Dracaena Fragrans: care and reproduction

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Fragrant dracaena ( Dracaena fragrans) , also called dracaena fragrans, is a species of shrubs from the genus dracaena , naturally growing in the tropics of West and East Africa. Due to its unpretentiousness and spectacular appearance, it is widely used to decorate residential and office premises.

Dracaena fragrant (tree of happiness): general information

Fragrant dracaena is an evergreen ornamental leafy plant, with a long, sometimes branched stem. Under natural conditions, growing up to 6 m, in room culture – no higher than 1 – 2 m.

The leaves are glossy, arcuately curved, large, can reach a length of 60 cm, a width of 10 cm, their color is green, plain or with a variety of stripes or a border of light green, white, yellow. On both sides of the leaf plate, slightly wavy along the edges, the central vein is clearly distinguished.

A characteristic feature of the plant that gave the name to the species (“fragrans” in translation means “aroma” or “fragrance”) is a strong aroma emitted by white or light green small flowers, and reminiscent of the smell of freshly cut grass. Flowers bloom on a long, up to 90 cm, peduncle growing from the center of the rosette, formed into small fluffy inflorescences, attract pollinators, insects and small hummingbirds with an intense smell. Like all dracaena, it does not bloom or rarely blooms in room culture.

Dracaena Fragrant in the photo

As the stem grows, it becomes bare, and, as can be seen in the photo below, fragrant dracaena takes on an exotic look of a palm tree with a bunch of wide glossy leaves at the top. In room conditions, the trunk is unstable, requires support.

Among amateur flower growers, another name for fragrant dracaena, the tree of happiness, is common. It is under this name that in the resorts of the Black Sea coast they often sell souvenirs in the form of a log, with paraffin-coated sections, from which, if you follow the attached instructions, you can really grow room dracaena fragrans.

Common varieties of dracaena fragrans with a photo

This species has long been grown as a home flower, there are many varieties of different sizes and colors of leaves, both plain and variegated, with colored stripes and edging of leaf blades. Most often in indoor floriculture are grown:

Dracaena fragrans Massangeana , a large bush up to 1.5 m high, growing in the form of a palm tree with decorative variegated leaves, decorated with a wide yellow stripe in the center and smaller ones along the edge;

Dracaena fragrans Compacta is distinguished by its compact size, shortened stem and uniform dark green color of the leaves, formed into a dense bunch. There is a variety compacta variegata, with longitudinal yellow stripes. Solid representatives of the variety are valued for their ability to grow in low light conditions.

Dracaena fragrans Victoria , with golden yellow wide stripes, along the edge of the sheet.

Dracaena fragrans Lindeni with wide white stripes and dark green Rotiana with narrow stripes of white or yellowish color along the edge of the leaf plates.

Less common are dracaena fragrans Lemon Lime, Kanzi and Supraise, with bright striped leaves, the latter variety is especially compact, not exceeding 20 cm in height.

More photos of dracaena fragrans of some of the described varieties:

Lemon Lime in the photo

Kanzi in the photo

Suprise in the photo

Care and reproduction of fragrant dracaena (fragrans) in the photo

The plant is quite unpretentious, but for successful cultivation requires compliance with certain rules of care. Dracaena fragrans is more tolerant of low light than other species. Varieties with dark green monophonic leaves grow well in the shade, but variegated forms lose their color brightness under such conditions. Optimal for a flower is bright diffused light without direct sunlight, location near the eastern or even southern windows, covered with a thin curtain. With an excess of sun, the leaves turn yellow, the variegated color turns pale.

This species in the summer can be taken out into the open air, protecting it from drafts and direct sunlight. The temperature favorable for growth and development is from 19 to 25 ° C; in winter, the flower can withstand its decrease to +10 ° C.

Dracaena care in the photo

The culture is demanding on air humidity, requires daily spraying with water at room temperature, which will prevent yellowing of the tips of the leaves. If it is impossible to carry out spraying, the plants are placed on a pallet with wet pebbles, where water is regularly added. To preserve the decorative effect, damaged tips can be trimmed.

To remove dust, it is necessary to wipe the plant with a damp sponge throughout the year; for the same purpose, a warm shower is given to it. All dracaenas do not tolerate leaves polishing agents; representatives of this species can occasionally, no more than 1 time in 2 months, polish them using folk remedies (for example, alcohol, diluted citric acid, glycerin). It is impossible to polish young, growing leaves, expose the flower to the sun after the procedure in order to avoid burns.

Watering should be regular, the culture needs to maintain a constant humidity of the earthen coma, while it does not tolerate overflow and stagnant water. Usually it is enough to water the plant 2 times a week in summer and once every 10-12 days in winter. Overdrying of the substrate is also unacceptable, if a high temperature is maintained in the room in winter, it is better to increase the frequency of watering. It is useful to loosen the top layer of the substrate once a month, which has a beneficial effect on the root system, increasing air access to it.

The flower is fed throughout the year, using complex flower or special fertilizers for dracaena and palm trees, twice a month in summer, monthly in winter, half the dose. Fertilizers should contain a minimum amount of phosphorus, since this element is usually accompanied by fluorine, which the plant does not tolerate.

Transplantation is carried out no more than once every 2 years for young specimens, at 3-4 years for older ones. For large trees, it is enough to replace the topsoil. Transshipment is used to protect the root system from damage. The plant must be provided with good drainage, a special soil for palms and dracaena is recommended, to which you can add some sand, as well as pieces of coal and brick chips.

Pruning is done to limit growth and crown formation. The top is cut so that 4-5 leaves remain on the trunk. To stimulate the formation of side shoots, the cut point can be covered with polyethylene. After a month, young shoots usually appear, as they grow up, the package is removed.

Reproduction of dracaena in the photo

For propagation of fragrant dracaena, apical cuttings 10-15 cm long or stem segments 5-7 cm long are used. Rooting can be done in a container with water, where activated charcoal is first added to prevent decay processes, or in a moist substrate. The best time for this is spring or late summer.

With the creation of suitable conditions and good care, fragrant dracaena is practically not damaged by pests and diseases, retains its decorative appearance for a long time and can serve as a decoration for any interior .

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