Janet Baraclough wrote:
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from DerbyshireDales
contains these words:


Hi
We replanted a cordyline 2 weeks ago taken from our neighbours garden
over the road. Our soil is no different to our neighbours and the new
location is south facing, similar to the old. It is about 4 feet tall
with 2 foot long leaves extending and was in good condition when we
planted it except that the roots were tiny. There were lots of them
but non were longer than 2 inches so we planted it to a depth of
about 18 inches to cover all these thin and short roots. We watered
it in heavily but the same evening the plant started to bend near
the top and the leaves all started to droop. We have supported it
with some twine but its only getting worse and the leaves are
loosing their green and have brown tips. My mother is sure we should
be watering it everyday with about 3 buckets of water. We thought
that might waterlog it so it has had 3 doses of my mothers watering
and we've given it a bucket on a couple more occasions spread over
the 2 weeks. Its on a the top of a steep bank (heading down to the
road) with shrubs of equal size on each side but open to the bank
side and garden side. Can anybody advise what we can do to save this
mature plant as it is clearly not surviving?

The leaves are doomed anyway and putting too much stress on the
minimal roots. Saw the trunk off about 6" above ground level. With
luck, new shoots will develop next year, and you'll have a mutistemmed
cordyline. One I did the same way last summer (also dug up from
neighbour's garden) has three new shoots from the base atm.

Janet.

Ouch!! Isn't that a bit drastic at this stage?? I've transplanted a Cordy a
couple of times without too much trouble. I'd support it with a stout stake
either side, a foot or so away, and a cross piece at the height where the
leaves start. Secure the trunk to the crosspiece. A good soaking with a
bucket once a week should be fine. One time when mine looked poorly, I fed
it seaweed extract once a week...........seemed to work.
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