Question
My wife was told she could cut off our very tall corn plant, re-plant the top and the base would sprout.
1.  Is that true?
2.  Where and when will the sprouts occur?  The old one had 3 evenly spaced sprouts around the rim of the cut.  Are those grafted in or is there some way to encourage sprouts in certain positions?

Answer
Hi Jerry,

There is no way to get new stems to grow from the thick, bark-covered cane. Those stems are not grafted, but they were grown in a greenhouse environment at the time the canes were rooting.

However, you can sometimes get new growth from healthy stems that are cut back to a height of at least 4 inches. New growth emerges just below the point on the stem where you make the cut. The cut off tops can be rooted in water or damp potting mix.

I have written an article on Corn Plant care and propagation that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com