Dracaena - yellow spots and drying leaves

7 years ago

Hi,

Please help me revive this plant. I think it's Dracaena
Massangeana, but please correct me if I am wrong. I also think it has been over
watered and possibly was under direct sunlight. I just got it three weeks ago.

Currently the plant in an office:

- air is dry, but I spray the leaves every day.

- It's next to a window facing west. There is no direct sunlight, but plenty of natural light.

- I water when the soil moisture meter is at 4 (close to red zone)

- the pot doesn't have a drain hole

Comments (4)

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
7 years ago
HI & welcome! Yes, I think that's the correct name.

- air is dry, but I spray the leaves every day. This is just getting the leaves wet. Dracaenas aren't divas about dry air, I've never misted any of mine.

- It's next to a window facing west. There is no direct sunlight, but plenty of natural light. That can keep it alive, but some sun shining right on it for a little while each day would be closer to ideal.

- I water when the soil moisture meter is at 4 (close to red zone) These things are known to be unreliable. Lots to read on this forum if you search.

- the pot doesn't have a drain hole Now we're starting to get to the root of the problem, literally, the roots. Any plant can only be as great as the health of its' roots.Any difficulties encountered by the roots will be reflected as imperfections in the foliage, like browned edges.

Lack of drain hole creates too great of a risk of killing your plant by merely pouring too much water, a very high degree of growing difficulty. This also causes a build-up in the soil of any substances in the water, that can make plants ill in high concentrations directly, or by altering soil PH, like chlorination, fluoride, lime.

Distilled, rain, or condensate from a dehumidifier or A/C are sources of water without those things in it. If using a hole-less pot, I would strongly urge you to try to find an alternative to tap water, at least as strongly as I would urge you to consider finding a pot with holes. That pot can sit inside a more attractive pot but still allow water to escape. If it's too cumbersome to move the tree when it's thirsty, overflow can be suctioned away with a turkey baster. Leaving excess water around roots can cause them to rot because roots need oxygen & moisture at the same time to function, not just one or the other.

After reading the discussions linked below, you should be much more well informed about repotting your tree, which would be something to consider doing this summer.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1490818/good-growing-practices-an-overview-for

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1497307/ukeeping-u-them-looking-good
Serge thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
jentsu926
7 years ago
Tiffany gives great advice here. As an apartment dweller with plants facing a west window that is also shadowed by a giant tree, you may could also have a low light situation going on here. If you can, not only would I search the forum for a fast draining soil mix recipe, I would search for a large clay pot for your plant. You can insert the more utilitarian clay pot with drain hole into your decorative cache pot.

Clay pots have saved many of my indoor plants that don't get much light. If you are turned off by the color, you can always paint them with acrylic paint on the exterior to match the decorative pot so that they blend in.
Serge thanked jentsu926
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Serge
Original Author
7 years ago

TADA :)

New pot with drain hole!!!

Used the potting mix recommended at my local garden center.

Also reported the canes much higher - more soil under the roots and less on top.

Will see how the leaves look in a couple of weeks.

Lighting:

The picture looks dark because I am not good at taking picture. Actually there is lots of bright light, but no direct sunlight. There is nothing in from of the building to block the light and I also put up the blinds.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
7 years ago
I hope that makes your plant more happy. :) Looks very bright & cheery!

Dracaena - yellow spots and drying leaves

Comments (4)

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL

jentsu926

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Dracaena - yellow spots and drying leaves

Comments (4)

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL

jentsu926

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SergeOriginal Author

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL

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GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

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