What to Do When Dracaena reflexa Leaves Turn Yellow in Water Culture? Practical Care Tips Shared
Dracaena reflexa, also called short-leaved dragon tree, loves a hot, humid, semi-shaded environment. It is highly shade-tolerant and afraid of harsh sun exposure. It carries the meaning of longevity and eternal youth.
How to grow Dracaena reflexa in water
1. Other names
Short-leaved dragon tree
2. Habits
It loves a hot, humid, semi-shaded environment. It is highly shade-tolerant and afraid of harsh sun exposure; during the growing period, it is best to spray water frequently on the leaves and surrounding environment. The suitable temperature for growth is 20-28°C, and the winter overwintering temperature should not be lower than 10°C; slightly low temperatures and dry air will both cause the leaf tips to dry out.
3. Ornamental characteristics and applications
Dracaena reflexa is a perennial evergreen shrub or small tree. Its leaves grow loosely in clusters, and the leaf blades are linear or lanceolate, with acuminate tips and entire margins. The leaves are 12-22 cm long and 1.8-3 cm wide, and the leaf color is emerald green and glossy. There are varieties with golden margins and golden centers on the leaves. It is suitable for placement in the living room.
4. Flower language
Longevity, eternal youth.
5. Water culture tips
After washing the roots, change the clean water once every 3-4 days. A few small pieces of charcoal can be added to prevent rot. Do not move the position or change the direction within 10 days. After about 15 days, silvery-white fibrous roots will grow.
After rooting, it is not suitable to change the water; after the water evaporates, only add water in time. Frequent water changes easily cause yellow leaves and withered branches, and root rot.
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; alternatively, dissolve half a tablet of aspirin ground into powder or one tablet of vitamin C in 500 grams of water, and drip in a few drops when adding water, which can keep the leaves emerald green.
What to do when Dracaena reflexa leaves turn yellow
1. Lack of light
If Dracaena reflexa is kept in a shaded environment for a long time during cultivation, without any light, then the leaves cannot get enough sunlight, cannot carry out photosynthesis, and cannot form chlorophyll, so the leaves of Dracaena reflexa will turn yellow.
Control methods:
When yellowing of Dracaena reflexa leaves is caused by a lack of light, then directly supplementing light for Dracaena reflexa is the best and most direct method. Therefore, gradually move Dracaena reflexa from a cool place to a place with light for care, and make sure it sees light every day.
2. Overwatering
During cultivation, if Dracaena reflexa is overwatered, it will cause root rot, which in turn causes the young leaves of Dracaena reflexa to be dark yellow and lusterless.
The old leaves will not be affected, but in severe cases the branches will become thin and yellow-green, and the new shoots will shrivel and stop growing.
Control methods:
This situation is caused by overwatering, so you can take Dracaena reflexa out of the pot and place it in a ventilated, cool place to let the soil ball dry naturally, then put it back in the pot;
Also pay attention to reducing watering; you can water after the potting soil is dry, and do not water if it is not dry. Be sure not to let water accumulate.
3. Too little fertilizer
If Dracaena reflexa is given too little fertilizer, the young leaves of Dracaena reflexa will become lighter in color and gradually turn yellow, while the old leaves of Dracaena reflexa remain relatively normal or gradually turn from green to yellow;
Control methods:
When the leaves of Dracaena reflexa turn yellow due to excessive fertilization, you can check whether the potting soil has hardened. If so, change the soil as soon as possible. Usually apply thin fertilizer frequently and water with some alum water at the appropriate time. Note that fertilizer mainly based on nitrogen fertilizer should be applied.
A gift from Madagascar --- Dracaena reflexa water culture section
Dracaena reflexa is native to Madagascar and is now widely cultivated as a foliage plant. Its leaves are elegant and graceful, and it is highly shade-tolerant, making it very suitable for indoor viewing and also for hydroponic appreciation. It is extremely popular. This type of plant has unusually elegant leaf color and is an excellent indoor foliage plant.How to grow hydroponic Dracaena reflexa:
Remove leaves from the base and cut at a slant
Before putting it into the vase, remove the leaves from the base of the cutting and use a sharp knife to cut the base into a slant, with a smooth cut, so as to increase the area for absorbing water and nutrients. Every 3 to 4 days, change the clean water once. A few small pieces of charcoal can be added to prevent rot. Do not move the position or change the direction within 10 days. After about 15 days, silvery-white fibrous roots will grow.
Change from changing water to adding water
After Dracaena reflexa has rooted, it is not suitable to change the water; after the water evaporates, only add water in time. Frequent water changes easily cause yellow leaves and withered branches. The added water is best well water; if using tap water, store it in a container for one day first. The water should be kept clean and fresh; do not use dirty water, hard water, or water mixed with oil, otherwise root rot will easily occur.
Fertilize in time
For water-cultured Dracaena reflexa, to prevent leggy growth, 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; alternatively, dissolve half a tablet of aspirin ground into powder or one tablet of VC in 500 grams of water, and drip in a few drops when adding water, which can keep the leaves emerald green (no need after roots grow).
Avoid wind
Do not place Dracaena reflexa next to a TV or in places where an air conditioner or electric fan often blows, so as to avoid drying of the leaf tips and leaf margins.
In the north, it is better to buy Dracaena reflexa in spring; after buying it, it immediately enters the suitable growing period. If there is heating in winter, it can also be purchased before the New Year or Spring Festival. For potted plants, choose robust plants with dark green, glossy leaves, bright golden-margin stripes, no dry tips, no bare lower stems, a plant height of under 30 cm, and 3 to 6 branches.
For water culture of various shapes, choose plants with evenly thick stems, graceful shape, and no rot at the base or root system.
How to grow Dracaena reflexa: in the process of cultivating Dracaena reflexa, it is enough to focus on mastering the above few precautions.
Dracaena reflexa | A water-cultured plant suitable for the living room
Other names
Short-leaved dragon tree
Habits
It loves a hot, humid, semi-shaded environment. It is highly shade-tolerant and afraid of harsh sun exposure; during the growing period, it is best to spray water frequently on the leaves and surrounding environment. The suitable temperature for growth is 20-28°C, and the winter overwintering temperature should not be lower than 10°C; slightly low temperatures and dry air will both cause the leaf tips to dry out.
Ornamental characteristics and applications
Dracaena reflexa is a perennial evergreen shrub or small tree. Its leaves grow loosely in clusters, and the leaf blades are linear or lanceolate, with acuminate tips and entire margins. The leaves are 12-22 cm long and 1.8-3 cm wide, and the leaf color is emerald green and glossy. There are varieties with golden margins and golden centers on the leaves. It is suitable for placement in the living room.
Flower language
Longevity, eternal youth.
Water culture tips
After washing the roots, change the clean water once every 3-4 days. A few small pieces of charcoal can be added to prevent rot. Do not move the position or change the direction within 10 days. After about 15 days, silvery-white fibrous roots will grow.
After rooting, it is not suitable to change the water; after the water evaporates, only add water in time. Frequent water changes easily cause yellow leaves and withered branches, and root rot.
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; alternatively, dissolve half a tablet of aspirin ground into powder or one tablet of vitamin C in 500 grams of water, and drip in a few drops when adding water, which can keep the leaves emerald green.