Dracaena plant (Photo) – planting and care at home. My experience

Most sites about flowers and houseplants suggest, that since October, dracaena goes into a mode of relative rest. And my fragrant beauty dracaena Yellow Coast came to life in the fall and in two months grew by centimeters 10!

This variegated variety does not develop quickly.. For 1, 5 I have not seen a strong growth in Dracaena for a year. The location of the flower did not change, he stands next to the south window. Grows in a spacious ceramic planter, since it has a powerful root system.

For any dracaena, stagnation of water in the soil is unacceptable. Watering Yellow Coast in moderation. At the bottom of the pot during transplantation I made a drainage "pillow" of expanded clay with a layer 3 cm. I feed the plant irregularly. I pour water from the shower every two months, as dust accumulates on the leaves.

IMPORTANT CARE TIPS

The tips of the leaves dry up? Means, dry air indoors. Spray the plant regularly.

If light spots appear, possibly, it's from the sun. Shade the flower or move it to a less lit place.

Brown spots indicate insufficient watering.. The earth ball should not dry out

© Author: Svetlana BUTKOVSKAYA, r. Penza Photo by the author

SPECIALIST COMMENT

Dracaena after transplantation first builds up the root system. And then it starts to grow, developing the aerial part. If the room is warm in autumn and winter (+22-25 city.), the plant will continue to "stay awake". And it doesn't matter, that the day has decreased - many species and varieties withstand a lack of light.

You can pamper a flower with a shower more often - 1-2 once a month. Then the tips of the leaves will dry out less.. By the way, cold drafts can also cause this.

Be careful with watering. It is better to wait for the topsoil to dry (especially in winter), and do not keep the lump constantly wet. Excessive watering is practically the only culprit in the death of dracaena.

© Author: Andrey SHACHNEV. biologist, r. St. Petersburg

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GROWING DRAGONS IN HOME CONDITIONS – LANDING AND CARE: FLOWER TIPS

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DRACENA WILL BRING SUCCESS

I always wanted to have a dracaena in the house, because it is considered, that she brings success. But how to get a beautiful solid specimen? It turned out, not difficult at all. The main thing is to help the plant overwinter in an apartment..

WINTER APPROACH

Despite, that dracaena is resistant to dry air, I regularly spray it with soft warm water: at a temperature +18-22 city. - two times a week (in summer - daily).

I rub the leaves soft, with a napkin soaked in water.

To increase the humidity of the air, I put the plant pot in a tray with pebbles., which is half flooded with water.

Struggling with stagnant moisture in the pot. Be sure to loosen the topsoil every three days, which dracaena has a heavy nutritious: turf mixture, leaf land, sand (4:2:1). To increase its looseness, resistance to decay and souring processes, add soil to the bucket 3 handfuls of charcoal and 0,5 l brick chips.

FOR PUSH

Dracaena, grown from a cuttings, began to form at a height of about 40 cm. Cut off in June (I process the sections with charcoal or activated carbon powder) horizontally top of the head, and after a while, buds woke up in the upper part of the stem remaining in the pot, lateral shoots began to develop. Then she shortened them, forming a crown. Now the plant 6 years and thanks to the annual summer haircut he has a lush, evenly leafy "hair". This is also facilitated by the fact, that in the summer I take dracaena to the garden: help diffused sunlight, Fresh air, "Walks" under the gentle rain and feeding 2 once a month with liquid mineral fertilizer (a few drops when watering).

I use the apical and stem cuttings obtained after pruning for propagation.. I put it in a jar of water and coarse sand at the bottom at a temperature of about +25 city. Plants with a developed root system (through 3 months) I plant it in the ground.

© Author: Inessa SAGAYDAK, r. Lugansk AUTHOR'S PHOTO

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THE STORY OF MY DRACENA

Bordered dracaena grew from a cuttings, by rooting it in a greenhouse from a plastic bottle in light soil with the addition of perlite.

She grew in one trunk, but I wanted, so that at three. therefore, when the height of the plant got bigger 40 cm, cut off the top with a sharp knife (rooted her) and, waxing the cut, began to wait. However, only one new sprout appeared.. My dream has come true, when a friend gave a large enough branched, as I wanted, dracena. I planted my own in her pot, growing in one stem, and it turned out to be a very interesting composition.

CONDITIONS AND CARE

There is a beauty at the east window on a curbstone, where she has enough light, especially since next to them on the shelves are burning 12 hours per day LED lamps. If there is a lack of lighting, the red border on the leaves will become discolored., and they will turn green.

I keep the tropicana at a temperature not lower than +18 city.

