Question
I think the couple of plants I am having problems with are variations of dracenas. One looks like a corn plant in the leaves (solid green) but the trunks are slim with no bark. The other is the same but the leaves are green with white stripes. I keep getting round yellow spots in the leaves and the leaves keep rotting from the sides until the entire leaf is almost black. The leaf does not always have the yellow spots to have the rotting happen. I have also found silvery color on the solid green leaves but doesn't seem to rub off. I have tried Orthenex but I have been unable to save any of them and this stuff spreads. I live in Miami Florida so it is hot. They are not in direct sunlight and I water them once a week during the summer and once every two weeks during the winter. Help!

Answer
Hi LuAnna,

The all green plant is probably a Dracaena fragrans or possibly a Dracaena 'Janet Craig.' The one with white stripes is probably a Dracaena 'Warneckei.'

If the leaves are turning black, that is most often an indication of root rot. To be able to determine that I would need you to either e-mail a photo of the entire plant, including the pot, to me at my address below or tell me if you have ever re-potted the plant and also what the height of the plant is and what is the diameter of the pot it is growing in.

Am I correct in assuming that you are keeping these plants indoors where it is a bit cooler or do you have them outside?

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Will Creed