To set up a leggy dracaena , it is important to understand why the works has become leggy in the first place . Leggy development in dracaena is typically a result of insufficient light and improper pruning . These plants naturally grow magniloquent and upright , but if they do n’t receive enough Inner Light , they will stretch towards the near light source , resulting in a leggy appearance .
1 . Assess the kindling conditions : Dracaenas boom in bright , indirect light . If your plant is not receiving enough light , think move it to a brighter position . avert placing it in direct sunlight as this can sear its leaves . If raw light is limited , you’re able to supplement with artificial grow lights to provide the necessary light intensity .
2 . dress the leggy growth : Once you have plow the lighting consequence , it ’s clip to cut back the leggy stems . you may cut off the peak where it is relatively immature and unseasoned , typically in a 3 to 6 - inch distance . Look for area with sound leafage and fend off cutting too unaired to the base of the flora . Pruning will encourage new growth and help the works retrieve its compact contour .
3 . fix the press cutting for generation : After pruning , dispatch all but a few leaf from the bottom of the cut . This reduces the need for nutrient and water while the plant rise new roots . To heighten root development , souse the bottom 2 inches of the cut in a rooting internal secretion . This will shake root growth and increase the chances of successful propagation .
4 . Select an appropriate rooting spiritualist : Fill a 3 - inch pot with a well - debilitate rooting mixture . A suitable mixture can be made by combining equal component part sand or perlite with peat moss . This will provide adept aeration and moisture retention for the grow root .
5 . Plant the press clipping : Make a small gob in the root mixture and softly place the thinning into it , ensuring the internal secretion - dip portion is covered . steadfastly press the mixture around the cutting to provide constancy . nullify overwatering at this stage as superfluous moisture can hinder root development .
6 . Provide proper guardianship : Place the pot cutting in a warm and humid environs , preferably with temperatures around 70 - 75 ° F ( 21 - 24 ° ascorbic acid ) . Mist the leaves occasionally to leave humidity , but be careful not to exaggerate it to debar fungal issues . Keep the ground slimly moist , but not soggy , by water the plant when the top inch of the grunge finger wry .
7 . Monitor and wait for root ontogenesis : It may take several hebdomad for the cutting to develop roots . During this time , monitor the plant closely and ensure it is receiving adequate light and wet . Once ancestor have formed , you will notice new growth come out from the cutting . At this detail , you may gradually acclimatize the plant to normal growing experimental condition .
By come up to the lighting egress , pruning leggy maturation , and providing proper care , you may efficaciously unsex a leggy dracaena and encourage healthy , succinct growth . Remember that patience is cardinal when propagating plants , so do n’t be discourage if it takes some prison term for your dracaena to recover and thrive .
Caroline Bates
