In perfect conditions, the Dragon Tree can grow to up to 12 metres with a width of up to 15 metres. In its natural habitat, it can take a decade to reach a little over one metre in height, however, where food and moisture are more readily available, its growth rate may increase. This plant is extremely slow-growing and will remain as a single trunk for around ten to 15 years. Each of these branches will then develop its own head of long, sword-shaped blue-green leaves, adding wonderful elements of movement, sound and texture to any garden. As they age, their trunks thicken, as do the branches that develop at their top. However, despite being a monocotyledon, it still has annual or growth rings.Īs a young plant, they have a woody, palm-like trunk and spiky leaves. The Dragon tree is a monocot with a branching growth pattern that is currently placed in the asparagus family ( Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoidae). Because they will tolerate salty winds, they are also ideal for coastal gardens. & R.S.Almeida: Endemic to the Cape Verde islands.ĭragon trees are succulents and occur naturally in harsh environments. Wild populations in Morocco extend to the southwest Atlas Mountains. ajgal Benabid & Cuzin: Endemic to Morocco. Wild endemic populations today are only known in Tenerife and Madeira after recently going extinct in the wild in Gran Canaria. draco: Endemic to Madeira and Canary Islands. There is considerable genetic variation among these trees and sub-species include: In 1767, he assigned it to the new genus, Dracaena. It was first described in 1762 by Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus as Asparagus draco. The Dragon Tree is native to the Canary Islands, Madeira, Cape Verde and Western Morocco. Its closest living relative is the Dragon Blood Tree of Socotra (Dracaena cinnabari) which is renowned as one of the most beautiful trees in the world. This is a reference to the reddish resinous sap that “bleeds” from the leaves and bark when cut or damaged, that supposedly resembles dragon’s blood. Origins and habitatĪlso known as Drago, the Canary Islands Dragon Tree and the Dragon’s Blood Tree, this sub-tropical plant’s name derives from the Greek word “drakaina”, meaning female dragon. It is an amazing all-rounder! Here is a guide on this tree’s origins, habitat, appearance and how to grow a dragon tree. It is also evergreen, drought-tolerant, can live for hundreds of years, and will grow in warmer as well as cooler climates. It is a stunning specimen tree that is hugely popular with landscapers because of its naturally strong and striking architectural features. Use an indoor plant fertilizer as recommended and watch your new dracaena cuttings take off.There is nothing subtle about the Dragon Tree (Dracaena draco). Water the plant about once a week or when the top inch (2.5 cm.) or so of soil has dried completely. The surest way to kill a dracaena is to over water it. Once it’s potted, find a warm spot for your dracaena, and be sure it gets plenty of indirect light. Use a houseplant potting mix, but add vermiculite or peat moss to improve drainage, and be sure the pot has holes at the bottom. Dracaena tolerates a range of soil types, but drainage is important. Give your cuttings the best possible start to ensure you get big, healthy plants. If your plant does have these stems, you can take off any of them and use the method above for additional dracaena cutting propagation. Not all dracaena will have side stems, and some take many years to branch out. You can use the same basic strategy and remove stems from the side of the plant. With this method you get a new plant, and your old dracaena will start growing again from the cut point. Alternatively, you can dip the end of the cutting in rooting powder and plant it directly in soil. Plant your cutting in soil when the roots have gotten between one and two inches (2.5 to 5 cm.) long. The roots should start to grow quickly, as long as you keep it warm. Place the cut end in water and put it in a warm spot. Cut just below the bunch of leaves at the top of the plant and be sure you get at least one node. One of the simplest is to take off the crown. There is more than one way to propagate dracaena by cuttings. Growing dracaena from cuttings is a great way to rejuvenate an older plant, to get new plants for your home, or to share with friends. Dracaena is one of the most popular of houseplants because it is easy to grow and it comes in numerous varieties, all with stunning foliage.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |