QuestionQUESTION: I bought a little dragon tree for my room a few weeks ago, and I am watering it roughly every week. It is in its original pot with original soil, and has a little pot which the drainage pot is in instead of a dish. It is right in front of my window, though the curtains are often closed. Recently little white spots have appeared on the top soil and I'm worried about my tree. Are they dangerous? I have been gently turning over the top soil and picking them out, but should I?
Thanks,
Mia
ANSWER: Hi Mia,
"Little white spots" on the soil is not very specific and several possibilities come to mind. If the spots are attached to the soil and slightly fuzzy, then it is mold. If they are hard, rough particles, then they may be perlite added to the soil for porosity. If they are soft, squishy white balls, then they are styro beads, also added to the soil for aeration. If they are off-white, hard pellets, then they are timed release fertilizer pellets. If they look like tiny mushrooms, then that is what they are.
All of these are harmless, but mold and mushrooms probably should be removed by scraping them off the surface.
If you could provide a photo or a better description, I could help you better.
Your Dracaena marginata needs to be close to a window that is uncovered throughout the daylight hours. Make sure water is not collecting in the bottom of the outer pot.
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
Tree
QUESTION: Hi, thank you for answering.
They definately weren't there when I bought it. I'm afraid this is the best picture I could get.
AnswerHi Mia,
I cannot see the entire plant, but I do not think it is a dragon tree (Dracaena marginata). It looks more like a Yucca stem.
In any case, that is mold that is growing on the surface of the soil. Clearly, the soil was contaminated with the mold spores before you purchased it and you have now provided the conditions needed for the mold to flourish - primarily constantly damp soil. The plant was grown in poor quality, non-sterile soil because the grower cut corners to save money.
Scrape off all loose soil on the surface until the very tops of the roots are exposed just a bit. Discard that soil and the mold that you remove with it. Then, move your plant to a warm, sunny location with good air circulation. Allow the top inch of soil to become very dry before watering. If any more mold blooms, remove it as soon as you see it. If you keep the soil dry, warm and in sunlight, the mold will die from those conditions.
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
