first time in 4 years it has done this.
Yes, you can propagate this from cutting quite easily. This website offers instructions on how to do this: https://www.hunker.com/13428562/how-to-grow-a-ti-plant-from-a-cutting
This article will give you more tips on the care of the plant: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ti-plant/growing-hawaiian-ti-plant-indoors.htm
I have a few cordylines and all of their leaves look dead. They have gone yellow and wilted. They get full sun . Are they dying? Should I cut the dying foliage off?
There are a few reasons that this can happen. The most common is that there is too much flouridation in the water for these plants. You will have to switch to distilled or RO water. This will more than likely eliminate your problem.
This article will give you more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ti-plant/growing-hawaiian-ti-plant-indoors.htm
my Cordyline australis has been damaged it has had a hand sized chunk taken out of it by an axe (kids) is there anything I can do to help it recover from the injury
Just wipe it with peroxide. By now, whatever could infect it has already gotten in. Usually, this will not be a big deal, though. IT will heal on its own, as long as it hasn't been "ringed" of a section of bark. That is, if there is continuity of bark from bottom to top.
If it is just an axe wedge, it will likely heal. Can you include a photo? This can help me to see the damage and help you a little better.
I have 2 large cordalines in 2 large pots. I have just bought some stones that I want to top dress the pots with but in the past the compost mixes in with the stone and they are never to be see again. What can I use on the top of the soil to stop stones from getting mixed into compost. I was wondering if a large square of plant fleece would stop the mixing but still allow water to get to the plant. I think the fleece will end up sinking. The stones I have bought are glow in the dark stones as I think these should look great with the red cordalines at night. Any ideas please.
The stones should not sink unless the plant is being overwatered. They will, usually sit on top. If they do start getting buried in, you may look towards watering with bottom watering pots, or watering in such a way as to not disturb the soil.
Furthermore, have care when placing stones on top. This will make it more difficult to tell when the soil is dry down to 2 or 3 inches. You should not water again until it is completely dry down to this depth. You may have to remove the stones in an area to check every few days or so.
This article will give you proper care of these plants: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ti-plant/growing-hawaiian-ti-plant-indoors.htm
Please help..my cordyline plant which I have had about 5 yrs and is about 6ft tall has died..the crown is dead and all the leaves are just about off..can I cut the cordyline to try and get it back to life and if so, it has an extremely thick bark, so how would I do this?..is it now too late in the year? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Laura
It may be too late to resurrect this plant. Whatever killed it, possibly crown rot, you don't want to spread to any other plants, so I would discard this and start over with a new healthy one.
This plant has been in the pot too long. Since it is putting out roots much further up the stem, is it okay to plant it deeper than the current soil level?
This appears to be a Cordyline. I would not replant deeper into the soil This will cause more problems than it is worth. They will do this in very humid environments, and will often lose the adventitious roots once the humidity breaks. These can grow quite tall, and will only, usually, have growth on the top.
Here is an article that will help with general Cordyline care, though the cultivar that you have is a little more cold tolerant: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ti-plant/growing-ti-plants-outdoors.htm
They are about two years old and have formed multiple trunks. They are too tall now. We prefer them to be around 4 feet tall. Will we have to start over with new ones and keep them trimmed?
Pruning these plants will be very straightforward. You can prune them to any height that you would like, since they will grow new tops.
This article will be for its closest relative, Cordyline australis, which has the same care requirements: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ti-plant/red-star-dracaena-care.htm