I follow, so that the soil never dries up, especially when the heating is on, otherwise leaf tips dry.

For hygienic purposes and for the prevention of ticks, I bathe the plant in the shower once a month: wrap the pot in a plastic bag, I lay on my side in the bath and water the crown 30 seconds hot (DO-DB 1 c.) water, then warm. And so I alternate 2-3 times.

I spray with warm boiled water, pre-passing through the filter, so that whitish spots do not remain on the leaves.

From spring to autumn, I feed the dracaena with fertilizer for decorative deciduous species, in winter - once a month in a very low concentration and only on a leaf.

DRACELA IT'S TIME TO TRANSFER

Young plants were transplanted every spring into a nutritious and moisture-absorbing substrate from turf, sheet, humus earth and peat (2:1:1:0, 5). The adult and her "roommates" were transplanted only once, so as not to contribute to their rapid growth, but every spring I changed the topsoil to fresh. Now my pet has grown more 1, 5 m, the lower leaves have fallen (this is a natural process), and the rest formed dense bunches on the tops of the trunks. I will soon transplant the plant into soil for palm trees, without increasing too much volume, so that the dracaena does not "grow out", otherwise she won't have enough space even on the floor.

© Author: Olga MALYAR. Dnepropetrovsk region. Photo by the author

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REJUVENATING DRACANE

Time is running fast, and more recently miniature dracaena (or shefflers) imperceptibly turned into real trees. They don't look as attractive anymore.: lost some of the leaves, twisted, stretched out towards the light. Means, you will have to take drastic measures - rejuvenate the plants with pruning.

SUITABLE DATES

The optimal period for heavy pruning of adult specimens is from about mid-January to mid-February.. At this time, the plants are still in relative rest., but they're about to wake up. And pruning at such times will contribute to a more uniform awakening of the kidneys on the remaining trunks.,

HOW TO CUT

Use a clean sharp tool, preferably special (secateurs), to get the most even cut without “loose” and squeezing. Cutting at a right angle.

The height of the stump left depends on the initial size of the plant., but in any case should not be less 30 cm, to get the awakening of the kidneys exactly on the trunk, not rootstock.

If a tree has several stems from one point (eg, manufacturers often form bordered dracaena into three trunks), cut them at different heights, so that the shoots that appear are freer, which will allow you to get more young shoots. At late dates (March and beyond) there is a risk of formation of only one - replacing the top.

SLECTION PROCESSING

We wet fresh cuts with a soft rag or napkin until the end of the juice release. In the wire, shefflers it takes minutes 10-15. Large ficus Benjamin e - longer, you can leave (glue) e cotton for a day.

After light drying (but not completely dry!) I disinfect: sprinkle with crushed charcoal, cinnamon, lubricate with brilliant green.

When they are completely dry (after two or three days), can be covered with garden

boil, to block the "gates" for potential infection. In F. Benjamin it also prevents cracking of the bark around the cut.

Why we do not immediately use garden var? Under it, a fresh wound often rots and, as a result, heals worse.

WHAT'S NEXT

After such a cardinal pruning, we must adjust the care of the plant..

We reduce watering, since there are no leaves yet, to evaporate large amounts of moisture.

We increase the humidity of the air, eg, throwing loose transparent package, what will help awaken the kidneys.

We provide good lighting, comfortable temperature (moderate heat) and with the advent of shoots, we begin to feed.

It is better to wait with the TRANSFER: it is also undesirable to disturb the root system immediately after pruning - double stress for plants.

© Author: Natalia GUBANOVA, collector, Photo by the author

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WE TRANSFER DRACANE

Last year I was presented with a bordered dracaena, which I want to transplant before the summer. What to Consider, for the plant to successfully endure the procedure?

Olga GOMANOVA

Dracaena is transplanted after purchase or when the pot becomes cramped, usually every 2-3 of the year.

SUBSTRATE FOR WIRE

Soddy soil is mixed in equal parts, sheet, humus, peat and coarse sand. Optimal pH - 6-6,5. Excess acidity, as well as overexposure, interferes with the absorption of iron and causes leaf chlorosis.

Turf land is an important component when growing dracaena. You can prepare it yourself. In dry weather, dig a layer of turf in the meadow, shaking, remove plant roots, break up large lumps.

Humus can be replaced with small pieces of old mullein (100 d on 1 l the substrate); sand - partially fine expanded clay, pieces of birch charcoal, coarse vermiculite.

