Dracaena Fragrant - planting and home care

Dracaena fragrant in the catalogs of florists is designated as dracaena fragrans. It is also known as the dragon flower or the flower of happiness.

What does fragrant dracaena look like, which family it belongs to

The young plant has a bushy shape. Leaves are elongated, up to 60 cm in length, sometimes up to 1 m. Arcuate, leathery, glossy. The width of the leaf plate is 8-10 cm. There are leaves of different shades of green, as well as with stripes of yellow, light green, white. The description of the manufacturer allows you to choose seeds of a variety with ideal characteristics, seedlings that are one hundred percent suitable.

Lateral branches are not formed. As it grows, the stem is covered with bark. At home, it grows to a height of 1.5 m. In its natural environment, it is much more massive. The height often reaches 6 m.

Flowers are collected in panicle inflorescences. Delivers a delicate, sweet aroma. Small berries appear after flowering. The birthplace of the flower is the tropical jungles of Africa, Madagascar. Belongs to evergreens, agave family.

Common varieties

Dracaena fragrans lindenii (Dracaena fragrans lindenii) attracts attention with a contrasting leaf plate. This flower is easily recognizable by its rich green foliage with yellow edging.

On the contrary, the dracaena of the Masangeana variety (dracaena fragrans massangeana) has a yellow plate in the center and dark green at the edges. By placing them side by side, you can create a unique eco-collage.

Dracaena fragrans lemon surprise will add variety to it. Its foliage is almost completely yellow. There is a thin green stripe in the center. The leaf plates are slightly curved towards the stem, rather than towards the ground, as in other varieties, which makes the crown distinctive. The main stem is unevenly colored. Until the moment the brown bark appears, it inspires with marble spots. Dracaena Lemon Lime has leaves directed upwards.

Dracaena Compact, the care of which requires some effort, will delight you with an abundant green color. In addition to the classic version, there is also Dracaena Frag Lemon Compact. Her petals are solid yellow. This feature is liked by many designers and flower growers. There is no need to take risks. This is a strict aesthetics, restrained, classic beauty of a room tree - dracaena Compact.

Choosing between brightness and severity, it is no wonder to get confused. There is also a compromise solution. A feature of Fragrans Warneckii (warneckii) - white-green stripes along the edges of the dark green leaves. Its crown is radically different from all other varieties due not so much to its bright as to its contrasting palette.

Healing properties

In Russia, dracaena has always been called a dragon. The resin of one of the types of dragon tree has been used by healers and artisans for a long time. They knew about her in different parts of the world thanks to such a useful resin.Today it is most actively used in industry, in the production of paints and varnishes. As for the plant Dracaena Fragrans, many of its properties remain a mystery.

Although it is a species of dragon tree, scientists have not found healing minerals in its roots, stem, foliage, flowers, berries. But, like all plants, it contributes to the saturation of the air with light negative ions.

Important: Light negative ions are good for health, ensure the normal flow of oxygen metabolism. In fact, fragrant dracaena performs the same functions as an air ionizer.

It produces phytoncides - a special type of disinfecting volatile molecules that inhibit the growth of spores of fungi and other harmful microorganisms. It also neutralizes the electromagnetic radiation that appears during the operation of household appliances. In other words, it restores the harmony of magnetic fields in the room, prevents the accumulation of dust. Scientists advise placing this tree near a PC or TV. Feng Shui experts say that fragrant dracaena can actually stand anywhere, because it has smooth, large leaves. It stops the vortices of life energy, ready to destroy everything around, fly away to the neighbors. The positive charge is directed to the surrounding space.

Briefly about the history of appearance

The dragon tree grows in mountainous areas. Appeared on Earth in time immemorial, as evidenced by many facts. Only due to the presence of a large number of branches it easily tolerates drought. Nature gave the plant everything it needs to survive in the harsh climate of the mountains, on volcanic soils.

