QuestionI broke off a piece of a dracaena marginata (the kind with narrow green leaves with red margins) from a friend's plant. There is about 2 inches of stem with about 8 inches diameter of bushiness; it was a very healthy plant. I want to root it. Do I place it in water til it forms small rootlets or place it directly in soil? Thanks in advance.
Answer Dracaenas have a woody stem, that will not generate roots easily, without the right method. Most propagators use cane cuts.
You will need to cut the cane into a 3 inch length. Pull off the leaves, then cut the rest of the stem off above the lower leaf nodes. Place your little piece of stem, either horizontal, or vertical, with half in the mixture, and half out, (roots will grow from buried nodes, while stems will grow from the nodes exposed to air). The mixture should be equal parts of peat moss and perlite. This mixture needs good drainage, but low nutrients, so that the stem will be moist but not wet, and it will put down roots to search for food. (It is easy to let this mixture get too dry, so check it often, every day.) Water with a misting bottle, to keep the soil from moving when pouring water on it.
Place a plastic bag over it. Do not let the plastic come in contact with the plant. A plastic fast food container also works if it is deep enough to hold the potting mixture. Keep the cutting warm, and provide a humid atmosphere. I use the warmth of the top of the refrigerator for this. Place in soft light until the stem begins to grow, then increase the light. When the plant is growing, transfer to potting soil in a very small container, to grow on.
Be very patient. These plants do not root quickly. Do not be tempted to put it out of the mixture, to check it. You may break tender roots that are starting. I have done this, after many weeks of waiting. I learned that once the roots are broken, they don't come back.
