Brown Mottled Red Passion Cordyline

sahjones

I have some Red Passion Cordyline in containers. They were planted Spring last year and were fine all through the dark winter. Now they are getting brown mottled leaves, and one of them looks eaten away. I can't find any bugs on the leaves or roots. I have been feeding and watering them. Could it be Floride Poisoning? Or that Cordyline don't like to share with daffodils? What could it be? Please help.

AnniD

I think that leaf looks as though a slug or snail has had a nibble. Could you post a photo of the whole plant please @sahjones ? Just so we could get more idea of the scale ?
Also, what have you fed them with, and how often ?

sahjones

Thanks AnniD. My father has suggested perhaps a rat has gnawed it for nesting as he thinks something big must have been at them. I have fed them Gro Sure in their water probably about once a week. 

AnniD

I think once a week may be too often, once a month should be enough. It may be that you're killing it with kindness  . Did you plant it in the container at the same depth that it was in it's original pot ?

sahjones

Instructions on the packet say 1-2 times a week during the growing the season - I presumed that was Spring.

The container is deeper than the usual pot but I planted it a year ago and it was ok then.

AnniD

I have done a bit of research and l think the growing season for cordylines is June/July and possibly into August.  If the central core is solid and not mushy, it might be okay. I would cut back on the watering and definitely cut back on the feeding. They're pretty tough plants. 
If it is a rat that's been gnawing at it, l don't really know what to suggest apart from a trap maybe.

sahjones

Thanks for you help. I'll have to experiment.