Here's some helpful info on taking care of your own dracaenas.
Potting:
Dracaena as with most
tropicals will
flourish in almost any well drained
soil. Most growers use a mixture containing
peat moss,
bark and
sand. The majority of plants grown are in 6", 8", 10" and 14” pots. Some varieties such as
Marginata are grown in sizes up to 100 gallons and can reach heights of 15 or more feet. Most plants can grow in relatively small containers. Heights of 5-6 feet are not
uncommon in a 10” pot. This can cause the plant to become “top heavy”; use a larger decorative container to help balance the plant.
Water:
Depending on the
indoor environment watering should be weekly. Many people
overwater the plant keeping the soil soggy. Soil should be kept
moist but not soggy. Dracaenas like the soil to dry out between waterings, but excessive drying out can cause brown tips and edges. When watering, use water that is at
room temperature.
City water should sit to allow
chlorination to
evaporate.
Fluoride in the water can lead to tip burn.
Janet Craig is one variety that will tolerate considerable dryness BUT the plant should be relatively free of
fertilizer, this can also lead to tip burn. Dracaenas also grow very well with sub-
irrigation.
Light:
Dracaenas will
survive low interior light but would prefer
bright filtered light. (They also like fluorescent, makes 'em great for offices.) Position dracaenas near or opposite a curtained
southern window. Janet Craig has been used by interior plantscapers for many years when a low light dracaena is needed. Plants that have been
acclimated for use indoors should NOT be placed in
direct sun or it will
sunburn.
Fertilizer:
When grown indoors dracaenas have almost no need to be fertilized. If you must fertilize any well balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 will
maintain growth. Pelleted fertilizers also work but read instructions carefully. Indoors plants grow slower and therefore have lower
requirements for
food. If you are going to fertilize apply
approximately 1/4 recommended
strength. Over-fertilizing can produce burning of tips and
roots. Fertilizers can also cause tip burn if you allow your dracaena to dry out.
Temperature:
Dracaenas enjoy
warm conditions between 68-85
daytime temperature and prefer a 10 degree drop at
nighttime. Cold, and
drafty conditions in the 40's and 50's will slow growth considerably. Extended periods below 50's can
damage leaves, stems and roots on some varieties. "
Massangeana" can begin to show
leaf damage at temperatures below 50 degrees and some varieties leaves will begin to spot with temperatures in the 40's and lower.
Humidity:
Humidity above 25-30% is
best but will
tolerate long periods down to 10-15%.
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