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by Admin | July 10, 2024 | Indigenous indoor plants | 0 comments
Common name: large-leaved dragon tree
Family: Ruscaceae
Origin: South Africa
Plant description: an evergreen, usually single-stemmed small tree that grows between 2 to 5
metres tall. It is tan-coloured bark marked with leaf scars. The leaves,
crowded near the top of the stems, are glossy green, leathery, strap-shaped,
and slightly drooping, reaching up to 1 meter in length. During summer
(November to February), tall spikes of sweetly scented, tiny, yellow-green
flowers bloom, followed by striking orange berries.
Light and position: prefers shade
Water requirement: medium water requirement (water consistent during the growing season and
less during winter).
Plant care: plant in well-drained fertile soil and composted soil. Keep it out of
direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn. Re-pot only every 18 to 24 months, ideally
during the growing season. When re-potting, choose a pot with good drainage 5 to 10 cm larger than the root ball. The pot will give the plant enough
space to grow.
Pest and diseases: generally disease-free, but look out for snails as they can cause
damage.
Propagation: to grow more Dracaena aletriformis,
use seeds or cuttings. It grows easily from fresh seeds. Remove the sticky,
orange pulp before sowing as it contains a growth inhibitor that will slow germination.
Sow seeds in spring or summer in a compost-rich medium. Place seeds in the shade.
Cuttings should be taken from the stem. Stem or side-shoot cuttings will
root well in a sand/fern fibre mix.
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