- Possible reasons for problems with the dragon tree
- Water and light as potential dangers
- Sometimes quite radical measures are required
Even as indoor plants, dragon trees can reach a quite remarkable height of up to 2 meters with good care and the associated plant growth. It is therefore understandable that plant lovers would like to use all available means to save these stately specimens if problems arise.
Too much moisture is the dragon tree's worst enemy
Possible reasons for problems with the dragon tree
Compared to some other indoor plants, the dragon tree is quite easy to care for as a type of palm-like bonsai. However, this only applies as long as the special location requirements of this plant are also met. Problems can occur with:
- Locations with dry heating air
- wrong lighting conditions
- "vegetable" sunburn
- incorrectly dosed watering
- insufficient nutrient supply
Symptoms such as drooping or brown-spotted leaves can be the first sign of trouble.
Water and light as potential dangers
If numerous leaves of the dragon tree turn brown or yellow within a very short time, hurry is required. The same applies if the plant substrate in the pot smells unpleasantly putrid. Since dragon trees are rarely attacked by diseases, incoming specimens are usually to blame for care errors. Dragon trees are often placed in locations with too much sunlight and watered excessively in return. Permanent wetness at the roots is one of the greatest dangers for a dragon tree.
Sometimes quite radical measures are required
To prevent the roots from rotting as a result of an oversupply of water, you can repot your dragon tree and switch to so-called hydroponics in a special pot full of clay pebbles (€22.65). If the root ball of a plant has already rotted through irretrievably, the upper part of this dragon tree can sometimes still be saved as a cutting that has been cut off. Conversely, a radical cut right through the "stem" can also stimulate the formation of new shoots.
tips
An ailing dragon tree can be saved with a pruning, especially if this is accompanied by a change to a suitable location and sufficient fertilization.