How do you care for a Dracaena Surculosa plant?
How do you care for a Dracaena Surculosa plant?
Gold dust dracaena is a slow-growing evergreen plant of the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family that is normally grown as a house plant.
It is indigenous to western tropical Africa and is recognized for its beautiful variegated leaf and tropical appearance.
Dracaena Surculosa requires a good deal of strong, indirect light to maintain its brilliant speckled coloration. Avoid direct sunlight, since this can cause the leaves to burn.
Weekly watering is recommended throughout the active growing season (spring and summer), to keep the soil wet but never soggy.
Water just when the top of the soil begins to dry up in the winter.
During the growth season, apply a light quantity of fertilizer once or twice a month.
What is the common name of Dracaena Surculosa?
Dracaena Surculosa, also known as Dracaena Gold dust, Japanese Bamboo, Gold Dust Plant, Spotted Leaf Dracaena, is a flowering plant species in the Asparagaceae family endemic to western and west-central equatorial Africa, ranging from Guinea to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Royal Horticultural Society awarded its cultivar ‘Florida Beauty’ the Award of Garden Merit.
When can you repot a Dracaena Surculosa?
You can repot a Dracaena Surculosa plants when the new growth becomes too crowded, the roots have grown all around the pot and Water runs straight through the pot when watering it – without really making the soil wet.
It is recommended to repot a Dracaena Surculosa in a bigger container every two years. Repotting is best done in the spring or shortly after the plant is acquired.
A larger pot stimulates growth and has the advantage of providing a larger buffer soil, which spreads the water more evenly and reduces the risk of root rot.
Always choose a pot that is 20% to 25% larger than the one you are using and avoid using Hydro pellets on the bottom of the pot. For large pots, it is advisable to use a plastic insert cover.
How do you plant Dracaena Surculosa?
Dracaena Surculosa should be planted in a container with well-draining potting soil.
Place it in an area that will receive ample light. It will withstand partial shade, although the coloration on the leaves will be less attractive.
During the growth season, water once or twice a week. In the winter, when the plant is dormant, water less.
Fertilize once a month using an all-purpose indoor plant food throughout the growth season.
Repot the plant in the spring if it has become pot confined. Allow it to sit outside throughout the warmer months, but bring it inside if temps fall below 55 degrees F.
It is only resilient to temperatures below 10 degrees Fahrenheit in zones 10a and above.
Stem cuttings can be used to propagate other plants. Pruning is necessary if the plant becomes leggy. Spider mites, scale, and aphids should all be avoided.
How do you prune a Dracaena Surculosa?
Pruning the plant is generally unnecessary. If you place it in a low-light environment, it may become tall and spindly as it strives for light.
If this is the case, around 1/3 of the main stem can be pruned. This will cause the plant to sprout new growth in the region of the cut, increasing the plant’s bushiness.
Discoloured leaves should be removed to maintain the plant healthy and pest-free. Spider mites, aphids, and scale should all be avoided.
Is Dracaena Surculosa poisonous to dogs?
Surculosa, like many other dracaena species, is slightly harmful to pets. The ASPCA maintains a list of plants that are toxic to dogs and cats.
Toxicity difficulties arise from eating, and reports indicate that symptoms occur with moderate to large amounts of ingestion.
Saponins are found in Dracaena Surculosa. When consumed, these substances may cause hyperactivity, nausea, weariness, and a loss of coordination in animals.
Keep an eye out for stomach pain, an elevated heart rate, and weariness. With cats, begin by looking for pupils who are dilated and drooling. All parts of the plant, including the blooms and berries, are somewhat toxic.
Can you propagate Dracaena Surculosa?
Gold Dust Dracaena may be grown via stem cuttings or division at the start of the growth season.
Propagation of Gold Dust Dracaena from stem cuttings
Take 2-3 inch stem cuttings, dip the bottom cut-end in rooting hormone, and then insert them in wet, well-draining rooting soil.
Wrap the pot in a transparent polythene covering. Arrange the setup in a warm, shady area. Maintain a moist soil environment until the plants are established.
