Hi Mike,
When you say that your plant has "reached the maximum size that its pot will allow," do you mean that the roots have completely filled the pot? Dracaena do like to be a bit underpotted, but if the water is just going right out of the bottom of the pot without any effort then it's time to re-pot it in the next size up pot. Is there a single cane or multiple canes? Also, could you please be a little more specific about what the potting media consists of?

Saucer -

The pot it came in is basically filled with a molded rock - no dirt - and the water seeps through to the bottom. I don't think I can repot it without destroying the pot it's in right now.

As far as the plant it self, the link below is a close representation of my plant, only the pot is about a 5 inches in diameter and about 4 inches tall.

Thanks for your assistance!

Here is a link that might be useful: Dracaena link

Hey Mike, I can't get that link to work man. Do you have a direct link to the pic?

I'm not sure I understand the molded rock thing. The only thing I can think of is sometimes small cacti and succulent gardens have a top dressing of crushed rock held together with water soluble glue. Does this describe what you have? Are you able to remove any of this and expoe the root ball?

Alternately, if repotting proves too difficult you could also lop off the leafy top part and jam it in some dirt. It should root in 1-2 months. Meanwhile, the decapitated stump of your older plant will eventually grow 2-3 new branches.

Saucer -

The top dressing you mentioned seems to fit the description I was trying to give; I've tried to get it out of the pot but they've got it in there pretty well.

If I were to cut off a leafy part, how far down on the stalk do I want to cut?

Here's the link:

http://www.plantranchco.com/Photos/PR_PhotoDetails.asp?ProductNO=772

mjgeby, I know exactly what you're talking about. Sometimes with plants that tend to be a bit top-heavy/tippy, the grower will put a two-inch thick cement slab on top of the soil to keep the plant in place. Sometimes there are pebbles/rockes mixed in the cement to make it look prettier. The plant is therefore basically "cemented" into the pot----there is no way to properly gauge moisture levels of the soil, and you really can't tell if the rootss are too big for the pot (because you can't take the plant out of the pot to see the rootball).

My solution: wrap a rag around the cement and wack at it with a hammer until it breaks up (best to wear safty glass for this). Once you bust away the cement, you can slide the rootball out of the pot to see if it needs a bigger pot. If not, put it back in the same pot----you may need to put some loose rocks on the soil to keep the top-heavy plant from tipping over. At least with loose rocks you can remove them when needed to check soil!

Sorry for the typos! I meant to say be sure you wear safety glasses when busting the cement up with a hammer---it flies everywhere!

Mike, if you're going to go with cutting off the top you'll want to leave at least half of the original cane, maybe closer to 2/3rds. Just remember that after you cut, the original cane will not grow any taller but will produce numerous side shoots that will grow as tall as you let them.

Though, unless you're wanting to propagate it right now I think re-potting is a better solution.

I have several Dracaena plants. When my dogs are playing, sometimes they knock the plant(s) over. I just pot up the broken piece, and voila, a new plant. My original plant has about 5 canes in it and is 15 feet high! It's tied to the stairway and upper balcony for stability.

Florrie