1. How Dracaena Comes From
Dracaena should be beheaded at an appropriate height, depending on personal preference. After beheading, if possible, disinfect the wound (using wood ash or cigarette ash) and allow it to dry as much as possible. It typically takes about a month for a Dracaena tree to sprout after being beheaded, though this time can vary from shorter to longer. This time varies depending on the individual plant’s care environment and plant condition. The cut top of a Dracaena tree can be used to propagate new plants. Apply wood ash to the cut surface or allow it to dry slightly before planting in soil and halving the leaves. Some planters also root the plant in water and then replant it in soil. This is also possible, but it’s not guaranteed to survive and there’s a certain chance of failure. In fact, the principles for beheading Dracaena are similar to those for other woody plants. For example, we often see beheaded trees with their roots still attached, and many new branches still sprout from them. 2. Dracaena can survive from cuttings, but the chances are slim. Dracaena cuttings are best taken from cuttings between May and June. This is the tree’s peak growth period, and the plant is rich in nutrients, making it highly likely to survive. Before taking cuttings, select a mother plant with high ornamental value and take strong branches from it that are at least two years old. Each cutting should be approximately 10-20 cm long, with or without leaves. Cut the base of the cutting flat, then cut the top horizontally, retaining the leaves. Soak the upper and lower cuts in clean water to remove any excess liquid. Place in a cool, well-ventilated place to air dry for a while. Then, soak the cuttings 2-3 cm from the base for 5 seconds in 500-1000 ppm naphthaleneacetic acid. Immediately after soaking, plant the cuttings. 3. Does your Dracaena have root rot? Observe the extent of the rot and determine the appropriate treatment. If the root rot is less than halfway complete, it’s recommended to prune away all the rotten roots and remove any rotten spots on the stem. Rinse with carbendazim several times and transplant to new sterilized nutrient soil.
If all the roots are rotten, there’s nothing you can do. If the healthy Dracaena tree is still ornamental, just discard it! If you’re willing to tinker with it, you can revive it by propagating cuttings.
4. Where to Find a Dracaena Tree
First, remove the leaves from the lower portion of the main stem and shape it into a T-shape.
Second, cut the tree horizontally at a certain height, leaving only the new leaves at the top of the main stem. Remember to remove any side buds from the main stem.
Finally, place the pruned Dracaena tree in a well-ventilated and sunny area. Wait for a while until it solidifies into the T-shape. 5. What is a Dracaena? The genus Dracaena comprises over 150 species, native to tropical regions of the Eastern Hemisphere. China boasts approximately eight species. Dracaena, also known as the Dragon Beard Orchid, is a popular plant for both beginners and seasoned flower lovers. Virtually every household has a Dracaena plant. It is an evergreen shrub that can reach up to 4 meters tall. Its bark is gray, and its sessile leaves are densely distributed at the top of the stem. These thick, papery leaves are broadly linear or oblanceolate, 10-35 cm long and 1-5.5 cm wide. They enlarge at the base, becoming narrower near the base. The midrib is prominent and ribbed on the lower, dorsal aspect. The terminal inflorescence is a large, terminal panicle of 1-3 flowers, up to 60 cm long. The flowers are white and fragrant, and the berries are spherical and yellow. Many species and varieties of the genus are used for ornamental purposes in gardens, but they are useless for firewood, earning them the nickname “the useless tree.” Dracaena also has its own preferred lifestyle. I prefer high temperatures and humidity, and I love ample sunlight. My leaves are vibrantly colored, but I’m not cold-tolerant. Winter temperatures are around 15°C, with a low of 5-10°C. If the temperature drops too low, the roots won’t absorb enough water, causing yellow-brown spots to appear on the tips and margins of the leaves. I prefer loose, well-drained soil rich in humus.
Dracaena has a remarkably beautiful shape, with vibrant, vibrant leaves. Some varieties have dense yellow spots on their leaves, affectionately called “star-spotted trees.” Others have yellow longitudinal stripes on their leaves, producing a subtle fragrance, known as “fragrant dracaena.” Others have white, creamy white, and beige stripes on their leaves, known as “tricolor dracaena.” The stems of dracaena secrete a bright red resin, giving it the nickname “dragon’s blood.”