Dracaena of Jamaica has leaves that look like palm branches. She feels great in the sun, tolerates drought and heat. Could grow in the desert.

Fragrant dracaena accumulates rainwater, dew due to wide leathery leaf plates. They also create shade around the bush itself. In case of direct sunlight after rain, burns could theoretically remain on the lush crown. But this is not happening. Such leaves are needed in tropical jungles, where giant trees obscure the sky. Condensation, drops that have fallen due to the wind help the plant to "get drunk". The dense leathery plate seems inedible to many herbivores, it can withstand the weight of reptiles and beetles. The flower is adapted to survive in such an environment. These features, as well as the motley coloration of the foliage, attracted the attention of breeders.

Important:If there is little moisture in the air, the leaves of the fragrant dracaena begin to fade. You can spend a lot of time looking for the reasons and not achieve a good effect. Only after increasing the frequency of spraying will the flower look well-groomed again.

Features of caring for a flower at home

At home, growing fragrant dracaena is not problematic. It is enough to follow the basic rules.

Temperature

In residential premises, as you know, the air temperature in winter in accordance with state standards should not be less than +18. This is an important condition. It is important for humans, pets and indoor flowers. Comfortable for fragrant dracaena is the temperature range from +18 to +22. Thanks to this, it can grow both at home, where it is always warm, at any time of the year, and in a production room, in which the air conditioner is turned on only during the day in winter.

The room where this flower grows should not be hot. The maximum permissible air temperature is +27.

Lighting

Experts recommend using bio-lamps, since fragrant dracaena loves light. Standard lighting may not be enough.

Watering

In order for a fragrant young dracaena to take root, waterlogging of the soil should be avoided. It is desirable to water it often, with a small amount of water - 1-2 times a week.

Spraying

Spraying is an integral part of the care. It is carried out both in winter and in summer, provided that the air temperature is constant.

Humidity

Moderate air humidity is good for human health and suits this flower.

Priming

The best option is black soil or soil with a high peat content, mixed with sand.

Top dressing

Like all dwarf trees, dracaena grows actively only if good nutrition is provided. Fertilizers experts recommend applying once a month. Standard mixes for indoor flowers are used.

Features of care in winter, dormant period

In winter, fragrant dracaena can grow more slowly, responding to environmental changes imperceptible to the owner. Only by eliminating them can the situation be improved. Whether it is worth doing is another question. Many growers believe that indoor flowers also need a dormant period. At this time, natural harmony is restored. Another point of view is also popular. Constant environmental conditions strengthen the immunity of the indoor tree.

When and how it blooms

Only in the second phase of the life cycle do flowers appear. Proper care is a prerequisite.

Types of flowers

The panicle peduncle reaches a length of 1 meter. On it are inflorescences with many miniature flowers of white, light green or yellow.

Flower shapes

Each flower has a bizarre shape - several petals and many stamens. The inflorescences look very elegant, do not merge with the foliage.

Flowering period

In Africa and Madagascar, it blooms in summer. Taking into account the change of the time zone, it can bloom in winter.

Pruning

The fragrant indoor dracaena already after 1-2 years turns into a tall shrub with an increasingly noticeable stem near the ground. Withering leaves should be cut off in a timely manner. This will accelerate growth. The flower will always look great, attract attention.

Important: giving a beautiful shape, you can accidentally destroy the flower. To prevent this from happening, shortening the branches of a young plant, you must leave at least 10 cm of the root part.

How fragrant dracaena multiplies

The following breeding methods are used:

• seed method;
• grafting.

Germinating seeds

Dracaena seeds should be placed in water for a day, after adding a preparation with phytohormones to it to activate natural properties - the degree of germination is small. Epin, gibberellin, analogs are suitable. After such treatment, it is necessary to prepare the soil. It must contain humus, turf and sand. Seeds are sown in late February or early March. The landing tank is left in a room with an air temperature of at least +27. The soil is regularly moistened. Stem, petals will appear in a couple of weeks.

