Question
Hello Darlene,

I have had this Dracaena Fragrans for about 10 years. It did not do well outdoors when I got, it so I have been keeping it indoors next to a south facing window. So a couple of days ago I noticed that it started flowering. Now I am interested to try and pollinate the flowers and collect the seeds and plant them.

Can you tell me how and when to pollinate the flowers, collect the seeds and later under which conditions to plant them?

Thank you

Mike

Answer
Mike,

An interiorscape consultant sheds a little more light on flowering Dracaeanas. She says they usually flower because they抳e been exposed to temperatures below 50-55 F for prolonged periods of time.(I also found info that says they flower in response to abnormally bright light such as your's receives from setting in front of the south facing window.) We usually do recommend cutting off the flowers. They can drip nectar which can stain or ruin whatever carpeting or furniture is underneath. And the nectar can attract ants or other insects since it抯 very sweet.

We also usually recommend cutting the head of foliage back down to the cane once it抯 flowered with a pair of sharp pruners. Otherwise the new growth will grow crooked and ruin the overall look of the plant. You can score the cane above one of the bumps near the top, there抯 a bud underneath, and it will sprout out into a new head within a couple of months.

I have not had experience with trying to pollinate the flowers but I know the flowers open most fully at night and that is when the flowers exude a very strong scent to attract moths that polinate them in their native jungle homes. So I reccommend that you pollinate it at night when the flowers first seem wide open.

One website advised to bag the seedheads to capture ripening seed. Allow the pods to dry on plant; then break open to collect seeds. The seed does not store well; sow it as soon as it is harvessted. Cover barely with fine soil and keep the surface of the soil lightly moist.

Good luck with your project.

Darlene