There are different varieties of dracaena. One is the original, older variety, with leaves over 1.5 cm wide and emerald green. We’ll temporarily call it “broad-leaved dracaena!” Another variety has leaves less than 1.5 cm wide and a dark green color. Flower wholesale markets call it “wheat awn” or “black pearl.” As the broad-leaved dracaena grows older, the leaves in the center grow upright, while the older leaves grow outward in a “heart-shaped” pattern. This type of dracaena, with its yellowing and falling leaves, has leaves that grow outward in a heart-shaped pattern. The rest of its leaves grow upright, giving it a “hedgehog” appearance from a distance. The dracaena is a tree in the genus Dracaena, a member of the Agavaceae family. It has a short, thick trunk with a rough, light brown surface and produces many short, sturdy branches. Its sap is deep red. Its leaves are bluish-green, each 60 cm long and 5 cm wide. Its flowers are small, white-green, and arranged in panicles. Its berries are orange. The dracaena is native to Cape Verde, Morocco, Portugal (Madeira Islands), and Spain (Canary Islands). It prefers full sun but is also shade-tolerant. It prefers a hot and humid environment and is well-suited for indoor cultivation. The Hainan Dragon Blood Tree, found in southwestern Hainan, grows on dry sandy soil in leeward areas and is also found in Vietnam and Cambodia. It is a Class II nationally protected endangered species. The recognized resource plant for the domestic Dracaena genus is the Sword-Leafed Dracaena. The Sword-Leafed Dracaena, also known as the Cambodian Dragon Blood Tree, is tall, elegant, simple, and majestic, imbued with a tropical charm. Large plants can be placed in courtyards, lobbies, and living rooms, while small plants and water-grown plants are suitable for decorating study rooms and bedrooms. The Dragon Blood Extract, extracted from its wood, can be used medicinally. The Dragon Blood Tree is also known as the Bleeding Tree, the Holy Blood Medicine, and the Plant of Longevity. It is the precious Yunnan Red Medicine—Dracaena, also known as Qilinjie, which is as famous as Yunnan Baiyao.
6. Where does the Dracaena grow?
Dracaena, also known as the “bleeding tree,” “blood-activating elixir,” and “plant of longevity,” primarily grows in tropical regions such as Africa and southern Asia. Its flowers are bisexual, small, with a seven-lobed perianth and arranged in panicles, spike-like racemes, or dense spikes. Its fruit is a berry. It prefers warm, humid environments, is light-loving, and not cold-tolerant.
It is primarily divided into two groups:
One group is a tree with a trunk and flat, leathery leaves, commonly known as “dragon blood tree,” and it typically grows in arid, semi-desert regions.
The other group is a shrub with thin stems and strap-like leaves, typically found in tropical rainforests and often cultivated as an ornamental plant.
It is a small evergreen shrub, up to 4 meters tall, with gray bark. The leaves are sessile, densely borne at the top of the stem. They are thick, papery, broadly linear or oblanceolate, 10–35 cm long and 1–5.5 cm wide. They enlarge and clasp the stem at the base, becoming narrower near the base. The midrib is prominent and ribbed on the lower, dorsal surface. The terminal inflorescence is a large, terminal panicle up to 60 cm long, with 1–3 flowers arranged in clusters. The flowers are white and fragrant. The berries are spherical and yellow.
… 7. What is a Dracaena? Dracaena agavaceae, also known as the Golden Heart Brazilian Ironwood, the Brazilian Millennium Wood, or the Middle Spotted Dracaena, is a member of the genus Dracaena in the Agavaceae family (Liliaceae). It has a straight trunk and clustered, lanceolate green leaves with a broad golden-yellow center stripe. It prefers warm, humid conditions and plenty of sunlight. It is not cold-tolerant and afraid of waterlogging, but is shade-tolerant. It requires fertile, calcium-rich, well-drained soil, and winter temperatures above 5°C. It is often planted in sections, then potted after rooting, creating a unique style. It is native to the Canary Islands in western Africa. 8. What causes Dracaena stunting? So-called stunting occurs when all of a plant’s nutritional organs—roots, stems, and leaves—stagnate, with no new growth points for an extended period. In fact, stunting is not limited to Dracaena, but can also occur in other flowers and plants. So, what exactly causes stunting?
The root cause is simply this: root growth is hindered!
However, there are many other reasons for this problem: First, the climate is not suitable for plant growth!
Second, problems with the potting soil;
Third, lack of fertilizer!
Dracaena prefers a hot, humid environment. The current temperature and environment are right in its peak growth season, so climate isn’t the primary cause.
