The Latest Dragon Tree Care Methods and Precautions Explained in Detail
The dragon tree, also known as the horse-mule sugarcane tree, narrow-leaf dragon tree, long-flower dragon tree, etc., is an evergreen small shrub of the genus Dracaena in the Asparagaceae family. Its plant form is elegant and tidy, and its leaf shapes and colors are rich and varied. It is an excellent foliage plant for modern interior decoration. Small and medium potted plants can accent a study, living room and bedroom, while medium and large plants can beautify and furnish a hall. Now let us take a look at the dragon tree's care methods and precautions!
The dragon tree's growth habits
The dragon tree likes high temperatures and high humidity, and likes light; with sufficient light, its leaves are brightly colored. It is not cold-tolerant. In winter the temperature should be about 15°C, and the minimum temperature is 5-10°C. If the temperature is too low, because the root system cannot absorb enough water, yellow-brown patches will appear at the leaf tips and leaf margins. The dragon tree likes loose, well-drained soil rich in humus and nutrients. Once the bark is cut, it will exude a deep red sap, like human blood, which is how it got its name. It is mostly distributed in limestone areas at higher altitudes.
The dragon tree's propagation methods
1. Layering: The dragon tree's stems mostly grow upright and produce few branches. After the plant has grown for several years, the leaves at the base fall off and it naturally loses its ornamental value. In this case, air layering can be carried out during the hot and humid season from May to July. After air layering the dragon tree, check at any time whether the medium is dry and replenish water as needed. Generally, after 30 to 40 days of cultivation, new roots appear at the girdled part, and in September to October it can be cut from the mother plant and cultivated separately to become an independently growing plant.
2. Cuttings: The dragon tree is propagated by cuttings from May to June. Before taking cuttings, select a mother plant with high ornamental value and take robust branches that have grown for more than two years, each about 10-20 cm long, with or without leaves. After cuttings are taken, generally in 15 to 20 days the cut surface produces callus tissue, in 25 to 35 days root primordia appear, and in 35 to 40 days new roots sprout. After two months, they can be repotted and transplanted with growing medium.
The dragon tree's care methods
1. Soil: The dragon tree has strong adaptability and does not have high soil requirements, but it will grow better in loose, fertile, slightly acidic soil with good drainage. You can mix loam with high humus content from under pine and cypress trees with river sand and then use it to grow the dragon tree, or you can also use a mixture of river sand and leaf mold.
2. Fertilizer and water: The dragon tree likes loose, fertile medium with good permeability. A soilless cultivation method can be used, with a medium thoroughly mixed from perlite, peat soil and vermiculite. It is clean, sterile, odorless and has good permeability. In soilless cultivation, the most important part of fertilizer and water management is applying nutrient solution. Generally, the number of dragon trees grown in our homes is not large, so there is no need to specially prepare nutrient solution.
3. Light: Although the dragon tree is very shade-tolerant, it also likes sunlight and a warm, humid environment. However, being placed in too shady a place for a long time may also cause its leaves to fade, so it is best to place the pot on a southeast-facing windowsill so that it can fully absorb sunlight. The summer sun is too strong, so move the pot indoors, and especially at noon when the sun is high, be sure to properly shade the dragon tree to prevent its leaves from being scorched.
4. Fertilizing: Fertilize the dragon tree with light fertilizer. When fertilizing, apply less nitrogen fertilizer and more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, to avoid the golden-yellow stripes on the leaves becoming indistinct due to excessive nitrogen fertilizer. Stop fertilizing during the winter dormant period. When growing the dragon tree, it is best to apply ferrous sulfate about once a month, so as to keep the soil pH suitable and ensure the dragon tree grows well.
The dragon tree's precautions
1. The dragon tree is not only very shade-tolerant, but also likes warmth, humidity and sunlight. Therefore, when growing the dragon tree, it is best to place the pot on a southeast-facing windowsill so that it can fully absorb sunlight. In the hot summer, move the pot indoors to prevent the leaves from being scorched.
2. The dragon tree likes warmth and is not tolerant of severe cold. It grows best at temperatures between 20-28°C. If you live in the Yangtze River basin or areas to its south, it is recommended to move the dragon tree indoors after late October, otherwise it will be harmed by early frost. Throughout the winter, it is best to keep the room temperature between 10-20°C.
3. If the dragon tree is grown indoors, it should be placed in a place with sufficient light. If there is no sunlight for a long time, you can also use nighttime lighting and place the dragon tree under a 40-watt light for artificial supplementary lighting, which can also keep the leaves looking beautiful. At night, it is best to place the dragon tree inside the curtains and use thick curtains to block cold air, otherwise it is easily damaged by freezing when winter is too cold.