Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
karlawithak_gw

Giant Dracena Marginata care

karlawithak
10 years ago

Purchased 3 10+ feet tall Dragon Plants from craigslist . These are over 40 years old. I had them outside until a week ago. There are some yellow leaves but I have read that lower yellow on each shoot is normal for growth. I want to be sure I am watering enough and giving them good care. Do these look normal? Any helpful hints? They are in a 22 inch wide pot and seem to be packed in there. I think they were repotted some time ago - at least a year maybe two. Should I repot? With the soil so deep how do I know when it�s ready to water? Also, during the summer some of the tips turned brown and dry.

Comments (3)

  • birdsnblooms
    10 years ago

    Karla......WOW!!!

    Your Dracaena marginata is huge. Soon it'll reach the ceiling. Hope you have another spot with higher ceilings.

    This is how I grow mine. In summer, my marginata is grown like a tropical...during winter, it's cared for as a succulent.

    Did you mention the material of its container? Clay, plastic?

    Watering shouldn't be done by schedule.

    There's two ways to test soil. Insert a long, thin stick deep within soil, to the bottom. If stick comes out clean, without soil/mud, give it a drink.
    If stick comes out wet/muddy, don't water.. Re-test 4 or so days later.

    The second way to test soil might be more difficult since your tree is gigantic.

    Lift the entire pot. lol.
    I weight 110-119lbs, depending on time of year..when I worked at a plant store, I lifted trees twice my weight. It was a 'x'itch lifting ceramic, self-watering 20" containers.

    If the container feels light, it's probably dry. The thing is, you'd have to check weight after watering to compare.

    I wouldn't repot yet. Wait until spring. For one, it'll be less messy if done outside.

    I don't know your location, but here in IL, Dracaena's slow down growth this time of year.
    Another reason not to pot.

    'Some of the tips turned brown and dry.'

    Did the previous owners keep marginata in or outdoors?
    It's possible leaves browned and/or dried because it wasn't used to sun.
    Even if your tree was in shade, it probably got more light than accustomed.
    Also, being outside, Dracs need more water. I'd have used at least 1-gallon per drink.
    More, if roots are tight and water runs through.

    Which direction is window facing?

    Anyway, your Drac is beautiful..can't believe you found it on Craigslist. I'm afraid to buy from CL's since the movie came out..lol.

    Good luck, Toni

  • karlawithak
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Thanks for the response! I donâÂÂt know the movie but I think we had a craigslist killer in Philly.
    The window is North. They were on a deck facing west for half the summer. Lots of sun. The family I bought them from kept them in the yard during summer but it was a shady yard. I thought the water comes out quickly for a big container (plastic terra cotta look planter 22 inches) so the tight roots you mentioned are probably the case.

    I will be posting many more questions. Lowes discounts all their ugly/dying stuff so I have gone on a few sprees.

  • birdsnblooms
    10 years ago

    Phillip Markoff was jailed and committed suicide in a MA prison.
    I didn't know there was a second or copycat Craigslist kller
    Yikes!!

    See how your marginata does in the north window. It 'might' need a brighter window during winter.

    Post away. That's one reason we'e here. To ask questions, give advice and look at others' plants. Toni

Sponsored
Hoppy Design & Build
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars9 Reviews
Northern VA Award-Winning Deck ,Patio, & Landscape Design Build Firm