I once successfully AL'ed a Ficus 'Alii'. A small branch. I used a sterile scalpel and cut all around just to the vescular bundle about half inch away I did the same thing. Then, I used the scalpel to connect the cuts and peeled away the bark. Wet sphag and a good-sized block from a black contractor's bag as well as tape at either end and walla! I realize a Ficus is not a Dracena, but the same thing can be done. You just have to be careful with not using too much pressure. A slit would work just fine too. If you're really daring, you can take a stem cutting during the growing season (before the stem becomes "woody") and propogate it that way. After roots have formed add it to the pot for bushier appearence.

Thanks, all. I'm glad people are enjoying the progress pics. Kathy Blackwood : Keep in mind, these are mature plants that are living outside while going through their summer growing period. They are enjoying lots of bright indirect light. I pruned some smaller indoor dracs last year, and they are growing much MUCH slower. 'Your mileage may vary', as they say. laticauda : The third branch on the marginata is still just a tiny green nub. It looks exactly the same now as it did when it first broke through the trunk 2 months ago. The third one on the tri-color is definitely the runt of the litter, but it's starting to grow and catch up with the others now.

Hi I have a similar question! I went to a friends house and they were throwing a large Dracaena into the garbage. They had uprooted and left it outside in the front yard (and it was a hot day.) I immediately put it in a vase of water and took it home. Let it soak for 24 hours and replanted it today in a mix of cactus and potting soil, and watered. The stem is green underneath all the way to the soul, however the roots did seem dried out (I also think they probably were not gentle when they unpotted it.) Since the leaves have started turning brown and wilting. I pulled some dead ones off. Looks worse than when I found it. Not sure how long it was outside as the person who did it was not there. Could have been a day, pr a few days but since leaves had not totally wilted I am hoping it was for under a few days. As you can see the top looks like it is going to fall off. Just wanted to know if it has a chance? If there is anything I can do? Watering? And also if deck is best or inside for recovery (it is hot but not in direct sun out there.) Thanks! Any tips are appreciated!

Hi All, I’m looking forward to June pruning/repotting and I’m thinking ahead about how I want to approach pruning my corn plant. The current top foliage has nice green colors and beautiful striping, but the winter foliage was pale (most has been shed or is in the process of shedding). Also I’ve managed to avoid too many brown tips, yay! I’m interested in doing a hard prune and removing the current foliage, and hopefully root it into and additional plant, and encourage back budding. I’m unsure of how much of a hard prune the plant can handle. Is it reasonable to remove all foliage? Would it be more appropriate to only remove half? I’m hoping to build a great looking plant, any additional advice on achieving that is welcome!! Thanks in advance. I’m attaching pictures: As you can (hopefully) see, it’s getting rather leggy, so I think there’s enough material to reroot the top foliage. There’s two stalks in the pot, and stalk A has two stalks and stalk B has one.