In need of Dracaena experts!!
My Dracaena Fragrans ‘limelight’ is in major decline and I can’t seem to figure out what is causing it!
When you look at the pics, you’ll notice that the bottom portion of the stem is completely bear now. All 9 of the leaves that used to occupy that area died in the same way and whatever happened to them is continuing on to the leaves that are remaining. I have to try to figure this out!
Here’s what’s happening. It started with one leave, it wasn’t quite the oldest leaf one the plant but it was maybe only the 2nd or 3rd from the bottom. The tip started to turn yellow and then black and then eventually it turned the entire leaf black until it would just fall off…once the first leaf started to turn, one by one it started happening to all the others but it was never more than one or two leaves at one time. In other words, whatever is happening it’s r not happening to the entire plant all at once. It seems to be happening from the bottom up through a slow progression.
I’ve had the plant for about three years now with no problem. In fact, it was actually doing really well until this all started about 2 or 3 months ago.
I’ve already repotted it into a smaller pot actually. I added some oats and epsom salt and fresh soil. The roots looked ok as far as root rot but the pot I had it in was def too big so I down sized. I really thought that that would fix the problem so I waited for couple weeks and sure enough, it’s still happening!!! I just don’t understand why!
She sits on a table that’s about 2.5 ft away from a north east facing window but I also have 4 grow lights in different areas all around the plants there to supplement the the lack of natural light. I also have a humidifier going and I used to have a fan for air circulation but it broke and I need to get a new one. She gets gets watered when the sail is dry a little more than half way down the pot which is usually about every 10 days or so give or take a day or two depending on time of year…
Anyone seen this before? Any ideas? Suggestions? I’m all ears!
#HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #PlantTherapy #PlantCorner #Dracaena #Dracaena #GregGang #GreggersSupportingGreggers #Greggers
When you look at the pics, you’ll notice that the bottom portion of the stem is completely bear now. All 9 of the leaves that used to occupy that area died in the same way and whatever happened to them is continuing on to the leaves that are remaining. I have to try to figure this out!
Here’s what’s happening. It started with one leave, it wasn’t quite the oldest leaf one the plant but it was maybe only the 2nd or 3rd from the bottom. The tip started to turn yellow and then black and then eventually it turned the entire leaf black until it would just fall off…once the first leaf started to turn, one by one it started happening to all the others but it was never more than one or two leaves at one time. In other words, whatever is happening it’s r not happening to the entire plant all at once. It seems to be happening from the bottom up through a slow progression.
I’ve had the plant for about three years now with no problem. In fact, it was actually doing really well until this all started about 2 or 3 months ago.
I’ve already repotted it into a smaller pot actually. I added some oats and epsom salt and fresh soil. The roots looked ok as far as root rot but the pot I had it in was def too big so I down sized. I really thought that that would fix the problem so I waited for couple weeks and sure enough, it’s still happening!!! I just don’t understand why!
She sits on a table that’s about 2.5 ft away from a north east facing window but I also have 4 grow lights in different areas all around the plants there to supplement the the lack of natural light. I also have a humidifier going and I used to have a fan for air circulation but it broke and I need to get a new one. She gets gets watered when the sail is dry a little more than half way down the pot which is usually about every 10 days or so give or take a day or two depending on time of year…
Anyone seen this before? Any ideas? Suggestions? I’m all ears!
#HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #PlantTherapy #PlantCorner #Dracaena #Dracaena #GregGang #GreggersSupportingGreggers #Greggers
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Hmm... That doesn't look too good honey. I'm so sorry! It's all stress sometimes with plants isn't it?! 🤦♀️🤣
Unlike Marginata, Fragrans usually have a bushier appearance when they mature (though they can grow up to 6ft indoors... And 15ft outside! Lol 🤣).
Normally I'd suggest you take her out and check her roots, but you've already done that! It does sound like your soil at least WAS retaining too much water... And I would've totally expected to find black/ brown/ squishy/ smelly roots in there somewhere. Though you're obviously careful about when you water her, I would honestly let her dry out cimpletely between waterings (like, all the way to the roots) until the pot feels really light. It does look like an infection...
I've never heard of adding oats to the soil mix! That's a new one for me 😎 but I do have several Dracaena of different types and I have them all in basically the same mix. They like a fast draining, sandy, Loamy substrate so I use Coir, perlite, sand and grit (gravel in the USA? lol terminology is different over here! I said grit to someone once and they just had NO CLUE what I was talking about 🤣) with a handful of activated charcoal (helps against root rot).
How long ago did you repot her? It could be that he benefits of the new soil haven't fully kicked in yet... If the leaf in the picture was already in decline before the repotting (but you maybe just couldn't see it) it could just be a delayed reaction to the issues that were affecting her.
I would probably get a fungicide to spray the soil with (though the new soil she's in would've been sterile when you repotted her, if she carried an infection over it may still be lingering) and that can usually be sprayed on the leaves and stems as well. I would definitely take that badly yellowed leaf off too... I rescued a Marginata about nine months ago that had terrible rot and had only two leaves left on each of his trunk partitions... He's not all the way back to glorious yet, but he's looking like a Marginata again 🤣 they really will bounce back even after some real problems so don't fear too much!
Is she producing new growth whilst all this is happening lower down? Xx
Unlike Marginata, Fragrans usually have a bushier appearance when they mature (though they can grow up to 6ft indoors... And 15ft outside! Lol 🤣).
Normally I'd suggest you take her out and check her roots, but you've already done that! It does sound like your soil at least WAS retaining too much water... And I would've totally expected to find black/ brown/ squishy/ smelly roots in there somewhere. Though you're obviously careful about when you water her, I would honestly let her dry out cimpletely between waterings (like, all the way to the roots) until the pot feels really light. It does look like an infection...
