Dracaena is loved by many connoisseurs of indoor plants. Allocate more than a hundred of its species forms, differing from each other in shape, color of leaves and flowers. Among them is dracaena fragmentrans.
Basic plant information
Dracaena truly awarded the title of one of the most spectacular decorative and deciduous plants. The birthplace of dracaena is considered to be the tropical and subtropical zone of Africa and the islands of Southeast Asia, where almost all species forms of this plant are found.
Translated from Latin, the name of this houseplant sounds like “female dragon”, hence the derivative names: dragon or dragon tree.
Dracaena frarans belongs to the asparagus family.
The main differences between dracaena and cordilina
Often it is possible to hear such a formulation: dracaena - false palma. All due to the fact that this plant is often confused with mini palm trees, yucca, mistakenly refer the plant to the genus cordilin, etc.
Systematic scientists, after conducting a special investigation, managed to find out that dracaena fraphrans and cordilina occupy a completely different position in decorative floriculture, and the easiest way to distinguish them is to look at the roots of plants.
How to distinguish dracaena from cordilina: basic rules
First of all, pay attention to the root system. Dracaena is determined by orange-yellow smooth roots, and cordilin is determined by a thickened white rhizome.
In the form of sitting leaves on the stem: cuttings from the leaves of dracaena are absent. Leaf shape is linear, structure is sinewy, with thick skin.
Depending on the subspecies of the plant, the leaves are collected in small rosettes and form bundles closer to the top of the stem (dracaena marginate) in some, while others are arranged along the entire length of the stem with whorls or spirals (dracaena fragmentrans Lemon lime).
We care for dracaena correctly
The plant is unpretentious. But, as in the care of any houseplants, compliance with certain rules is required.
Dracaena frarans differs in endurance in comparison with other relatives and perfectly tolerates a lack of light. Subspecies with monophonic leaves of dark green color show excellent growth indicators in the shade, but variegated forms quickly lose their bright color. The bright, evenly scattered light from the windows from the south or east is considered optimal.
Important! Due to frequent contact with undistracted sunlight, the leaves of the dracaena turn yellow, and the color becomes paler.
Remember to remove dust from the plant. Do this periodically throughout the year: wipe the leaves with a damp sponge, sometimes arrange a warm shower for dracaena. Means for polishing leaves are not recommended, since plants of this species react poorly to chemistry. Instead of purchased funds, you can use folk: alcohol, diluted citric acid, glycerin, but treat the plant no more than 1-2 times a month.
Important! Polishing of young, growing plants is strictly prohibited.
Choose a place for the plant
Most plant species are gifted by nature with variegated leaves. Such species must be kept in a warm, bright place, providing open access to sunlight, otherwise the plant will become pale. Green-leaf plain dracaenas are placed in a place where light and heat enter, but open sunlight does not pass.
Most gardeners believe that Dracaena fragmentrans Kompakta is a shade-loving plant, but in fact it is not. Strip the flower of the sun and it will begin to fade. Good growth and development of plants contributes to moderate diffused sunlight. Therefore, it is so important in winter to move the dracaena closer to the window so that it receives as much light energy as possible.
We select the optimal temperature
The air temperature in the room where you keep the plant should be moderate. Dracaena fragrance Massangeana feels comfortable at +15 in the summer and tolerates wintering well at + 10-13 degrees Celsius. The optimum temperature is 20-25 degrees (this is the average value). Hardy species of dracaena, such as dragon tree, fragrant, dracaena hooker, can be grown in cold greenhouses. They are not afraid of drafts or cold (they can overwinter at a temperature of +7 degrees Celsius).
Water the plants
Maintain constant substrate moisture in the plant pot, but do not over-moisten it: this can lead to rotting of the roots and the development of pathogenic bacteria. Try not to let the earthen coma dry out. Keeping dracaena in moderate conditions, minimize watering by alternating it with soil drainage. When the temperature rises, spray the plant with water once a day, try to maintain a moist, warm microclimate in the room.
Frequent spraying not only helps to nourish the plant with water and beneficial minerals, but also has a peculiar preventive effect against the spider mite.
When making a warm shower for the plant, do not forget to cover the pot itself, this will help to avoid waterlogging of the substrate.
Fertilize indoor plants
When Dracaena Fragrance Janet is actively growing (the period from April to August), she is fed. They do this systematically, every 14 days, using special complex fertilizers for top dressing. In the cold season, fertilizer is applied 2 times a month.
Transplanted dracaena
As the plants grow, it is transplanted once every 1-2 years, in spring. For transplantation, a large volume pot is used. At the bottom of the tank, artificial drainage is formed from small pebbles or shards, over which an earthen or peat mixture is poured. For dracaena transplantation, it is recommended to use this mixture:
- turf land - ¼;
- sheet land - ¼;
- humus - ¼;
- peat or sand - ¼.
Cut the plant
Pruning dracaena helps form the lush crown of the plant. Almost the entire top is cut off, leaving 4-5 leaves on the trunk.
Important! To stimulate the growth of lateral shoots, the cut can be wrapped with polyethylene.
Propagate Dracaena
A plant that is easy to breed is dracaena fragmentrans. Propagation occurs with the help of apical cuttings, layering, with fragments of stems, which should be rooted in a film-covered soil, maintaining a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.
Methods of reproduction of dracaena fragmentrans
- Using apical cuttings. The upper part of the old plant is cut off, and the apical stalk is rooted. To stimulate plants, phytohormones and pot heating from below are used.
- With the help of air layers appearing in the upper part of the plant. When the dracaena lets out small root shoots, the top is cut off.
- With the help of stem segments. Parts of the stem 5-7 cm long are used as propagation material. The stem cuttings are rooted in the soil mixture, covered with a film, creating a mini-steam room. In such conditions, the stalk is easily rooted.
Disease and pest resistance
Having provided dracaena with complete care, you can not worry that she will get sick.
Plant diseases can be associated with insufficient watering (leaves of an indoor plant dry), with the influence of direct sunlight on the plant (bright white spots appear on the leaves).
Dracaenas are most often affected by a spider mite or scab. Spider mite - small bugs that live at the base of the leaves, on the back side. When affected by a spider mite, the leaves turn yellow, and between them a network of cobwebs forms. Scabies can be recognized by the formation of brown plaques on the underside of the leaves.
An amazing plant, unpretentious in care and hardy, is dracaena fragmentrans. Home care and caring for the plant will help you grow an impressive “tree”. By creating a composition of several types of dracaena, you can create a living tropical corner at home. You can arrange a winter garden if the area of your home allows you to do this, or create a mini-greenhouse on the balcony. No matter where you place green houseplants, your house will look more comfortable, more fun and cleaner, because they not only perform a decorative function, but also clean the air.