Question
Hi Will

I have had a dracaena marginata for nearly two years in a self watering system. Over the last few months, the plant has been browning at the tips and curling. Only one stem seems to be growing normally. The other two taller stems are all showing drooping leaves. The soil seems never to dry out completely even after I have stopped watering for months. Should I try to remove the plant and check for root rot? If I do what should I do with those that are showing root rot - do I just cut the mushy roots away and put them back into the pot and same soil? I haven't got any spare compost left. Appreciate any advice as I really want to resurrect this plant.

Answer
Hi Audrey,

Your tentative diagnosis of root rot is probably correct. Marginatas do not do well on most  self-watering systems, especially as the plant ages and its water requirements are reduced. The fact that the soil does not dry out after a long period of time also suggests that the plant may be in a pot that is too big or that the roots are virtually non-existent at this point.

I have to tell you that once the symptoms of root rot appear on Marginatas it is almost always too late. You can stop watering altogether and empty the water reservoir and allow the soil to dry out halfway deep into the pot before adding any water. The other more radical alternative is to unpot the plant, carefully remove any excess soil and roots that are soft and mushy and dark. If you do not find any healthy roots, then the plant will not recover.

If you do find some health roots, leave them and only the soil that is in direct contact with them. Do NOT rinse away all the soil. Repot the plant into the smallest post that the reduced root system and a small quantity of soil will fit into. You can use the same soil afer it has dried out some. The goal is to reduce the volume of soil so that it will dry out more quickly and stop the root rot.

Good luck with this, but I do suspect the odds are against recovery.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at:
A link to HorticulturalHelp.com

or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
 
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com