Southern Splendor.

Hello to everyone. Im new to this forum and have recently been taking interest in my garden. For the past couple of years ive transformed a mess ( my property was owned by an elderly couple who could not cope with the size) into something quite pleasing visually. Im by all means no expert. I learn from research.

I cant find much information on the care of a Southern Splendor plant. Last year I purchased a medium sized plant and planted it in a large container. It has grown well and is quite large now. The bottom leaves became loose and unsightly so i pulled them off the main ( only) stem. Is this correct? also, i water regularly and feed with a seaweed extract. Is this the cause of some browning to the pink leaves? Could i be over watering it?

Overall, its a great looking plant but was wondering what may be the cause of some browning of the leaves that appeared this year.

Any guidance would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

Welcome to the GC forums, dinp

Sorry, I have no experience of Southern Splendor, just wanted to welcome you to our community

I'm sure someone more experienced will pop in and offer advice.

 

Hello dinp and welcome to GC.

Your Southern Spendor is a Cordyline australis and it is natural for their lower leaves to yellow/dry out and it is correct for you to remove them, if only for the aesthetic value.

As I am not in the UK I cannot advise as to the exact care of them there but it would be useful to those who will come along to help you to know where you are located and in what aspect you are keeping the plant, ie, N/S/E/W, on the patio, in the conservatory, etc.

Overall, it seems like you are treating it correctly and good luck with continued success.

 

Not had a Southern Splendour, but have had Cordylines years ago and they are very drought tolerant. I didn't water mine much at all (this was before I got into gardening properly) and they thrived in pots.

How often are you feeding/watering them?

Whereabouts in the country are you?

It may be that if you've had a very wet summer like a lot of places have that it's had too much water.

 

Hi. Thank you for the replies. Im in the UK, south. I have the plant in a large container on the patio. The garden is south facing so it gets quite alot of sun. This summer, during the hotter days I have been watering everyday almost. weekly I water with some sea weed extract. Could I be overdosing as I think I might be adding a bit more to the water than the stated dose. It has grown into a very nice large plant, but the slight browning of some, not all, leaf edges made me wonder if a was doing something wrong. It even survived the winter snow which came unexpected, though I did place it in the garage when the snow was causing the leaves to bend down due to the weight of the snow. It recovered in the garage in a couple of day.

Thanks you, all.

 

Hello and welcome.

 

dinp to GC enjoy the time you spend here - lots of good tips and advice and the pics shared by other members are fantastic - have had to start 'a must' have list for my own garden!

 

The one thing worth noting is Cordyline southern splendor is likely to be much more tender than the standard C australis. If you live near the coast, put this one in the ground.. but if you live inland best to grow it in a pot, so you can drag it under shelter in the coldest weather. I'd say Cordyline southern splendor has roughly the same hardiness as red and variegated Cordylines.

If the browning of the leaves is the bottom leaves, then this is quite normal.. I wouldn't worry.

They can take drought, but prefers being kept moist.

Very easy to care for a trouble free to be honest.