Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Transplanting a mature cordyline?

greatnorthernexoticgreatnorthernexotic Posts: 119
in Plants
I've been offered a mature (roughly 2m tall) cordyline by a friend for my garden. Everything I've read tells me they're notoriously difficult to move, with a deep taproot etc. So my question is: is it worth trying?

My friend wants rid of the cordyline either way, so is it worth going to the effort of attempting to move it? And if so, how can I increase the chances of it surviving? 
Growing tropical and desert plants outdoors in West Yorkshire
INSTAGRAM/ YOUTUBE

Posts

  • D0rdogne_DamselD0rdogne_Damsel Posts: 4,184
    I tried desperately to move one but just couldn't get to the bottom of the root. It is still looking positively unwell (probably dead) 6 weeks later. 2m is a very big plant, mine was less than a metre, but I think the root must have been the same length underground. 

    As in all things like this, you've got 2 chances. Good luck. 
    • “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We had one that decided it didn't like growing in the area we had it.
    It suffered and eventually we dug it up and replanted it in another part of the garden.
    It did take some years before it said thank you and now is a very robust plant.
    It is always worth a go especially if somebody is going to get rid of the plant.
    You have nothing to loose as it is a freebi.
  • InglezinhoInglezinho Posts: 568
    edited April 2021
    No, resents any form of root damage. It is, however, contra-intuitively, relatively easy to grow to from a big cutting. Cut a stem off near the base of the leaves and pot it up in a sandy mix. Keep almost dry for the first couple of months and in semi-shade. Don't water or only in a saucer at the bottom, until you see new leaves. Good luck!
    Everyone likes butterflies. Nobody likes caterpillars.
Sign In or Register to comment.