How to save my cordyline?

[Ultranol]

Hello everyone,

I have recently acquired a garden so thought I would try my hand for the first time at gardening. I got a cordyline, but it appears to be dying - the leaves are turning brown and dying even now that it is warmer.

I have attached a photo (it actually looks worse in real life - all the leaves have some brown on them, and a look are really drooping) - can anyone offer any advice? The tree is in a mostly sunny area of the garden and I have been watering it every couple of days...its been going brown since I got it about a month ago.

Thanks in advance.

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[Fred Williams]

This may help..

"Growing Cordylines"

Fred

[gardenlen]

g'day ultranol,

so far it is only the older leaves tht are dying. but it looks to me as if it is root bound or could be and the plant is suffering lack of nutrients, so under these conditions it will shed leaves to try and create a balance.

that pot is a little small for the stature of the plant, so simply buy a bigger pot and pot it on adding in some good slow release fertiliser, be sure to use a good grade potting mix.

alternatively of course if you need to keep it in that size pot? tip the plant from the pot, cut off app 1/4 of 2 opposing sides of teh root ball, and cut off 1/4 to 1/3 off the bottom of teh root ball then repot it adding new potting mix into teh bottom first then the sides tamp the mix down a bit i use my fingers to prevent as much settling as possible.

the best method now is to stand pot in a container that will hold enough water to go to the top of the pot not over and let it soak for up to 24hours, keeping topping the water up to keep the height in the pot a soil level.

they do like full sun and will handle drought conditions when planted in the garden so you can let the pot dry a little between waterings, but give it good sun.

when i do any potting of plants i always tamp the mix down so it doesn't settle as much no setlement at all is fine for me.

keep us informed please

On Sun, 25 Apr 2010 13:11:59 -0400, Ultranol wrote: snipped