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CornPlant


Question
Thank you so much for your prompt response.  You're a life savor. My husband laughed at me about the size of my "tree" it's 22 inches or so and it's in a 20 inch round pot.  (Not good w/feet, too funny) Well my next question is should I repot it or leave it be?  And to answer your question it has three bark like stalks and leaves all the way down one bark and out of the top of the other two barks. Four green stalks all together.  Now when I cut it down do I use siscors? Or pull it out w/my hand? So not good w/this stuff.  And if I understand right once I top it off it will grow back?  Do I have to put anything on the spot that I cut it from?  You must really be laughing at me about now.  Thank you again.  Your help is sooo appreciated.  I'm sending some pics to your email addy.
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Followup To

Question -
I have a 30 ft cornplant in my family room it faces the eastern window of my home.  The plant is over 15 years old and this is only the second time it has bloomed.  The first time was about 12 years ago.  Since that time I repotted the plant and this is the first bloom.  I noticed in your response to someone else that it was said it has to be rootbound to bloom?  Is that true?  I was thinking about repotting it again as it is so large and thought it may be rootbound again.  Are these plants okay to be rootbound? Also I need to take the top out of one of the stalks as it is curving now on our ceiling (their high) Do I just pull out the very top of the plant to stunt the growth or can I go down a little further w/it.  Additionally, can I replant what I pull out of the plant.  I'm sorry for so many questions this is actually the first thing I have not killed and I don't want to harm it w/my usual black thumb.  Thank you so much and I apologize if I have overwhelmed you w/all the quest.  Meredith

Answer -
Meredith,

You have some tall ceilings! What is the diameter of the pot it is in? I have to ask are there leaves all the way to the bottom of the plant or just at the top?

Yes it needs to be rootbound to bloom and it is okay for it to be rootbound.

It is best to prune it in the spring but it can be done now. First go to a garden center and buy some rooting hormone, Lowes, Walmart, Home Depot all carry it, it comes in a small plastic bottle. You can cut the plant down as far as you would like to. In fact I would reccommend that you cut each stalk in half so it has plenty of room to grow again.

You can then cut the part that you cut off into 3 foot sections, keeping track of which end of each section was toward the ground. If there are leaves on the sections remove the 2-3 lowest leaves. If it is bare stalks that is okay too, they will still root. Then dip the lower part of each section into the rooting hormone and insert that into a new pot of soil and firm the soil around the stalks. You may need several pots of soil if you cut a lot off. Do not use pots larger than 12 inch pots. Do not try to root sections longer than 36 inches. Do not put more than 5 cuttings per pot. Most should root but a few may not. It will take awhile this time of year, they would root sooner in the spring. Be patient. Set the pots in the same light that the parent plant is getting. Water them the same as you do the parent plant. Good luck.

Darlene  

Answer
Meredith,

I have not yet received your pictures. Your corn plants do not need repotted, a 20 inch pot is plenty big enough. Yes it will grow back if you prune it. You should not cut it all the way down to the soil line, do not cut it more than in half. I would cut it off with a good pair of sharp scissors or a sharp knife. No, you do not need to put anything on the cut, just let it dry. If you have more questions write again. Good luck.

Darlene

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