Help with my Dracaena Marginata Plant/Tree?
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6 years ago
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6 years agoRelated Discussions
My dracaena marginatas are dying.. HELP!! (Image heavy)
Comments (10)Hello fellow house plant freaks Sorry to hear about your Dracaena declining. My Dracaena thrives on ignorance. What was once one of my favourite house plants is now a plant that tends to be pushed out of the way every now and then. it sits underneath a fluorescent light all day and gets watered when it is dry. It has spent most of its life sitting on the floor being pushed out of the way when i needed the room and is mostly an annoyance rather than a prized specimen for me. Despite what seems like a lack of care for it, it still continues to push out new growth from the top. when the leaves crack, i give it a haircut with scissors. i can't remeber the last time i fetilized it (i dont think i have yet months after buying it at Wal-Mart in a not so good condition for 3 bucks) Sometimes i think the best thing you can do for a plant that is declining is to just ignore it and let it do it's thing. Here is a picture of it on my messy desk. It shares it's home with junk laying on my desk and some chemical containers laying around. - Pete, 19...See MoreHelp me save my Dracaena Marginata!
Comments (4)You don't have to chop it all off by any means. That was just my personal opinion 'cause I'm lazy, which is why I don't buy almost dead plants either. But if you do decide to cut, leave about 4 or so inches of stem from the soil surface. It'll backbud making each stem branch 2-4 branches. It wouldn't take that long to grow back (and it would) and it would be fuller and brighter. And those leaves that you cut really short, if they are adult leaves, chances are good that they'll be short for ever more. Now, if the plant seems pretty happy right now, you can just leave it as is, and keep a close eye on it. For all I know it could bounce right back. Some plants can have a crazy will to live. Whichever you choose, I wish you the best of luck with this plant. Perhaps your thumb is greener than anyone knows....See MoreNew to houseplants- how to not kill ZZ Plant and Dracaena Marginata?
Comments (5)Hi! These are not terribly picky plants, things should go well, assuming both are in a pot with a hole in the bottom, and not inappropriately dense/soggy/muddy soil. :+) The one picky aspect of Dracaenas is being sensitive to tap water chemicals. Whenever possible, give that rain water, distilled, or condensate from a dehumidifier or A/C. Sounds like it might be too big to move for watering. A turkey baster will help you remove excess water from a drip saucer. First, the fun. Both of these plants have a "strange people" article. If you like to find the humor in things, plants have some too: http://plantsarethestrangestpeople.blogspot.com/2009/11/fall-guy-dracaena-marginata.html http://plantsarethestrangestpeople.blogspot.com/2008/07/stoner-zamioculcas-zamiifolia.html "should I have removed all of the old soil from the roots?" Yes, that's repotting. What you described doing is merely potting up. Repotting is preferred because variation in soil type/texture makes it difficult for moisture to move from one to the other. "should I have placed some pebbles or perlite or something in the bottom" No, that doesn't help with drainage/aeration, it's just an old wives' tale. Many previous discussions about this if you feel like searching/reading more. I'm also a huge fan of the great info here: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1490818/good-growing-practices-an-overview-for If you are able to share a pic of your plants, please do. Everyone loves plant porn!...See MoreMy new tree - Dracaena Marginata?
Comments (3)Yes, it's D. marginata, an interesting one with a lot of character in its' funky trunks. I think they look completely awesome. The funky bends and twists develop over time from leaning toward light, and from being top-heavy. Everything looks/sounds good. A slightly more bright spot than where it was at its' previous home should work well. Love your flamingo too! Once the roots have taken hold in the new pot, hopefully you'll be able to remove the ties. The combo of a little more light and putting a fan blowing on it gently for an hour or more per day could help the trunks to get a little stronger....See MoreRICHARD FINKELSTEIN
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoRICHARD FINKELSTEIN
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoRICHARD FINKELSTEIN
4 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years agoRichie Finkelstein
4 years agoDave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
4 years agoRichie Finkelstein
4 years agoMichele H
2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5