Generally this plant does not need much light. It can take the light, but if you have a room that is too dark for other plants, it will take it. Sometimes I feel like I could put mine in a closet and it'd still grow (wouldn't advise that though!). Maybe that's what the previous owner did? lol. To grow branches, you're in a good spot now. A good spot, in that the plant looks pretty ugly right now, so chopping a bit off the top won't hurt its look too much :P Basically, if you cut it back some, it will grow new branches. Dracenas are not known for branching much, except when cut back. And they look better cut back and branched. If/when you do cut it back, extra care during that time (water it when the soil is dry-ish, give it good ambient light at the least) it'll bounce back with some new growth in a few weeks. Depending on your climate, anywhere from a few months to a couple years before it'll look great though. But rest assured, it is very hard to kill this plant. For it to be dying, someone either lived in a basement appartment with few windows and black walls, had it in the garage or attic, or is a moderately skilled plant assassin.

I still think it would be happier in a warmer climate, but it did do better this year over previous years. Concidently it was a MUCH hotter year than normal. Can't say that was the reason why, but something to watch over the coming years. It added almost 1" in caliper this year (almost 3/4" last year). I put my observations and photos on the net, so that others can find information that is coming from someone trying to sell you something. Plus, because when I was looking for info on several of our trees, there wasn't much beyond the standard spiel, and even that often contradicted. According to the website of the patenter, this maple is not being propagated by Greenleaf, therefore availability should improve over the next couple of years. Just same, if you REALLY want one now, check out the link below. They appear to get them on an as ordered basis. They are located near on of Greenleaf's main production facilities, so I suspect they acquire them from there as needed. Arktrees Here is a link that might be useful: Fire Dragon

Actually the most trifoliate strains,including flying dragon, FD,can be made to grow in clay but they really grow slow. The main thing is acidity or alkalinity in the soil. Here is the best rule of thumb for the Gulf Coast (and inland to San Antonio in Texas]. Look around for wild conifers. If you see them trifoliate will grow well. If you dont see them, do some research. Trifoliate also grows south of Houston along ancient streams courses and newer, still flowing waterways like Oyster Creek where there is much better soil and yet no conifers. Ask your Ag Extension Agent or Soil Conservation office. Our county library system has a soil altas. What you want is a neutral to slightly acid soil AND subsoil. Also check the water, if you have hard water, its alkaline in this region. If you have alkaline clay including down 4 ft, use a raised bed and acidify. You will have a lot less trouble with sour orange in either case. I lost one citrus in this Jan freeze and it was on citrange. My sour orange trees were OK.

Just an FYI, but Superthrive is NOT a fertilizer. At best, it is a vitamin and plant hormone mixture that is supposed to reduce transplant shock and encourage root development but its actual ingredients other than B1 and NAA are not disclosed. btw, applications of vitamin B1 (thiamine) have been proven to not provide any measurable benefits to plant growth, as it is present in all soils and is manufactured by plants themselves in sufficient quantities. The debates over the benefits - if any - of Superthrive are long and heated. However there is only anecdotal reports that it provides any positive stimulus to plant growth. Scientific trials have demonstrated NO measurable benefit. And FWIW, if the tree in question is infected with VW, no amount of fertilizing with anything is going to help - fertilizer does not kill off plant pathogens.