I've never heard of adding oats to the soil mix! That's a new one for me 😎 but I do have several Dracaena of different types and I have them all in basically the same mix. They like a fast draining, sandy, Loamy substrate so I use Coir, perlite, sand and grit (gravel in the USA? lol terminology is different over here! I said grit to someone once and they just had NO CLUE what I was talking about 🤣) with a handful of activated charcoal (helps against root rot).
How long ago did you repot her? It could be that he benefits of the new soil haven't fully kicked in yet... If the leaf in the picture was already in decline before the repotting (but you maybe just couldn't see it) it could just be a delayed reaction to the issues that were affecting her.
I would probably get a fungicide to spray the soil with (though the new soil she's in would've been sterile when you repotted her, if she carried an infection over it may still be lingering) and that can usually be sprayed on the leaves and stems as well. I would definitely take that badly yellowed leaf off too... I rescued a Marginata about nine months ago that had terrible rot and had only two leaves left on each of his trunk partitions... He's not all the way back to glorious yet, but he's looking like a Marginata again 🤣 they really will bounce back even after some real problems so don't fear too much!
Is she producing new growth whilst all this is happening lower down? Xx
I have a Dracaena “Lemon Lime, “ you said, you repotted and checked the roots, so it’s not root rot! Like @JenniB81 I have never added oats and epsom salt to soil. Could it be the water, you are using? Are you using regular tap water, filtered or distilled water. I know from experience, Dracaenas do not like tap water. It contains chemicals and salt which is very sensitive to Dracaenas, maybe by you adding Epsom salt to the soil, plus tap water which has salt in it already, might be causing your plant leaves to darken and fall out.
@SweetAzurebluet
When I first saw this post, I figured you might be responding. Early on, you and I spoke about our Tonado Dracaena. Mine is still stunning. Just yesterday, I smiled at the crisp, bright green colors!!.
When I first saw this post, I figured you might be responding. Early on, you and I spoke about our Tonado Dracaena. Mine is still stunning. Just yesterday, I smiled at the crisp, bright green colors!!.
@plantstate I definitely remember! Your Tonado Dracaena is looking beautiful, healthy and vibrant! Such beautiful plants!! Here is my Rosa!
@SweetAzurebluet they sure do not like my hard tap water here. Once I started using aquarium tap water conditioner every time I water, for everyone, I've seen a marked difference in all my plant babies. This lil baby one shot up in no time 💚 she was droopy and listless before that with no growth.
@SteffyHazPlants Wow, I forgot about water conditioners. Whomever owed plants, I think should use either filtered, distilled or water conditioners. Even with using tap water, the water has to sit out opened for 24 hours to remove some of the chemicals. Your plant is healthy and vibrant.
The symptoms of blackening and falling leaves in your Dracaena, starting from the bottom, may be due to overwatering, root rot, or potentially a fungal infection. Despite repotting, the addition of Epsom salt and oats could be interfering with the plant’s health, as these are not typically recommended for Dracaena care. Another possibility is improper light or temperature conditions. It is recommended to check the soil moisture levels and reduce watering, especially if the soil stays wet for too long. Additionally, ensure that the plant is receiving bright but indirect light and is kept in a stable temperature environment.
@PioneerRutabaga
All my dracaena plants are NOT impressed with light. In the winter, I place them on a shelf that doesn't have a grow light. There's enough light around to keep them happy. However, you've had the plant for so long, are you certain you haven't changed its' environment in some small way?
All my dracaena plants are NOT impressed with light. In the winter, I place them on a shelf that doesn't have a grow light. There's enough light around to keep them happy. However, you've had the plant for so long, are you certain you haven't changed its' environment in some small way?
@PioneerRutabaga
You've had 5he plant so long, is there any small change you made to its' environment? Mine are not fans of grow lights. I stick them on a shelf that doesn't have one. They get enough from other sources. This dilemma is so baffling because you've had it for such a long time without incident. It's hard.
You've had 5he plant so long, is there any small change you made to its' environment? Mine are not fans of grow lights. I stick them on a shelf that doesn't have one. They get enough from other sources. This dilemma is so baffling because you've had it for such a long time without incident. It's hard.
Hi guys!!!
I just wanted to give ya’ll an update on this little lady!!
So while she def took a hit, I’m SO HAPPY to let all of you know that whatever was going on with her, seems to have been taken care of with the repot. The tips are no longer turning brown and then traveling up the length of the leaf and she is putting out new growth!!! So yeah, very happy and relieved.
Unfortunately, what ever was happening to her ended up taking ALL of her lower leaves…lol…she must have lost 14 or 15 of them easily, so…she’s kinda naked from the neck down lol but that’s ok…she made it through and is continuing to grow!!
Thank you to everyone who responded and offered your support and possible solutions. I don’t know where I’d be without my Gregg fam🫶🏻🌱
I just wanted to give ya’ll an update on this little lady!!
So while she def took a hit, I’m SO HAPPY to let all of you know that whatever was going on with her, seems to have been taken care of with the repot. The tips are no longer turning brown and then traveling up the length of the leaf and she is putting out new growth!!! So yeah, very happy and relieved.
Unfortunately, what ever was happening to her ended up taking ALL of her lower leaves…lol…she must have lost 14 or 15 of them easily, so…she’s kinda naked from the neck down lol but that’s ok…she made it through and is continuing to grow!!
Thank you to everyone who responded and offered your support and possible solutions. I don’t know where I’d be without my Gregg fam🫶🏻🌱
Forgot to attach the updated photo…