BUY MIX

Ready-made substrates for dracaena have a significant drawback. Their basis is peat, often lowland, fine-fibered. It thickens quickly, losing structure, a gap may form between the root ball and the pot, the most active roots will be exposed and suffer from drying out. The nutrient supply of such mixtures is small., they are usually low in baking powder, they dry out quickly or retain moisture for too long.

The quality of purchased soil can be improved, adding clay sod soil or humus (or their combination) and baking powder.

LANDING

The drainage hole in the pot is closed with a concave clay shard, pour drainage on 1 /10 the height of the expanded clay container and pieces of charcoal. With a wooden stick, the old drainage and the top layer of the substrate with accumulated salts are carefully removed from the root ball., the sides are carefully “combed”, to improve aeration, then the roots will immediately begin to develop fresh soil.

1. Compact the substrate when planting, but do not press on the root ball.
2. Place the neck at the level of the soil, root exposure is undesirable.
3. The surface of the substrate should be below the rim of the pot by 2-3 cm (in solitaire 5-10 cm), so that water does not overflow when watering.

© Author: Tatiana SOLOVEY, chairman of the Croton club, r. Novosibirsk

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Dracaena for mental and physical health

Despite, that in the people this plant is called "dragon" or "dragon's tail", flower growers love him for unpretentiousness and long life. In addition, many signs are associated with dracaena., superstitions and fascinating legends.

TREE OF HAPPINESS AND LOVE

Dracaena help maintain warm relationships in the family., increase energy, improve mental health at home. As a result there, where does the mini-"palm tree" grow, there are rarely conflicts.

The plant is considered a talisman, attracting love, wealth and good luck. for example, in D. Sandera ("lucky bamboo") various properties: with three stems - guards family happiness; with five - the guarantor of financial well-being; with family - takes care of mental and physical health; well, a whole "bamboo fence" (of 21 receiver) promises great wealth.

In China, it is customary to give dracaena to newlyweds as a symbol of love., which will provide the spouses with comfort and harmony.

TO WHOM IT WILL HELP

Dracaena is useful to keep in the office: helps achieve goals, develop perseverance, industriousness, determination.

Dracaena Godsef (surculosis) In addition, it saturates the air with antimicrobial substances..

"Dragon" is recommended to grow single people, who want to start a family. And it will be better, if they get the plant by a shoot (anyone share a thread).

Dracena fringed (the margin) beneficial effect on physical condition, helps to restore strength during illness or with significant stress, helps strengthen teeth, joints, bones.

ON A NOTE

Try to put the dracaena out of reach of pets, which can "encroach" on its leaves and stems. for example, our cat loved to gnaw on a tree, when it was still very young. Over time, the wounds healed, but they don't look very nice..

© Author: Irina CHUDAEVA. Art. scientific, collaborator of the Institute of Naturopathy, experienced florist. r. Moscow

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WHY CHOOSE DRACANE

Need to quickly and beautifully plant a house? It is enough just to buy a few dracaena. Moreover, there is such a variety, what will not be repeated.

START SIMPLE

The easiest to maintain and common member of the family - dracaena bordered (Dracaena marginata). Its varieties will fit perfectly into the interior with minimal care..

The plant needs diffused light. In a dark corner, it develops poorly and may die, but near the window he will be comfortable.

The soil is loose, with sand additives, charcoal, perlite.

The pot is needed according to the size of the root system, in too large there is a risk of flooding and, Consequently, development of fungal diseases.

Looks impressive, if planted in one flowerpot 2-3 copies of different heights.

I water the dracaena after drying the soil for half a pot. Overflow, especially at low temperatures, prone to root rot. If plant size allows, bathe him in the shower, washing away the dust from the leaves and improving the decorative effect.

I feed a couple of times a month from March to October with fertilizer for decorative leafy species..

I transplant young specimens annually in the spring., slightly increasing the pot. Large adults - don't worry, I just change the top layer of soil to fresh.

The plant can be attacked by pests, so I keep a close eye on his appearance.. When leaves turn yellow, tarnishing should be examined for the presence of parasites and treated in a timely manner with appropriate preparations.

If the dracaena is very long and the trunk is bare, rejuvenate her.

CHERENKAYA

To propagate dracaena, in spring or summer I choose a good strong shoot and sharp, with a knife treated with an antiseptic, I cut off a stalk with a length of at least

15 cm. I put it in water, added a couple of drops of stimulant ("Zircon" or "HB-101"). I treat the cut on the plant with the drug "Maxim".

When the cutting gives good roots, I plant it in the ground, in a small container. I increase the size of the pot as I grow..

Light is important for rooting, but without direct sun.

© Author: Natalia KOSMINA. Altai region

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DRACENA – Pruning and reproduction. VIDEO