Dracaenia Spike Plant

Discussion in 'Outdoor Tropicals' started by Nicki, May 10, 2008.

  1. Nicki

    Nicki Member

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    Squamish, BC Canada
    I live in Squamish BC Canada & have several of the above plants which have been left in the ground & planters over the Winter.They seem to still be alive but looking very weathered & sad with brown wilting spikes. I'm wondering if I can give them a haircut to remove all the wilted, dead & brown spikes etc. Normally they don't survive the Winter so I really don't want to damage them now by cutting them back. How can I clean these up. Thanks for your help.
     
  2. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    You can absolutely trim them back to the green stuff and they should be OK.
     
  3. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    USDA 9 plant freezing down at about 15-20F but often coming back from roots. Mild waterfront sites may have them keep their tops for years, form trunks with leaf rosettes at top.

    'Spikes' Dracaena is a made-up nursery name, botanically your plant is Cordyline australis. Use the latter name if doing anymore web searches for information about it.
     
  4. palmera

    palmera Active Member

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    Here's my cordyline after 6 years in the garden(top right hand corner). Now close to 12 feet tall. I do not know of any other big ones in my area. I continually peel off the lower, browned leaves. Be aware though, if you actually cut the top off it will likely start growing from the base.
     

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  5. palmera

    palmera Active Member

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    And a photo taken today...
     

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  6. DGuertin

    DGuertin Active Member 10 Years

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    I would never have imagined a garden like that *anywhere* in Canada.....
     
  7. LPN

    LPN Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Shhh...we're trying our best to keep it a secret. Gotta hook up soon palmera.

    Cheers, LPN.
     
  8. Tom24

    Tom24 Active Member

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    Beautiful Garden Palmera, How long does it take for a Dracaenia spike plant to grow that big? What kind of palm do you have growing by the rocks in front? What is the zone in BC Canada? Maybe I need to move North to grow a garden like that.

    Tom24
     
  9. palmera

    palmera Active Member

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    Thanks Tom, this Cordyline I estimate to be 10 years old. It was given to me by my father (in Chilliwack) 6 years ago when it had outgrown the largest pot he had, which happened to be his shop-vac canister! He had given it much TLC. It was 4 years old, 5 feet tall and it still had all it's leaves. He had been keeping it in his garage for the winters as they are often colder than where I am here (zone 8).

    As for the palm by the rocks, it was a Jubaea chilensis (chilian wine palm) and I say 'was', as sadly it did not make the winter. It was quite small but I had high hopes it might tough out the winter anyways. Oh well, another gardening opportunity!

    (LPN, soon I hope, but I have many travels upcoming. Mexico, Inuvik, Ottawa) Send me a note when you're down this way...
     

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