Cordline problem

[Lancstree]

My neighbor has asked me for advice on his palm(cordeline?) which seems to have pretty much died since the winter. There is a little bit of life in the apex and it is beginning to sprout all around the base. Any advice I can give him on the matter? Should we wait a bit longer and see what happens or cut it down to the base where the fresh growth is?

[Peter]

Looks like frost damage to me. I would cut it down, although it may recover.

 

In winter, tie the leaves up into a bunch with an elastic band, this stops water and snow gathering in the growing point and freezing.

[Gareth Dalzell]

Cut it down to the base where the new growth is. You'll probably find the stem is mostly mush

Edited June 30, 2010 by Gareth Dalzell
Spelling again

[Lancstree]

Will tell him that Peter. I've just done a little bit of forum research and some say that it may grow another head if you cut it lower. I think it was a green leaved one and I'm aware that the red leaved ones are less hardy.

[Bob Rolfe]

Cut all mine down cause they all jossed it in extactly the same way and I think probably the rest of the countries has as well cause I ain't seen many survive. seems to me there

Must be a business opportunity there some where !

[chaffey]

Have removed about a dozen of them this year. Hard winter for them. Have had a few which have sprouted from the base and are still going strong now i've removed the main trunk. That one will grow again:thumbup:

[Rupe]

They are not suited to our winters, especially last two years.

 

They need to be strapped up and wrapped in bubble wrap for the winter if they are to have a chance of surviving.

 

I got rid of two of mine this year and the other one last year, won't bother with them again.

[Lancstree]

Thanks for the advice. I reckon saw it down to the sprouting stuff and see what happens. When I squeezed the stem it did seem a little soft.