On my travels around Birmingham and the Black Country, I’ve come across several multi trunked specimens of Cordyline Australis.
I’ve had a closer look at a couple of these C.A’s to see whether the multi trunks are natural or whether they’re the result of the “Hand of Man”.
Although I’m no expert, I’ve come to the conclusion that they’re either a quirk of nature or they’re the result of damage to the growing point at some time in their life, possibly from frost.
However they were formed, I rather like them, so I decided to grow one for myself.
So, if you fancy a C.Australis with three or four trunks read on.
First thing to do is to buy your plant.
It doesn’t need to be huge, a small one with an inch or two of trunk is fine.
The technique I used is a variation of one known as stooling and it’s very easy, it just takes courage.
(People of a nervous disposition should get someone to do it for them.)
Now take a pair of secateurs and cut straight through the stem leaving about an inch or so intact. (See Photo)
Dust the cut with Sulpher and that’s it.
Although this can be done at anytime, its best done in the spring as this will give you several months of growth.
New buds will form around the top of the stem and this is the time to decide how many trunks you want, three or four look good.
Try to pick good strong buds which are evenly spaced around the stem then remove any that you don’t need.
Grow on in a pot, feeding heavily with high nitrogen fertilizer during the growing season.
When large enough, plant it out and be the envy of your friends. Posted by: Mike.