Dracanea: The Plant Tip that took a Whole Year to Write

You’re probably asking "Why" this Plant Tip took a whole year to write? Are you a slow writer or what? Let me explain.

I have always been interested in trying different ways of growing plants. It may be a new technique for the area we live, a different method on a variety of plants, or something as simple as a soil blend. Whatever it is - I like tweaking - that is the real secret of learning to grow - experimentation.

While doing some research for the eBook "How to Care for Your Dracaena"  I was investigating the way different growers produce their plants. So I wanted to try a little different production technique not really used in Florida but popular in Hawaii.

I’ve got some Dracaena fragrans "Massangeana" aka Corn plant growing in the ground, along my fence. In early-August of 2001, I began my little experiment by cutting the tops off a few Dracaena plants, stripped the top couple leaves and waiting 6 weeks for new sprouts to develop.

After the 6 weeks had passed, I stripped off all the leaves - the only thing left was some bare stalks and small 6 inch sprouts at the top. I then cut 2 stalks from the plant with a bow saw - one was 5 foot and the other about 3 1/2 foot in length (the smaller stalk was branched). Then it was off to the potting department where I arranged the 2 canes with their spouts positioned towards the front in a 10 inch pot and it was time for the rooting process to begin. Its now mid-September.

Four months pass and in mid-January I’m keeping an eye out on my little Dracaena Massangeana project. January signifies a few things around our home, New Years is over, the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition (TPIE) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is near and most importantly - my daughter’s birthday.

The "Ultimate" Dracaena Care Guide

For her 16th birthday we had a little party and of course needed to do a little decorating which included some new plants inside. I told my wife, "I’ve got the perfect plant a Dracaena Massangeana". Over the 4 months since potting, the plant had grown leaves of about 12-15 inches in size - basically the size you’d normally find in a garden center. The root system was OK but not extensive.

Sometimes I’m just not the sharpest knife in the drawer and it hit me - what a great little experiment. If I follow the information that I put in "How to Care for Your Dracaena" What will the plant look like and how will it be doing in a year? Well let’s forward a year.

The 17th birthday has passed and the Dracaena Massangeana is doing great, inside one year later. It sits right where it started its job indoors in front of an east window which is about 24 by 36 inches.

What has or has not happened to the plant over the last year?

• The plant has matured and the leaves have grown out
• Still in a 10 inch pot
• Root system has matured and filled out the pot but nowhere near ready to repot
• Received NO fertilizer
• Watered on a schedule
• Leaves are cleaned on a regular basis

There you have it the Plant Care tip that has taken a whole year to write. Now we’ll  take a look at - What has or has not happened over the last year to this Dracaena in greater detail.

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