Next, there’s the issue of potting soil and water and fertilizer management. These two issues are mutually restrictive and interdependent. Good water and fertilizer management helps loosen the soil. Loose and breathable potting soil is conducive to root growth. Well-grown roots absorb more water and fertilizer, and the plant naturally grows strong and lush!
Dracaena prefers loose, fertile, well-permeable soil rich in humus and nutrients. So check to see if your potting soil meets these requirements, or if there’s a problem with the soil being compacted. To improve the current state of your Dracaena, you must first break its stunted state. There are two ways to do this: First, repot and replace the soil. A pot that is too small or soil that has become salinized and alkaline due to long-term unrepotting can inhibit the plant’s growth. Therefore, repotting and replacing the soil, along with root pruning, can stimulate the growth of new roots. Only when new growth points appear in the root system can its absorption capacity be reactivated, thus breaking the stunted state. Finally, don’t forget to replace the potting soil. Use a large pot for large seedlings and a small pot for small seedlings. A mixture of humus, peat, and river sand can be used as the base. After repotting, be sure to remove the plant from direct sunlight. Place it in a cool, shady place for a while. When new growth points appear, the roots have begun to grow and absorb nutrients for the plant. Now you can resume normal watering and fertilization!
Second, use growth regulators and prune together
If your potting soil is not compacted, or perhaps you think the above operation is too dangerous, then you can use growth regulators such as brassinolide, and then prune to break the state of the dead seedlings and stimulate them to start growing again. At the same time, this is also a good way to shape and promote the growth of multiple heads!
Spring and summer are the peak growth seasons of the dragon blood tree, so May to July each year is more suitable for pruning it. The pruning method is very simple, just cut off the head directly, as shown in the picture!
After cutting the head, don’t forget to apply topdressing (nitrogen fertilizer or general fertilizer with a good ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, such as Huaduoduo No. 1, Sanyuan Compound, etc.). Only with sufficient fertility will it grow side buds faster, and new branches and leaves will grow faster.
In addition, as long as the dragon blood tree resumes normal growth, it has a strong ability to sprout after beheading, and may directly grow a circle of small heads. However, we must not be greedy and must not be greedy. We must thin out the buds and break off the overly crowded buds, retaining only 3 to avoid a situation where there are too many monks and too little meat, and they compete for nutrients.
Finally, two points are worth reminding: the dragon blood tree prefers a hot and humid growing environment. The temperature is high in summer, and water evaporates relatively quickly. In addition to maintaining a watering method when the soil is dry and wet, it is also necessary to frequently spray the leaves and the surrounding area to increase the air humidity, which is more conducive to its growth.
The second point to note is fertilization. The dragon blood tree grows fast, so it is necessary to apply fertilizer regularly during the growing period, preferably once every 15-30 days. 9. Why Dracaena?
How to Fertilize a Dracaena:
1. When fertilizing a Dracaena, avoid using too concentrated fertilizer; apply it lightly. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer. Instead, apply more potassium and phosphorus fertilizers. Excessive nitrogen fertilizer application can obscure the leaf patterns and reduce its ornamental value.
2. Dracaena enters a dormant period during winter, during which it does not absorb nutrients. Therefore, fertilization can be discontinued. However, water the tree moderately and avoid allowing the soil to dry out.
3. After successfully planting a Dracaena, fertilize it at least once or twice every two months. Ensure the soil is moist and well ventilated during fertilization.
4. Dracaena grows most vigorously in spring, summer, and autumn. Therefore, increase fertilizer application during these three seasons to maintain healthy growth. Fertilize every ten days or so. But remember not to use too high a concentration of fertilizer.
Dragon Blood Tree
Precautions:
When growing Dracaena at home, many people use milk to water the plants. While this is a viable method, it’s not suitable for Dracaena trees.
10. Where is the Dracaena Tree?
When its bark is cut, a deep red sap, resembling human blood, oozes out, hence its name. It is mostly found in limestone areas at high altitudes.
Dragon Blood Trees prefer high temperatures and humidity, and enjoy abundant sunlight, resulting in vibrantly colored leaves. However, they are not cold-tolerant, with winter temperatures around 15°C and a minimum of 5-10°C. If the temperature is too low, the roots will not absorb enough water, causing yellow-brown spots to appear on the tips and edges of the leaves. Dracaena trees prefer loose, well-drained soil rich in humus and nutrients.