A Detailed Guide to Hydroponic Cultivation and Fertilization Methods for Dracaena

The name of the Dracaena comes from the fact that once its bark is cut open, it exudes a deep red sap, just like blood. The name Dracaena is bold and distinctive, but in fact the Dracaena has always been a relatively easy plant to grow. Below, the editor will take you through an understanding of the hydroponic method for Dracaena.

How to Grow Dracaena Hydroponically

Obtaining the water cutting:

1. Since Dracaenas vary in size, choose a tall cylindrical glass container for cultivation.

2. Cut off the plant's root section, remove the lower leaves, keeping only the leaves at the top, rinse the plant clean with water, and place it in a cool place to air-dry for a few days.

3. Place the air-dried plant directly into the plant basket, and keep the water in the container below the basket, just enough to touch the roots.

4. Generally it takes 1~2 weeks for new root hairs to appear. Before the root system has grown out, the plant's leaves may be somewhat curled; you can spray the leaves with clean water in the morning and evening until the root system grows out.

Causes of Yellowing Leaves on Dracaena and Solutions

1. Insufficient light

Dracaena likes warm, humid environments with sunlight, and can also tolerate shade. However, if placed in an overly shady environment for a long time, it will also cause the leaves to fade.

Solution: Place the flower pot on a windowsill facing southeast, so that it fully receives sunlight.

2. Temperature too low

Dracaena likes warmth and cannot tolerate severe cold. When the winter temperature drops below 15°C, the Dracaena enters a dormant or semi-dormant state. If the temperature is too low, because the root system cannot absorb enough water, yellow-brown patches will appear on the leaf tips and leaf margins.

Solution: In summer, keep it away from air conditioning to prevent the temperature from being too low and causing physiological disease.

3. Pests and diseases

If the Dracaena shows large areas of yellow leaves falling off, that may be caused by pests and diseases.

Solution: If there is damage from scale insects, you can wipe them clean with a cloth, or directly spray specialized insecticides, such as methidathion, Jiebidie, etc. In addition, the main diseases of Dracaena are anthracnose and leaf spot, which can be sprayed with a 1000-fold dilution of 10% fungicide 401.

4. Unsuitable soil pH

During the care process, Dracaena needs soil with a suitable pH. About every 2 years it needs repotting and soil replacement, in order to give the root system more ample space and nutrients for growth.

Solution: Dracaena likes acidic soil, which can be adjusted with ferrous sulfate, and this can also be used for spraying on the leaf surface. 5. Repotting damages the roots and causes yellow leaves.

During the repotting process of Dracaena, even if you are very careful, the root hairs with absorption functions will be damaged, and it needs a period of time to recover, during which normal care is not possible.

Solution: If you continue to water and fertilize during the recovery period, the damaged root system is prone to rot, which leads to yellowing and falling leaves. If only a few leaves turn yellow, it is generally a normal phenomenon during recovery.

6. Yellowing of new leaves is mainly due to lack of fertilizer

Solution: During the growing period, Dracaena should be fertilized lightly and frequently; no fertilization is needed in winter. Dry and withered leaf tips mean the water was not thoroughly watered; in addition, let it get appropriate sunlight.

7. Yellow leaves caused by improper care

Improper cultivation environment, for example if the Dracaena is in a place with no ventilation, it should be given ventilation and light, and the air humidity (85%) and a relatively high temperature should be maintained. When the air is dry, spray water on the leaf surface, and pay attention to watering, fertilizing and preventing pests and diseases.

How to Fertilize Dracaena

1. When fertilizing Dracaena, the concentration of the fertilizer must not be too strong; it must be applied lightly, and nitrogen fertilizer should not be applied too much; you can apply more potassium fertilizer, phosphorus fertilizer, etc. If too much nitrogen fertilizer is applied, it will cause the leaf veins to be unclear or reduce its ornamental value.

2. In winter, Dracaena enters a dormant period; in this state it will not absorb nutrients, so fertilization can be stopped at this time. But it should be watered appropriately, and the potting soil should not be allowed to become too dry.

3. After successfully planting Dracaena, you should ensure fertilization at least once to twice every two months. While fertilizing, you should also ensure the soil's moisture and good ventilation.

4. The seasons when Dracaena grows most vigorously are spring, summer and autumn, so in these three seasons the amount of fertilization should be increased to let the Dracaena maintain vigorous growth; you can fertilize once every ten-odd days. But be sure to remember that the concentration of the fertilizer should not be too high.

How to Prune Dracaena

Dracaena has two pruning and shaping methods.

1. Prune into a "T"-shaped plant form. The "T"-shaped plant form is one in which leaves only grow at the top of the main stem, with no leaves kept below the top; the whole plant shape resembles the English letter "T", hence the name. Specific operation: make the lower part of the main stem that has lost its leaves into the main stem of the "T" shape, cut flat at an appropriate height of the plant, retain the new branches and leaves growing laterally at the top of the main stem, and remove the lateral buds on the main stem at any time; after a period of time it will take shape.

2. Short truncation to build up branches. This method is suitable for some slender and weak species of Dracaena, such as fine-leaf, colorful, and golden (silver) edge lucky bamboo, etc. These varieties are more than soft and graceful but lack masculine strength, and are not suitable for the "T" shape, so the "short truncation to build up branches" method can be used. That is, for plants that have lost their lower leaves for many years, select and retain 2~3 lateral buds at appropriate positions on the left and right for cultivation; these buds should be at different heights. At the same time, strengthen fertilizer and water management, and before long a full and well-arranged plant shape can be formed.

After reading this article, I think you must have a further understanding of Dracaena. In fact, every plant is the same: as long as we cultivate it with care, it can sprout the tenderest buds, grow the greenest leaves, and bloom the most delicate flowers. To care for a plant, start by understanding its habits and watering and fertilizing it.