Propagation of Gold Dust Dracaena by division
Remove the Gold Dust Dracaena from its container and divide it into portions by carefully prying apart the roots.
The best time to divide is during the spring or summer, with the pup’s height surpassing 8cm with several mature leaves.
Gently brush away some of the soil to gain better access to the pup’s base (lower stem) where the roots will be housed.
Individually pot the portions in damp soil. Maintain the setup in a cool, shady location and keep the soil moist until new growth appears. Allow sufficient time for the plants to establish before transferring.
Can you plant Dracaena Surculosa outside?
H1b (Hardiness Zone 12) – Can be grown outdoors in a protected position with temperatures above 12°C (54°F) during the summer, but is also good indoors.
If you want to put this plant outside, avoid direct sunlight to avoid sun scorch and dehydration.
How much temperature do Dracaena Surculosa needs?
Dracaena Surculosa originated in Africa, Central America, and Asia. Dracaena, often known as the Dragon Blood Tree, is a low-maintenance houseplant.
The houseplant is low care, tolerates partial shade, and is thus an excellent choice for offices.
Dracaena Surculosa can withstand temperatures ranging from 55 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature range for a residence is 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit. It can withstand temperatures as low as 50 degrees F.
What kind of soil does Dracaena Surculosa need?
Dracaena Surculosa is really a stunning plant. One can easily understand why it is frequently referred to as Dracaena Gold Dust from that photograph.
Dracaena Surculosa is endemic to the rain forests of western tropical Africa. They do so because a well-draining potting soil is critical for the plant’s health.
Dracaena is not fond of damp feet. Reduce watering during the winter months, when the plant is dormant and does not grow much.
How do you care for a dracaena marginata?
When can you repot a Dracaena Sanderiana?
Why my Dracaena Surculosa leaves are has brown tips and yellow edges?
In Gold Dust Dracaena, there are four causes for this. One explanation is dry air; increase humidity by spraying more often or by placing the pot on a moist pebble tray.
Another is underwatering; keep the soil reasonably moist and avoid allowing it to dry up. Additionally, chemical build-up occurs in the soil; use chemical-free water and cleanse the soil periodically to remove salts.
Finally, keep the plant free from chilly draughts.
How much humidity do Dracaena Surculosa needs?
Dracaena Surculosa is a low-maintenance houseplant. The ideal humidity level for a room is around 50%.
Perform a mild hose-down on a monthly basis to moisten the leaves and decrease the amount of dust that settles on the plant.
If your indoor environment is very dry, we propose adding a pebble tray to boost the plant’s local humidity levels.
How much light do Dracaena Surculosa needs?
This house plant thrives in strong, filtered light, which makes it an excellent interior plant. Additionally, it may be tolerant to reduced light requirements. The more light the plant receives, the more variegation there will be in the leaf.
Leaf drop will occur if there is insufficient or excessive light. The plant can tolerate a little more colour and prefers to spend the summer in a shaded, protected location.
Do Dracaena Surculosa flower?
The foliage of this variety of dracaena is glossy green with pointed leaf tips on bamboo like stems.
If the light conditions are favourable, the leaves will be coated in golden dots, earning the plant the popular name “gold dust.” Leaves of the spotted dracaena
Indoors, dracaena Surculosa is notoriously difficult to grow. If you live in a warmer zone where the plants will survive the winter outside, you may be rewarded with fragrant white blossoms and crimson berries.
How do you water Dracaena Surculosa?
As this species requires good levels of light, its soil will dry out rather quickly. Water once the first 1-2 inches of soil dries out to avoid dehydration.
Prolonged droughts combined with lengthy durations in direct sunlight will cause sun scorch and terminal damage to its leaves.
Reduce water levels slightly in the fall and winter months to mimic the dormancy of the plant. Symptoms of inadequate watering include the death of older leaves, slowed growth, yellowed foliage, and wilting.
Yellowed lower leaves, rotting stems, and, in severe cases, wilting with mouldy soil are all signs of over watering. For circumstances in which the base or roots of the tree have rotted.
