How to Prune Dracaena reflexa for a Beautiful Shape? Detailed Propagation Methods

Dracaena reflexa is a common potted plant for the home. Because of its distinctive leaf shape, many people like it very much. But if you want it to look even better, pruning is a necessary step. Pruning is not something you can just do casually, though - there is a lot of know-how and skill involved. Let's take a look at its pruning methods below.

How to Prune Dracaena reflexa for a Beautiful Shape

1. Prune a Dracaena reflexa that is more than one year old and growing well. The purpose is to adjust the plant's shape, cut off diseased and weak branches, increase tillering, encourage more branching, manage its growth, and make the crown more beautiful. Two weeks before deciding to prune, apply a shallow layer of fertilizer to the potting soil and water normally.

2. Observe the entire crown and determine which branches to prune. The branch to prune here is the one on the left, because its growth is noticeably poorer than the others, the branches and leaves at its top are small and weak, and its growth has been slow for nearly a month, affecting the overall shape of the crown.

3. Use scissors to cut the branch 6 to 8 cm from the tip. After cutting, wrap and seal the cut with adhesive tape, in order to prevent water loss and reduce harm to the plant.

4. The cut branch can be used to grow a new branch by water propagation. The method is to place the cut branch in a container, fill it with water, and at first change the water every two days. After root buds appear, only add water and do not change it, until the buds are all out and strong, then plant it into potting soil.

5. Use plastic string to secure, pull, and shape the entire crown. In this step, you can design the pulling according to your preferred shape, as long as it does not harm the plant.

Propagation Methods for Dracaena reflexa

1. Cutting propagation

Cutting propagation can be carried out from March to May. Take healthy, mature branches of the current year and cut them into 8-10 cm lengths. Keep 3-4 buds on hard stems and 3-4 leaves on soft shoots. Use a well-drained, sterilized, loose sandy loam or peat soil as the bed soil. After inserting the cuttings, cover them with an 80% shade net and water thoroughly.

Afterward, spray water 1-2 times a day for 3-5 minutes each time, and roots will form in about 30-35 days. If you use a 400-fold dilution of "Root Sun" rooting agent mixed with yellow mud to make a slurry, dip the cut end of the cuttings into the slurry, and after treatment, wait for the slurry to dry before inserting them into the seedling bed. When inserting into the seedling bed, first make holes with a stick and then insert the seedlings, to prevent the yellow mud slurry from coming off the cuttings and affecting rooting. Roots can form in about 20-25 days after insertion.

2. Seed propagation

Seed propagation is suitable in spring or summer. Before sowing, the soil and seeds must undergo strict disinfection treatment to prevent pests and diseases during the growing period. The soil should be disinfected with 70% thiophanate-methyl, and at the same time 90% trichlorfon should be used to kill soil insects. Seeds can be sown as soon as they are collected, or stored until spring or summer before sowing.

How to Grow Dracaena reflexa in Water

1. Remove leaves from the base and cut a slanted opening

Before putting it in a vase, remove the leaves from the base of the cutting, and use a sharp knife to cut the base into a slanted opening. The cut should be smooth, to increase the area for absorbing water and nutrients. Change the clean water every 3 to 4 days. You can put in a few small pieces of charcoal to prevent rot. Do not move the position or change the direction within 10 days. In about 15 days, silvery-white fibrous roots will grow.

2. Change from changing water to adding water

After Dracaena reflexa has rooted, it should not have its water changed. After the water evaporates, you should only add water in time. Frequent water changes can easily cause yellow leaves and wilting branches. The added water is best if it is well water. If using tap water, first store it in a container for one day. The water should remain clean and fresh. Do not use dirty water, hard water, or water mixed with oil, otherwise the roots will easily rot.

3. Fertilize in time

To prevent leggy growth in water-grown Dracaena reflexa, do not apply chemical fertilizer. It is best to inject a few drops of brandy into the bottle about every 3 weeks and add a small amount of nutrient solution. You can also dissolve half a tablet of aspirin crushed into powder or one tablet of Vc in 500 grams of water, and drip in a few drops when adding water. This can keep the leaves green (no need to do this after roots have grown).

Notes on Water Propagation

Avoid wind: Do not place Dracaena reflexa next to a television or in places where an air conditioner or electric fan often blows on it, to avoid the leaf tips and leaf edges drying up.

So Dracaena reflexa can be grown not only in soil but also in water, and the water propagation method is also relatively simple. More importantly, water-grown Dracaena reflexa has a different kind of charm. However, when growing Dracaena reflexa in water, you need to pay special attention not to let it be exposed to wind, otherwise its growth will be affected and the leaves will dry up and die.