Identification Help: Help identify please

#1 January 10th, 2006, 07:27 AM

We have a very tall, at least 6 feet and growing, plant in our office. I don't know what it is or if it can be cut back. It has a thick center stem of about 1 1/2 inches, varigated, long, pointy leaves from top to about 1 foot from the bottom. The top looks very healthy, but the bottom is not. Please help.

**Ron B** · #2 January 10th, 2006, 06:33 PM

Probably a corn lily (Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana' or another variegated cultivar). Tufts of foliage perched on bare trunks develop normally as the plant ages. If you cut it back it will re-sprout, this is often done but the resulting contrast between the diameter of the original stem and the replacement tops is jarring for some time. It's probably like topping an outdoor tree, that is by the time the regrowth is back in proportion the plant is also as tall (outdoor tree) or bare-stemmed (corn lily) as when it was first cut back--making the whole operation seem somewhat pointless.

weaver7175 · #3 January 12th, 2006, 05:37 PM

i have what you are talking about i think, mine is about 10/11 feet tall, and is 16 years old...i cut back the bottom leaves
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL921.../125392004.jpg