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Cordyline from the ashes

nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
in Problem solving
Last year I chopped down a cordyline which appeared completely dead.  In fact, it was, by then, just a tall stump.
As I was out picking up rubbish earlier from behind the pond, I noticed it seems to be shooting again, but lots of straggly leaves. The central dead stump is covered in wood lice!

Is there anything I can do to help it on its way, at all?


Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    If you see wood lice that part is dead. I would wait for now you will have a better idea of what is going on as we move into spring. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I can't see any new shoots, but if there are some there, all you can do is wait.  :)
    You can cut off the dead leaves - they're not doing anything helpful now. A sharp pair of scissors is better for that than secateurs. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    Morning! Thank you!

    So it used to be about 4 foot tall. Those leaves at the bottom seem to be growing off out above the roots, and below the rotted original trunk. There seems to be three. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They will often send up new shoots not directly from the trunk, so just see how they go. There's not much else you can do at this stage. If conditions stay suitable for it, it should come away again. Fingers crossed for you   :)

    I still can't see the new shoots but maybe I need to go to Specsavers  ;)
    Is that one just above and to the left of your foot?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    So I have cut the leaves back and cut the stump lower 
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I would leave the dead leaves, fold them over the crown of the stump as frost protection. Wait until Spring to see if there is any life.
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    It looks like the central crown of those shoots has died off from the cold. These are cut back by severe cold and they can resprout from lower down and I think it's the same with these newer growths but it has less chance than with a big central trunk because they are more tender. 
    Cordylines have a extremely deep tap root if grown in the ground and even if the top is completely cut back, as long as it doesn't turn to mush, there is always a chance it will regrow. The coloured cordylines are less hardy than the normal green ones. 
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