Question
QUESTION: Will,
I need to repot this plant.  So it would be good for me to know what kind of plant it is and what kind of soil, water, etc it needs to survive.  I brought it home from the office 4 yrs ago cause they were going to throw it out due to dry dead leaves... probably due to over watering.  Doing fine now, and has grown a lot.  So any help would be appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi Jim,

Thanks for the photo. Your plant is a Dracaena 'Janet Craig.' It does best in bright indirect light. Allow the top surface of the rootball to dry out a bit in between thorough waterings.

I cannot see the pot in the photo, but mature 'Janet Craigs' rarely need repotting. Be sure not to go up more than one pot size.

You might consider pruning off brown patches on leaves.

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

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]



Hi Jim,

I am happy to help, but I need a photo. Email it to me at [email protected].

Will Creed

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

QUESTION: Will
Thanks for identifing the plant.  However, after your comment on repoting, I thought I would ask you opinion on the repoting.  The existing pot is 13' across and 9" deep and it was setting inside another larger pot.  If you note on the new photo just sent of the existing pot,  the root grew outside the planted pot and inside the second pot.  So I was thinking that the roots would be better inside the pot; thus the repoting.

I had a hard time finding a larger pot that wasn't too large. I found this new replacement pot but it is 14" across and 14" deep.  Should I repot?

IF yes, I will need more soil, so what kind of soil will this Dracaena need.

Appreciate your advise,

Thanks so much for your help,

Jim
Photos sent separately to [email protected].

Answer
Hi Jim,

I haven't received the second batch of photos.

The presence of one or a few roots wandering out of a drainage hole does not necessarily mean it needs a larger pot. It may need nothing more than to have that wandering root cut off. That will not harm the plant.

If there is a large mass of roots at the bottom of the rootball, then loosen it and consider moving the plant to the larger pot by adding an inch or two or soil to the bottom of the new pot and then filling in the sides around the rootball. Do NOT add any soil on top of the existing rootball even though it may sit very low in the pot.

~Will