Framed dracaena belongs to the Drazenov family, which recites about 150 species of tree plants. Her homeland is the tropics of America. This beautiful plant with often twisted trunk is becoming more decorative, taller and branched every year. Some of its specimens reach a height of 2.5 m. Plants have narrow green leaves with purplish-red edges that grow to a length of 50 cm. They are collected in fairly dense rosettes. The most colored varieties of common dracaena , such as Colorama, have wide red stripes on each side of the leaf, and the THcolor variety has alternating green, red and cream stripes.
Bordered dracaena does not lose its decorative effect all year round. As a rule, this plant does not bloom in room conditions. It is often referred to as "room palm". And dracaena really resembles tropical palm trees, only in miniature. This plant is unpretentious, but very picturesque. Its lignified, unbranched stem has an unusual decorative appearance. The older the dracaena is bordered, the more it resembles a palm tree. Often in old plants, leaf rosettes remain only at the top of a lignified tall trunk.
During the growth of dracaena, the fringed discards the lower leaves, and the remaining ones form a bunch of bright leaves on a single or double trunk. Each leaflet lives about 2 years.
Bordered dracaena, the care of which is quite simple, still requires some attention to itself. The optimum temperature for the growth and development of a plant is considered to be a temperature of + 18–22 ° . In winter, it should not be below +14 ° C. This plant prefers moderate lighting, and in summer it is best to place it in partial shade. Watering is required plentiful, and in the winter - moderate. Despite the fact that the dracaena bordered is a native of the tropics, it prefers moderate humidity. In summer, it is necessary to constantly spray the plant with water. Periodically, a shower should be arranged for him, during which the leaves are refreshed and the dust is washed off from them. Dracaena is very responsive to complex fertilizers. For good growth, she needs regular feeding 1 time in 3 weeks in the summer and spring. It is advisable to carry out foliar top dressing with a mixture of potassium phosphate (0.4 g), ammonium sulfate (0.3 g), potassium nitrate (0.5 g), diluted in 1 liter of water.
Bordered dracaena is propagated by cuttings (stem, apical). They root quite easily and quickly in favorable conditions. The length of the cuttings is at least 10 cm, they should have several healthy kidneys. They are cut off in the spring - summer period, at a temperature above +24 ° C. Sometimes this plant is propagated by shoots.
The best soil for the plant is a mixture of leaf, sod land, humus, sand and peat, taken in equal parts. Dracaena requires good drainage. Adult plants are transplanted every 2-3 years. Young specimens are transplanted annually. This procedure is preferable to carry out in the spring.
Framed dracaena can be damaged by a mealybug, a root bug, which they destroy with the help of special chemicals. Often there is premature falling of leaves or a change in the color of their edges. The cause of this phenomenon, most often, becomes too dry air in the room. Another reason for the darkening of the edges of the leaves can be sparse watering, as well as cold drafts. In pots, the earthen lump should be constantly moistened. When this plant is located in sunny places, dry spots may appear on its leaves. Excessive watering or reduced air temperature can lead to its death. Bordered dracaena is widely used for landscaping both residential premises and offices.