Brazilian Wood Winter Care Methods and Precautions

  Brazilian Wood, originally named fragrant dracaena, is native to the tropical regions of Africa and the Americas. It is a perennial woody foliage plant of the Agavaceae family and the Dracaena genus.
　　
I. Growth Habits
　　
Brazilian Wood has strong adaptability to light. In the north, it can be displayed for ornamental viewing in a dim indoor space for more than a month continuously, and in a bright indoor space it can be kept long-term for viewing. It prefers high temperature, high humidity and a well-ventilated environment. It likes light but also tolerates shade, yet fears scorching sun, and dislikes dryness and drought. It prefers loose, well-drained sandy soil. The suitable growth temperature is 20°C to 28°C. Below 13°C in winter, precautions must be taken against cold damage causing dry, withered leaves. The overwintering temperature is 5°C.
　　
II. Propagation Methods
　　
Brazilian Wood is mostly propagated by cuttings. In the north, April to June is the best season. For large columnar Brazilian Wood, the perennial stem itself contains nutrients and moisture, and the latent buds on the stem have strong regenerative capacity. Due to decorative needs, it can be sawn into stem segments of different lengths for planting, but the tail end of the stem segment should be sealed with paraffin to prevent moisture loss or disease infection, which is especially important in the dry season in the north. Alternatively, select mature, robust stems (not yet lignified), cut off the leafy stem top, cut the upper leaves in half, strip off the lower leaves to expose the stem nodes, each segment about 10 cm to 20 cm, and insert into coarse sand, fine wood shavings or humus soil 3 cm to 4 cm deep. Place the cutting bed in a semi-shaded environment, maintain high humidity, receive 50% to 60% sunlight, at a temperature of 25°C to 30°C. In about 20 days to 30 days, roots and shoots will form, and it can be potted. When stem segments are used as cuttings, rooting is slower, sometimes requiring 2 to 3 months to produce new shoots and roots. Water cuttings and air layering propagation are also possible, but must be carried out at temperatures above 25°C. Water cutting propagation means soaking 1/3 of the stem cutting in water, changing the water once every 3 to 5 days, and adding a small amount of carbendazim aqueous solution for preservation and disinfection, which can promote faster rooting and sprouting.
　　
III. Cultivation and Management
　　
1. Temperature and light. The suitable growth temperature for Brazilian Wood is 20°C to 28°C, the dormancy temperature is 13°C, and the overwintering temperature is 5°C. If the temperature is too low, yellow-brown spots will appear on leaf tips and leaf margins, and in severe cases the tender branches or the entire plant may be damaged by freezing. Therefore, in the northern winter it should be moved into a greenhouse for care. For indoor placement, it should be placed in a spot with light, and the room temperature should preferably be maintained above 6°C to 8°C. When the temperature drops at night, a plastic bag can be put over it to keep it warm. When the sun comes out during the day and the room temperature rises, the plastic bag should be removed promptly to allow heat dissipation and cooling, preventing the plant from being stifled. If there is indoor heating equipment, place the pot farther away to prevent the branches and leaves from being dried out or scorched. Also pay attention to indoor air circulation, but when opening doors and windows, do not let cold wind blow directly on the branches and leaves, and do not casually move it outdoors to sunbathe, in order to prevent cold damage.
　　
Brazilian Wood has a wide range of adaptability to light, but it does not tolerate strong light. Especially the strong sunlight from May to October can cause leaves to turn yellow or leaf tips to scorch. Attention should be paid to shading, and bright scattered light is sufficient. Although it tolerates shade, excessive shading will also make the leaf color dull. This is especially true for variegated varieties, where the markings on the leaf surface easily disappear, reducing ornamental value.
　　
2. Water and humidity. Brazilian Wood does not need much water, but it has relatively high humidity requirements. After potting, water thoroughly to settle the roots, and place it in a brighter indoor area or shade shed for care. The potting soil should be kept moist, and the leaves should be sprayed with water frequently to increase the air humidity of the surrounding environment, but the potting soil should not be allowed to accumulate water, so as to avoid poor ventilation and root rot. During the growing season in spring, summer and autumn in the north, water once every 2 to 3 days on sunny days, and spray the leaves once to twice a day. After late autumn, watering should be controlled, keeping the potting soil slightly moist. In winter, watering should be controlled, and the potting soil should be kept half dry and half moist. Excessive watering will cause root rot and scorched leaves.
　　
3. Soil and fertilizer. Brazilian Wood is suitable for loose, well-drained, fertile river sandy loam rich in humus. For potted Brazilian Wood, garden soil, leaf mold, peat soil and river sand can be mixed in a ratio of 3:2:2:3, or 2/3 dried and finely crushed fertile pond mud mixed evenly with 1/3 coarse river sand can be used as the growing medium. If thick, large stems are chosen for planting, the growing medium can be made by mixing equal parts of vermiculite, peat soil or garden soil and river sand. Potted Brazilian Wood on the market is mostly in fine sandy soil, which producers use to allow the plant to fully develop roots, but long-term use will be detrimental to plant growth. To make the plant grow vigorously, peat soil must be replaced in stages. In addition, Brazilian Wood should be repotted once a year. When repotting, 1/3 of the old soil should be replaced, and new sandy soil should be added. Trim the leaves and stems as well as the aged, withered and scorched leaves on the lower part of the stem. During growth, Brazilian Wood consumes some of its own nutrients. If fertilizer is not applied in time at this point, it will cause insufficient stamina and gradual degeneration. During the growing season, first bury organic fertilizer at the base or edges, then apply liquid fertilizer once every 15 to 20 days, or compound fertilizer once to twice, to ensure lush growth of branches and leaves. Fertilization should be done with dilute fertilizer, and strong fertilizer must be avoided. The fertilization period is from May to October each year. Stop fertilizing in winter and move it indoors to overwinter. For variegated varieties, attention should be paid to reducing the proportion of nitrogen fertilizer when fertilizing, to avoid excessive leaf growth and causing the markings to become dull or even disappear.