckers'

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Dave W, Nov 19, 2010.

  1. Dave W

    Dave W Total Gardener

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    My pet cordyline died last winter due to the severe weather. In March I sawed off the top and just on the off-chance left the stump in-situ. Today to my immense delight and surprise I discovered four shoots have grown.
    Questions -

    1. What are the chances of successfully detaching one or more of the shoots and potting up prior to transplanting?

    2. If I leave all four shoots to grow, will I end up with an unattractive plant and would progressive removal be the best option?

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  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Personally Dave I'd just go for the one shoot and try the other three for propagation.

    But at this time of the year I'd do nothing except be ready to cover it on really cold nights, then try removing the three suckers in late spring next year.
     
  3. Kristen

    Kristen Under gardener

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    Vague recollection that Cordylins that suffer a serious Winter and then put on a bit of growth then tend to snuff it subsequently. If that's the case [please don't trust my memory!] then trying some for Propagation and leaving one to refill the space if lady-luck is on your side, might be prudent.

    But I sympathise as mine looks like yours too!
     
  4. Dave W

    Dave W Total Gardener

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    Many thanks Pete & Kristen.

    I reckon I'll just tuck it up snugly for winter and then try some reduction and propagation when things start to move. I think I'll leave two shoots growing to start with and reduce to one once I'm convinced they are both healthy.

    Whatever the outcome I've nowt to lose as I though the plant was a gonner anyway!
     
  5. Tropical_Gaz

    Tropical_Gaz Gardener

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    The only thing to add is that the coloured cordylines are not as hardy as the plain green, so whilst you may get it to re-grow, the next time we get a cold winter you will be back to square one.
     
  6. whis4ey

    whis4ey Head Gardener

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    Yip ... the red variety is liable to suffer most in the case of frosts, so should be well 'happed up' to have any chance of survival
    I don't think you will have any success with trying to remove and grow on the shoots (just a personal feeling ... nothing to substantiate the idea) and for that reason I would leave all to grow on where they are. I have found that two or three growing together like that can be very attractive as they mature :)
     
  7. Loofah

    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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    Exact same thing happened to mine last year and the plant finally gave up the ghost mid summer. Take the propagation you think you should but the main plant will almost definitely die.
     
  8. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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    It looks like a lot of us have had their cordylines decimated. Mine suffered the same fate in the winter of 2009 and I, like others, left it to see if it would recover. It recovered giving out three new separate growths.
    The only problem was that when I tried to divide it the main root body was huge and had the consistency of concrete. I decided to let it be and the resulting plant is better than when it was just a single growth. If you're going to divide it you'll need something substantial for the job! Mine is still outside as the pot is too big to get in the Greenhouse and is covered in fleece, with the pot in sacking to protect it from the ravages of the winter. Good luck with yours!!
     
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