Dracena Marginata root rot and propagation
fowlermj
12 years ago
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I've seen several posts and answers on how to deal with root rot and how to deal with propagation of D. Marginata on this forum. I�m dealing with a combination of the two.
I have several DM that have almost total root rot (overwatered by spouse...). Two are nearly 7ft tall and share a pot, the other three are about 4ft tall and share a pot. I've owned them all for about ten years without issue.
After finding out the extent of the root rot I researched online and removed the damaged roots and cut out rot this past Saturday, which left only hard, woody roots. I performed a root hormone warm water bath and repotted in dry potting soil. I�ll be adding a bag and sphagnum moss tonight to help retain moisture.
At this point I wonder if I should cut my losses and attempt to propagate before the stalks begin to rot. I�ve experienced that once before with another dracaena, and am worried that once I realize it�s happening it will be too late to propagate successfully.
I have not had experience propagating but have read many posts on this site and others about air layering and using cut stalks of dracaena. I actually had intended to do this at some point with all 6 of these plants � they�re quite leggy � but had not worked up the courage to hack at plants I�m sentimentally attached to. However, given the dire circumstances it doesn�t seem like such a bad option.
Questions:
- Would cuttings (or attempts at air layering) from a dracaena suffering such extensive root rot (and now losing leaves from the bottom up at the rate of several per day) have enough energy to survive?
- Or does it make more sense to hold off for several days/a few weeks to see if the plant can re-root and recover in its current state?
I�d hate to wait too long hoping for a recovery only to find out I could have propagated if only I�d made the decision to cut/air layer sooner.
Thanks in advance!
birdsnblooms
fowlermjOriginal Author
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