Dracaena Lemon lime - Dragon tree, Century plant

Dracaena Lemon Lime

Origin

The origin of the Dracaena is Africa, Central America and Asia. The Dracaena is also called the Dragon Blood Tree and is an easy to care for houseplant. The houseplant requires little maintenance, can be in partial shade and is therefore very suitable for offices.

Watering

Generally give moderate watering, in the growing period that runs from March to August a little more than in the winter. You can let the soil dry out a little before watering again. However, do not leave the roots in the water, as this causes root rot.

Substrate

If the pot is provided (or you provide it yourself) with a substrate and a water meter, watering is easy! On arrival there is little water in it, fill the pot slowly with water (sometimes wait a while) and you will see that the meter rises automatically. All you have to do is keep an eye on this meter. If you go on holiday, you can fill the pot almost half full (you can see this on the meter that is well above its maximum) and you can safely go 3 weeks away. In addition, it is not a problem if the plants do not get too much water too quickly. The substrate absorbs the water, so if the water meter is at the bottom, the substrate is still moist, but there is no more water at the bottom of the pot. The plant then has more than enough space for 4 summer days.

Spraying

Only spray the Dracaena occasionally to remove dust from the leaves and prevent vermin. Spraying also promotes the quality and decorative value of the houseplant.

Location

The Dracaena thrives well in partial shade and needs a maximum of 2 to 3 hours of sunlight per day. The Dracaena prefers a window on the north, 3 to 4 meters with a window on the east or west and 4 to 5 meters with a window on the south. The more colored Dracaenas such as the Lemon Lime or the Song of India prefer slightly more light.

Minimum temperature

18 ° C during the day

13 ° C at night

Nutrition

The Dracaena does not need much nutrition. After purchase, the Dracaena can still be without food for months. Give food only in the spring or summer. Never give too much this can lead to burning of the roots. Check the package for the correct dosage.

Repotting

It is best to repot a Dracaena once every two years in a larger pot. The best period for repotting is spring or immediately after the plant has been purchased. A larger pot will stimulate growth and the advantage is a larger buffer soil so that the water is spread more and there is less chance of root rot. Always take a pot that is 20 to 25% larger and do not use Hydro pellets on the bottom of the pot. It is best to use a plastic insert cover for large pots.

Leaf damage

If a Dracaena gets discolored leaves, this is probably due to too much water. If there are spots or brown edges on the leaves, the cause is too much light. Curled leaves indicate drought, if you notice this, the plant has been dry for too long in the past or this is the case when you see this.

Pruning

A Dracaena is a relatively slow grower and is best pruning in the fall. The advantage of this is that the plant receives more light and remains more compact. The Dracaena will branch "at every branch where it has been pruned". This gives you a nice full room or office plant. Use a secateurs for this.

Toxic

The Dracaena is a slightly poisonous plant. Eating leaves from some of our four-legged friends can lead to stomach problems.

Diseases

With the thicker and fuller plants, occasionally look at the leaves and stems to see if there are any pests there. Common diseases are shield or aphid. Mealybugs can also occur due to drafts on the plant. Use a biological "or if desired" a chemical pesticide to treat the plants.

The Dracaena is a versatile plant that occurs in many variations.

The Dracaena is known as one of the most air-purifying plants and you often see it in offices or public business premises.