Question

identifiying plant  

plant   I have this beautiful plant, seems very hardy although it is growing so rapidly and I would like to trim it,as you can see by the pics the bottom 2-3 feet have no leaves...is there any way to cut in sections from the top and salvage the new growth ???
thank you for any suggestions or help you can offer!
Thanks,
Lisa

Answer
Hi Lisa,

Your Dracaena 'Janet Craig' is an excellent example of a plant that is well cared for in all ways except pruning. Pruning is what scares most people and is most commonly neglected. So now your plant is in a battle with your ceiling and the ceiling is winning!

Cut off the top section so that the remaining stem is at least 2-3 feet below the ceiling. After the stem is cut it will put out need growth just below the pruning cut and grow upward from there so you want to give it at least a couple of feet of growing room.

The top section that you prune off can be inserted in the soil, at the base of the plant where it should root and grow upward from there. This will help fill out the pot. You may want to cut off the right-angled lower portion of the cutting so it is easier to insert the stem vertically in the soil.

If you cut off a larger section from the top, you can then cut that top cutting into 2 or 3 smaller sections which can then be inserted in the pot. How much you prune off depends primarily on how you want the plant to look when you are finished pruning.

For the future, it is best to prune tall stems as they get to within a foot or so of the ceiling and before the top growth gets distorted from pushing against the ceiling.

I have written articles on pruning and on D. Janet Craig care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who emails a request to me at [email protected].

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