How to Fertilize Dracaena? Step-By-Step Guide with Tips and Photos

How to Fertilize Dracaena

Fertilizer for dracaena accelerates flower growth, promotes the formation of buds, normalizes development (all stages occur on time). There are different compositions, among them highly specialized and universal ones are noted. Folk remedies are also used, but it is important to use the substances correctly in each of the cases so as not to cause leaf burns and other disorders.

Elements necessary for the Proper Growth of Dracaena

A plant of this species is grown in slightly acidic soils. The soil must contain peat, sand. But if it does not include useful substances, it will not be possible to create suitable conditions for flowering.

Essential components:

  • Nitrogen – promotes growth, greening of leaves.
  • Phosphorus – provides protein synthesis, activates energy metabolism.
  • Potassium is another source of energy for plants. With its deficiency, the resistance of the flower to infections and pests decreases.

Other Equally Important Elements:

  • Calcium – forms the structure of the plant, affects cellular functions, and especially the root system.
  • Magnesium, sulfur, iron – substances that stimulate the process of chlorophyll production. Thanks to them, the respiratory function is supported.
  • Copper – eliminates the cause and consequences of the development of Alternaria.
  • Boron – supports the function of the flower’s conducting system.

Also, the composition of the soil should contain manganese, molybdenum, cobalt, zinc.

How often do you need to Fertilize Dracaena?

How to Fertilize Dracaena

Topdressing should be done during the growing season: from April to the end of August. The timing of fertilization depends on the type of substance. For example, nitrogen-containing mixtures are used at the initial stage of growth. Other types of fertilizers are applied once every 2 weeks. For root dressing, you should choose liquid products. They are used after watering the plant.

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It is enough to water it with a nutrient solution once a month. At this stage, you need to choose a root method for delivering nutrients because spraying the leaves is impractical.

You should pay attention to the external condition of the flower. If dry leaves appear, other signs of a deficiency of nutrients change the feeding scheme for dracaena. Sometimes it is necessary to increase the frequency of fertilization, or vice versa, to decrease.

Signs of a Lack of Nutrition

When the appearance of dracaena changes, according to several signs, it can be assumed which substances are missing:

  • Nitrogen: thinning of the stem, leaves turn yellow and fall off, the plant does not develop.
  • Phosphorus: pigmentation (brown, sometimes red spots are formed).
  • Potassium: first of all, the leaves fall off at the stem base, the plant is often sick.
  • Calcium: young shoots stop developing.
  • Boron: dracaena does not grow due to the pathological process in its upper part (dries up).
  • Magnesium, sulfur, iron: the color of the leaves deteriorate, and such changes soon cover the entire surface of the leaf plate, which makes it possible to immediately distinguish the lack of these substances from signs of infection.

General Rules for Fertilization

How to Fertilize Dracaena

It is important to use top dressing correctly.

The main recommendations for using it at home for better growth:

  • One should apply the first doses of fertilizers to the substrate in March;
  • if you plan to use a complex mixture (containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), choose a dosage of 3: 1: 3, respectively;
  • Excess nitrogen is the cause of the development of infections;
  • You can not use products containing phosphorus;
  • Use just as much water to prepare the working solution as the manufacturer recommends; it is unacceptable to increase or decrease its amount.
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Fertilizers for the growth and Flowering of Dracaena

Mineral and organic matter can be purchased at the store or made by yourself. In both cases, the dose of the components is controlled. The mixtures are alternated.

Ready-made mineral dressings

The most suitable option is special formulations for succulents, ficuses, and decorative deciduous plants. However, One should take care with preparations containing fluoride. Its excess is harmful to dracaena. Examples of complex preparations: “Master,” “Stimul,” “Ideal,” “Giant,” “Hera.”

Organic Blends

Some growers use this type of product, and others only use mineral fertilizers. However, it is better to combine them, and then the plant will receive a sufficient amount of nutrients.

For this, you can use a solution containing animal manure. The recommended ratio of this product to water is 1: 4. The organic fertilizer is left for 3-4 days to infuse. Before use, the resulting concentrate is diluted with water (100 ml per 1.5 l).

Spraying over the Leaves

How to Fertilize Dracaena

The method of spraying the leaves is one of the most effective. It accelerates the elimination of negative processes in diseases caused by a decrease in immunity, nutritional deficiencies. But in this case, the liquid should not be allowed to enter the dracaena sockets. Decay processes may develop.

Home Remedies

How to Fertilize Dracaena

Home remedies recipes to improve the appearance of plants without the need for store-bought formulations:

  • Onion peel decoction: 25 g of raw materials, 1 liter of water. The product is boiled, then cooled. Strain it before use.
  • Infusion based on bananas, citrus fruits. Prepare the peel of 1 banana, 2 oranges. They need to be poured with warm water, enter 2 tbsp. l. Sahara. As soon as the product is ready, it is recommended to use it immediately.
  • Sugar syrup is used to spray dracaena leaves.
  • Ash. It is poured onto the drainage; it is recommended to use this method along with others.
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Errors when Fertilizing Dracaena and their Consequences

If the experience of growing such a flower is not enough, problems may arise:

  • For the treatment of dracaena, the use of any Agricola remedy is not recommended. As a result, the leaves will wither, turn black. If there is no alternative, use only a variety for ficus.
  • Violation of the frequency of fertilization, excessive mineralization contributes to yellowing of the leaves.
  • Fertilizers containing a lot of phosphorus and nitrogen must not be used.

There is no need to rely on the instant effect of the applied fertilizers. In most cases, the condition of the plant improves gradually. In addition, it is not always possible to correctly detect the cause of the pathological process in time.

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