I just received a new Ti log, Cordyline Terminalis 'Leisha' First time I've tried to grow one from a cutting. The seller said that the top of the log was the end that was "lighter in color". Hmmm, from this picture, could you tell which end that was? I'm guessing the purply end (left side of the pic), but don't want to make a mistake.



Also, the log is 13" long - could I cut it in half and make 2 plants?

Looking for all input, but I'll call out @ScotTi in case he's around. Thanks!

You are correct that the purple looking end is the top. And you could cut it in half to make two. I would give the top end a 7" cut leaving the bottom as a 6" log. Sometimes the fresher new top part of a cane would rather rot than root. The cane will root from the brown cane.

Leisha is beautiful, I love the wavy leaves.

That's going to be a pretty one! I've submitted a proposal to add 'Leisha' to the database. We have an entry for 'Princess Leisha' which is pretty too but apparently has more compact growth habit.

Edited to say: Once the database entry has been created, I hope you will upload photos as your 'Leisha' progresses ... photos from the "stick" stage to the entire plant once it's leafed out!

@ScotTi - thank you, I'll try cutting it as you describe Can I root it immediately after I cut it, or should I wait a few days?

@ardesia, I'm excited - it sure looks pretty in the pictures

@plantladylin - assuming I don't mess this up I'll be glad to post pictures as it progresses!

It was the only one of the cuttings that I ordered that didn't root ...

You should start rooting immediately. I have found my 'Leisha' to be one of the finicky Ti plants. Best color is noted in the spring with very little color the rest of the year.
Today...

Last spring...

I have had this plant for several years now, from the same seller you show on your plant tag. I have never thought it looked like the photos on the sellers site. The site claimed location, light levels and stress could effect the look. I grow it in early morning sun only.

And in Keauu they have the perfect location and light levels for growing. About 400" of rain a year and the most ideal drainage, it is never muddy there. The gritty soil, if you can call it that, is pure volcanic ash and chock full of minerals and carbon. The temperature is moderate during the day and quite cool at night giving the plants that important rest period. The trade winds provide air circulation so fungal diseases are few.

No wonder plants look and grow differently. Here on the SE coast, it is either hot or cold, usually muggy, soils are sandy with little nutrition or clay like and our nights are hot, hot hot during the summer. , but it's home.

The listing for Leisha is now in the database waiting for photos.
Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa 'Leisha')

Thanks Lin - from some of the comments about Leisha, I'm not sure if I'll have any success but I'll give it a try.

@ScotTi, lovely photos, hope you will consider uploading a couple to the database? Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa 'Leisha')
@IbisFla ... it never hurts to try and it really is a pretty Cordyline so I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, keep us posted on how it does!

ardesia said:And in Keauu they have the perfect location and light levels for growing. About 400" of rain a year and the most ideal drainage, it is never muddy there. The gritty soil, if you can call it that, is pure volcanic ash and chock full of minerals and carbon. The temperature is moderate during the day and quite cool at night giving the plants that important rest period. The trade winds provide air circulation so fungal diseases are few.

No wonder plants look and grow differently. Here on the SE coast, it is either hot or cold, usually muggy, soils are sandy with little nutrition or clay like and our nights are hot, hot hot during the summer. , but it's home.

You are correct and a some of the Cordylines do not like the conditions here. Here is another from Hawaii that I have babied over for about 3 years now. 'Purple Volcano' last Feb. I thought it was getting its act together and I was going to enjoy the color eruption that this one could deliver. Was I ever wrong. A few leaves of color and it went back to no color as spring came.

Here it is last Feb.


and here we have it today


It is a live and learn thing and the purple color Ti look to dislike our conditions.

How disappointing about the colors, especially after all the effort you put into it! It's still a beautiful plant though

Bummer....

Update on my 'Leisha' Ti log - I took Scott's advice and cut it in two. It's been awhile, but finally, I'm starting to see some life And since I really want to use the new emoticon, that this continues to grow.

Looks very promising, Ibis.

How interesting about the colors, I wondered about my Kiwi Ti, it was so colorful five years ago but more green now. Still pretty but I'd like it to be as colorful as when I first bought it. I thought maybe it was because it doesn't get any sun now, total shade. But it would burn when it was in the sun.
In April 2011


In Fall of 2015

My Willii's Gold has lost a bit of color also. I just cut it back and will try and get it going again.

Can they color up leaves with dyes, like they do with Phal. orchids?

Hi @sunkissed - I think we must be neighbors - I'm in Winter Springs too! I'll be a little disappointed if the colors don't turn out the way I expected on Leisha, but it's fun to try anyway. And they're still beautiful plants.