Question
QUESTION: I have one of these cane plants/trees and it's about 10 feet tall now....and that's about the height of my ceiling. My question is, can I trim this tree (to make two different trees) in order to accomodate the height of my ceiling...without killing it?  It only has one single shaft/root, and it's starting to lean from the weight.

what can i do without harming my plant?

Leigh

ANSWER: Hi Leigh,

Yes, Massangeana canes can be pruned back without harm if it is done properly. I am assuming that your plant has a thick cane that is about 4-5 tall and then a single more slender stem growing from the top of that and it has reached the ceiling. What I don't know is how much bare stem you have between the top of the cane and the lowest leaves on the growing stem.

If you can email a photo to me at [email protected], that would be the best way for me to help you.

Will Creed



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for answering so quickly, Will.  Yes, the cane is probably about 3-4 ft tall. I have emailed photos to your address.  I look forward to hearing what I can do.  Let me know if the pics are good enough for you to make an assessment.  by the way, the cane extends down to almost the bottom of the pot.

Leigh
ANSWER: Hi Leigh,

Thanks for the photos. They are just fine.

Your Dracaena fragrans massangeana is not the cane type. The cane type has a much thicker base stem that has no leaves except at the very top. So its a good thing you sent the photos.

I would recommend that you prune off the top 3 feet of your corn plant. That will give it a couple of years of growing room as new growth will emerge just below the point on the stem where you make the pruning cut. You can cut it even lower if you prefer to have a shorter plant now and more growing room for later.

Where you prune will only affect the appearance of the plant and the health of the plant.

The pruned off portion can be rooted in water or moist soil.

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

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Will,
Ok...thought i had one type but had another?  yes, i guess the photos did help?

So, what you are saying is for me to cut of the top 3 ft or so of my plant, yes?  Then, I can put the cut off portion in either water or soil and that portion will grow roots and continue to grow as a separate plant?  Do i simply place it in another pot with soil?  Being that it has just been cut and replanted, do I need to place it in direct light or indirect?  do i water it more in the beginning or just keep the soil moist?

Thamks so much for your help.  you have helped me to keep my favorite plant alive and well.

Leigh
ANSWER: Yes, you have it all right. If you want to put it into its own pot, then be sure to use a fairly small terra cotta pot that is maybe 6 inches in diameter. Use a damp peat-based potting mix that you water whenever the top inch feels dry. Provide the same light it is now getting because that is what it is already adapted to.

Le me know if you have further questions.

~Will



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Will.  One more question...am I right in assuming that the other option is to replant the top section in the same pot with the rest of the tree?

thanks again..your advice is much appreciated.

Leigh

Answer
Yes, that is another option. However, you have a lot of leaves at the bottom of the existing plant that might block a lot of light to an additional plant and also make the plant look crowded visually. But, horticulturally, there is no reason why you cannot do that.

~Will