Rooting cuttings

Stem shoots are used for reproduction. Apical cuttings are also suitable. Only adult flowers are selected for the germination of seedlings. Need cuttings 10-15 cm in length. They are placed in water. After 7-14 days, roots appear. Seedlings are placed in pots with soil.

Important:if you put the main plant in a greenhouse or cover a shortened branch with a transparent jar, new buds will appear at the cut site. So you can branch a flower, give it the desired shape, not only multiply.

Air layering

Fragrant dracaena does not release aerial roots, like other plants. But on its trunk there are dormant buds that can wake up, give rise to a sprout, a new branch. Cuttings do not need to be germinated in water. They can be placed vertically in a planting container with soil. Roots will appear in a couple of weeks. After some more time - stems, foliage of a young sprout. The advantage is that the barrel can be shaped.

Cutting off the bark from the branch of the main flower, wrapping it with moss and plastic wrap, you can also get seedlings. Roots will appear soon.The branch can be cut off and immediately planted in the ground.

Transfer

It is recommended to replant an adult plant only when the flowerpot is clearly small. But you shouldn't do it less than once every 4 years.

Possible growing problems and diseases

The flower is thermophilic. This is the main problem that residents of regions with temperate and cold climates have to face.

Important: Once a month, you need to inspect the plant, if warning signs are found, act without delay.

Drops buds and leaves

If Dracaena Fragrans does not bloom, then home care is not optimal. It is necessary to transplant it, replace the soil. If it releases a peduncle, but the berries do not ripen, buds and leaves fall off prematurely, it lacks nutrients. Replacing fertilizers will change the situation.

Leaves turn pale

Dull foliage is a sign of insufficient lighting. By purchasing a bio-lamp for indoor flowers or moving a mini tree to another room, it is easy to eliminate this symptom.

The tips of the leaves dry

Foliage withering around the edges is a sign of frostbite and a lack of vitamins.

The lower leaves fall

The stiffening of the trunk, the growth of the bark is a complex process. It provides for the fall of foliage from the root part of the stem. Growth centers, kidneys seem to fall asleep. Only in the upper part of the dracaena do they remain active. There is no reason to worry about the flower if the leaves of the lower tier are drying. But with profuse wilting, we can talk about a disease, moreover, a serious one. This reaction is typical:

• with too frequent watering;
• if pests attacked the flower.

Having changed the irrigation system, you should carefully study the condition of the stem and leaves. If signs of decay are found, it is necessary to remove the leaves, branches, part of the trunk.

Pests

Aphids, thrips, spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs can settle on fragrant dracaena. As the population grows, specific symptoms will appear:

• bumps on foliage;
• discolored areas, pitted;
• "Lime" spots, white bloom;
• cobweb;
• bent leaves;
• growths on the bark of branches.

These pests are dangerous not only for dracaena, but also for other indoor flowers. Control methods are selected in accordance with the symptoms. Prevention is those activities that are aimed at strengthening the immune system. That is, it is proper watering, soil fertilization, timely transplantation, lighting regulation.

Signs and superstitions

Fragrant dracaena is considered a flower that brings happiness. According to a long-standing African legend, a warrior was sentenced to death for falling in love with a priestess. The high priest summoned the gods. They ordered him to give the young man a chance. He had to sprout a branch in five days. The dracaena branch sprouted exactly on the fifth day. Higher powers allowed young people to live together. Despite the fact that the flower brought happiness then, the power to take good luck remained in it. True or superstition - no one knows.

With the appearance of a mini-tree, a special eco-zone is formed in the room. This is the first thing to consider. She is often noticed by pets rather than homeowners.

Strong, strong fragrant dracaena, whose regular flowering will become a source of happiness, is able to decorate any room. The owner only needs to pick up a beautiful flowerpot, install a partition or glaze the balcony. It is required to fulfill all the conditions of detention so that the dracaena does not get sick.

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