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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    January 16, 2013
    Certified Expert
    A.

    Most container plants need soil up to about an inch or so from the rim of the pot. If it's brown and dry, it may be underwatered. Stick your finger in the soil about an inch down )or up to your first knuckle) and see if it feels moist at all. If it's dry, then give the plant some water. For more information on growing and caring for these plants, this article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/dracaena/dracaena-houseplant-care.htm

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  • Answered by
    sjm1108 on
    January 17, 2013
    A.

    There are many types of Dracaena plants/tress, depending on which is it
    depends. I suggest you find out which one it is google Dracaena.
    I would put the plant in the shower for 15 minutes watering it also soil should be close to top of pot
    hope this helps

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  • Answered by
    theficuswrangler on
    February 10, 2013
    A.

    Ditto returning the plant, it shouldn't have turned brown so fast.
    Some things to consider in the future: find out what kind of dracaena you have, culture is not the same for all of them.

    Carefully analyze soil moisture - dracaenas need to aerate to the point of from slightly moist to barely damp between waterings, depending on the light. Use a wooden dowel of kebob skewer to test the soil all the way down through the pot

    Dracaenas do not need, and do not respond well, to a lot of fertilizing. High light, such as near a south window, only need fertilizer 3 or 4 times a year; low light, that under which you can read, but not easily, don't need any fertilizer, just some fresh soil once a year.

    Please refer to my YouTube Channel for more tips on watering and light -
    http://theficuswrangler.blogspot.com/

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  • Answered by
    AnnsGreeneHaus on
    January 23, 2013
    A.

    I would return the plant for another with assurances this wouldn't happen again. The plant has obviously been stressed by something before you purchased it. Even left if a draft, it would not have turned brown overnight. If you are dead set on keeping it, this article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/dracaena/dracaena-houseplant-care.htm

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  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    February 26, 2013
    Certified Expert
    A.

    There are a number of reasons for yellow leaves on a plant. This article will help with the most common and how to fix them: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/plant-leaves-turn-yellow.htm

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  • Answered by
    AnnsGreeneHaus on
    February 26, 2013
    A.

    summer21, your description sounds like the plants aren't getting enough moisture. If your plants are tropical and inside a normally heated home, they will use and transpire more water than you might imagine. Since most foliage plants like dracena, dieffenbachia, ivy and others don't really have a dormant period, they need the same care year round. When I water, I make sure the plants soilball is saturated completely. Putting just a little water on any plant makes the root system stay near the top of the soil, resulting in a weaker root system. I also use deeper saucers to catch excess water. I leave it there for 12-24 hours before emptying...usually it evaporates or the plant uses it before having to empty.

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  • Answered by
    AnnsGreeneHaus on
    June 2, 2013
    A.

    Without knowing which USDA hardiness zone, I would suggest that the dracaena could be planted outside. However, if temperatures drop below 50*F., your plant won't flourish. If temps drop below 40*F, you will see significant cold stress, and below 30*F., the plant won't survive. Since dracaena's are tropical, they require appropriately warm temperatures. Any plant can tolerate a few hours of temps below their preference, once in a while, but not on a consistent basis.

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  • Answered by
    AnnsGreeneHaus on
    July 9, 2013
    A.

    Dracaena's are notorious for bare stems. Hopefully you have a nice tuft of green leaves at the top of the stem/cane. If so, this is normal, and you can prune the plant. Dracaena's usually put new growth up close to the cut, so make your pruning cut lower than you might think. If you make the cut higher, you haven't reduced the center of gravity which is what you are really trying to do. (Hope this makes sense!) You can put the cut tip into a container of moist soil and it might root in time. Your pruned canes will not show new growth immediately, it might take up to a month. A good fertilizer would help stimulate new growth.

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  • Answered by
    AnnsGreeneHaus on
    August 20, 2013
    A.

    "I feel your pain." This is a common occurrence with the plant. One of the kindest things you can do for yourself and the plant is to give it a good pruning. When I prune, I cut the stems to different lengths, like 1'', 2" and 3". This way, as they branch back out, it's not al at the same height. I usually trim lower than you might think, because, the stem could get top heavy, and start bending. If you have some good, commercial potting soil that your local greenhouse uses, take off 2" of the bottom leaves and stick 7-8 pieces into a 6" pot. Keep the soil slightly moist, and some of the cuttings will root.

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