Question

Dracaena Warneckii   QUESTION: This 12" pot contains 5 dracaena canes, all of which grew from previous plants I had to cut because they grew too tall.  Two years ago I noticed the 3 canes on one side had limp/droopy leaves while the two on the other side were growing normally.  That winter the plant was in an eastern window about a foot away from the electric baseboard but the heat was not turned on often.  

I'm assuming the roots were damaged, but why are only 3 of the plants affected and not all?  Is there anything I can do to help the affected plants produce normal leaves from here on?  Or do I just cut those plants out and discard them?

Thank you!

ANSWER: Hi Lisa,

Although in the photos the stems on one side appear shorter than than others, they do not look wilted or unhealthy. I see no evidence of leaf discoloration that I would expect with root rot.

Separate cuttings do not all take the same way nor do they grow at the same rate. Often, if one side of the plant always faces the light, then the stems closest to the light source will benefit and grow faster and stronger. Likewise, heat or cold on one side of the plant can adversely affect one side.

You can try tugging upward lightly on the stems you are concerned about. If they pull up easily, then that is because the roots have rotted. Otherwise, there is no reason to give up on them.

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

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Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Dracaena Warneckii   QUESTION: Thank you for the quick response.

I just wanted to show you a better picture since it was difficult to see what I was talking about in the first one.

The affected canes are definitely not loose.  The new leaves emerging look normal until they reach a length of about 3-4", then they go limp and droop downwards.

I suppose they were affected by the heat source 2 winters ago, but have not been near heat since, yet newly produced leaves continue to droop.

Can you see the limp leaves better in this picture?
Any additional thoughts?

Thank you so much,
Lisa

Answer
Hi Lisa,

The stems on the right side of the photo appear to have leaves that are slightly thinner, shorter and darker green. Those are all signs of receiving lower light compared to the stems on the other side. You didn't indicate this, but I would guess that the "affected side" is the side farthest from the light source. If so, rotate the plant so that the weaker side faces the window. This will not change already formed leaves, but future new growth leaves will be thicker and less droopy if they emerge in stronger light.

In any case, there is nothing unhealthy about the leaves you are concerned about. Thinner leaves will always droop more then thicker leaves. D. Warneckei's grown in strong direct sun in nurseries have thick, rigid leaves that stand straight out and do not droop or arch at all. So it is all about the light that the leaves are adapted to.

~Will