I only bought canes also but mine came with leaves. It looks like the little leaf sheathes point up towards the top.


Hope this helps.

Yes, on the thinner ones it is not hard to tell; but I have some very solid fat canes of the common Ti and there are no leaf sheaths left..

Hmmm, maybe peel some sheaths from the thinner ones and see if there is any pattern underneath that would give you a hint.

An alternative would be to plant the cane or a piece of the cane horizontally and you could get a lot of plants that way as they would sprout all along the stick. Sort of like you would do with sugar cane if you have ever planted it.

I don't think it matters, they used to sell "Ti logs," with no indication. Plant them horizontally? I looked at my trunks and don't see how I would know which end was which where there's no leaf debris left, and no taper from one end to the other.

I've planted some horizontally, if your logs are long enough to cut a piece off, it is a fun experiment. Just lay it on the surface and gently push it into the soil. Does not have to be covered but the bottom half should be in contact with the soil.

Thanks everyone! I am still waiting to see if Scot has a suggestion.

Dutchlady1 said:@ScotTi - I only bought canes from this company figuring I can root them easily myself. One set came with leaves but the others were just sticks and I can't tell which way is up Any help??

Hetty,
Usually this seller has top written on the top end of the log. But I have purchased from another seller who doesn't mark the logs. In this case hold the log in a vertical position and run your fingernail lightly down the log from the top. Did you feel a little resistance? If not turn the log on the opposite end and repeat process. If you felt a little resistance on the way down from the top that is the end you want up. If you are not sure of how you think the resistance should feel just go outside and do it to a plant you have growing in the garden on the upper leafless part of the cane. This works unless the log was from a older part of the plant and the leaf scars are no longer pronounced to the feel. In this case root the log in horizontally. Root the horizontal log in soil covered 1/8- 1/4 inches. When I root the logs in the horizontal position I like to place them in a zip top baggie full of damp sphagnum moss. Hope this helps.

Thanks Scott - that makes sense. I'll go try that now.

Hetty, This photo may also help you. This was a very large size log. Notice the coloring on the old leaf base scars. The lighter coloring is on the bottom of the scars on this plain green Ti.



The fingernail test would not work on this one.

I will share this page from a paper I did this spring.

Beautiful plant, I love the cobra like twist to the new leaves. Nice layout!

ScotTi said:Hetty, This photo may also help you. This was a very large size log. Notice the coloring on the old leaf base scars. The lighter coloring is on the bottom of the scars on this plain green Ti.



The fingernail test would not work on this one.

That is very helpful. The coloration is quite distinctive. It is a very thick log like the you show. I think I've got it now but I will do another check tomorrow in daylight.
I'm also considering cutting the logs in half, what do you think? They are all about a foot each. I've successfully rooted 4" logs previously.

Cutting the log down into 2 or 3 pieces works fine.

I am going to cut up one of mine and try the horizontal method in the zip lock. That is a good idea Scott, I have propagated them sideways before but never in a closed environment, that makes perfect sense. Thanks.

I've taken two small pieces from the big green Ti logs, and planted one of them upright in soil and one of them horizontal in soil. The larger pieces are still in water. A *somewhat* controlled study...

Dutchlady1 said:I've taken two small pieces from the big green Ti logs, and planted one of them upright in soil and one of them horizontal in soil. The larger pieces are still in water. A *somewhat* controlled study...

Cool. Please do let us know the results. So you are gonna have 4 more of that variety. Are these in or out plants for you?

What is a "big green Ti"?
TIA

David,
Most people think the Ti plant is a native to the Hawaiian Islands, but it was not. The Big Green Ti is one of the "Canoe" plants that the early Polynesian settlers brought to Hawaii. The Ti played a very important part in the daily lives of the Polynesian's. The leaves were used for wrapping food to be cooked, Hula skirts, roof thatch, sandals, rain capes, lei and more. If you want me to post my pages with photos I did on this let me know and I will do.

ScotTi said:If you want me to post my pages with photos I did on this let me know and I will do.

Thanks for all that info!! I am sure that many others than I would find that of interest.

Yes, Scott, please do. I've read most of them on the TropiScape website and found them to be very informative, interesting and enjoyable. I'm sure that others here would enjoy reading them and seeing your beautiful photos.