Dead Cordyline

~Chameleon~

I've had a red Cordyline living in a large pot for the last 2 years. It lived on my patio most of that time, which only gets the sun from around 3pm onwards in the height of summer, none at all in winter. But I moved the pot to the bottom end of the garden this winter, to a more sheltered spot but on a south aspect so it got any sun going during winter/spring.

Over the last month I've watched the lower leaves turn brown and drop off, which i thought was normal at first, but it's slowly worked it's way up the entire plant to point that every leaf has now turned brown and dropped off

What did I do wrong? Should I have left it on my cold, sunless patio for the winter? And is there any point in keeping the "stump" in the hope it might regrow again?

Jayar

Oh dear, your poor cordyline. I only have the green ones, but I do know that the red ones aren't as hardy. I would advise you to knock it out of the pot and have a look at the roots. If they look as if they have died off then I'm afraid it's back to the garden centre for a replacement. But, if they have any life left in them, then it would be worth chopping quite a bit off the stump, the theory being that it will produce new leaves below where you have cut.
Good luck

~Chameleon~

Thanks, I'll have a look at the roots tomorrow and see if it can possibly be salvaged. I'm quite gutted to be honest as it was one of my favourite plants

I even wrapped up all the leaves during the frost/snow to try protect it but I'm wondering if maybe I inadvertantly trapped in some moisture, or overwatered it during the recent dry spell, as the stump feels rather damp and I wonder if the leaves actually rotted to death

Kay_Peel

It sounds as though it got soaking wet, with a bit of wind scorch. You may wonder why I sound so knowledgeable - it's because I've lost more of these beggars than I can tell you about!

One thing that I've learnt is that the purple one is less hardy than the green or the variegated ones - so it might have turned up its toes. But all is not lost. I've discarded cordylines a few times - only to find that they burst back into life when you are not looking.

Here's what you do. Cut off dying leaves close to the trunk - try not to pull them off with your fingers. Work a few trowels worth of sand (not builders sand - use the gritty stuff for gardens) into the top two inches of the pot. Put it somewhere dry - not near overhanging trees or anything that drips - where the wind can't get it. When the sun shines move the pot into the warmth. Ignore it until the end of July and, if you're lucky, it'll send up new growth.

During the winter I put my potted cordyline into a hessian sack, to keep the wind and rain off it. To be frank, it wasn't ideal - a bit dark for it. Last Sunday I got two fleece bag covers for pots (two for a pound at Poundland) and that's what I'll use that this autumn.

Believe me, I sympathise. :grouphug:

Kay

nodwah

Hmmm, I've got 2 variegated pinky yellowy greeny ones that were 50p saddoes from B&Q and they're now apparently dying from the centre, I thought it was maybe the hot dry April followed by the chilly last week or so that's gone for them, but I've nowhere to put them to perk them up really.

System

Assuming it's still in a pot, place it in a Wilkinsons bag and take it back. Say you've mislaid the receipt, but you've changed your mind and would like to change it. Yes I know it's dead, but they won't know any difference as many of those they sell are only fit for the compost heap.

Kay_Peel

Oh, I-Man That's one of your better early-morning-big-store-bashing-posts.

Kay

PS Off-topic. Wilkinsons were selling lettuce plants when I went last Sunday and they were a tray of differing varieties. When I took at a look I saw that they were sitting in pots of concrete. I exaggerate - the sandy soil had got a bit hard. I bet they'll be reduced the trays to 10p next Sunday - but by then it will be too late.:rolleyes: