How to make dracaena give side shoots. How to cut a dracaena that has grown to the ceiling

Pruning dracaena helps maintain decorative look this plant. For some varieties, it is a mandatory part of care. Let's find out how to trim the dracaena at home so as not to harm it.

Talking about whether it is possible to cut the dracaena sometimes gives rise to disputes among flower growers. In fact, it all depends on the variety: the three most popular treat this procedure differently. Best of all, pruning tolerates surculosa - a variety that looks like a fluffy bush with dark green leaves decorated with spots.

Care for this type of dracaena necessarily includes pruning, which rejuvenates the plant and stimulates the formation of side shoots. Surculose is hardy and well suited for beginners. Fragrant dracaena- high (up to 3.5 m) variety with large wavy leaves. It is recommended rather for professionals, since it is more difficult to form a crown of this variety. Reflexa is a small plant with recurved leaves and branches extending straight from the roots. It looks more like a bush and practically does not need pruning.

When to perform the procedure

The plant is pruned in order to obtain side shoots, and also when it stretches too much: the dracaena that has grown to the ceiling must be cut so that it does not break, especially if the plant has a thin trunk. Mature plants periodically also need rejuvenating pruning. Additional formation of the crown is carried out if it has become too thickened, and the shoots have become deformed or stretched out. Sanitary pruning is also necessary: removal of broken, dried or rotting processes.

What to do if the high dracaena broke? In this case, it must be cut below the broken point and looked after as after normal shaping. Best of all, dracaena tolerates pruning during active movement juices, that is, in spring and summer. The growth hormones that the plant produces at this time ensure the rapid healing of wounds and the formation of new shoots. In winter, the flower is the weakest, besides, its resistance to infections decreases, and pruning can cause it substantial harm. In autumn and winter, it is carried out only in emergency cases, for example, when the stem breaks.

Basic principles

Dracaena is often sold already branched. If you purchased a flower with one shoot (or it was grown on your own from a cutting), you need to cut the dracaena for branching. This should be done some time after the purchase, so that the plant has time to acclimatize. Sleeping buds on the trunk are arranged in a spiral, so a cut in almost any place will lead to the emergence of new shoots. Usually the stem is shortened if it is higher than 30 cm, retreating from the lower leaves 5 cm.

Count so that the tops of the cut dracaena are in a comfortable light zone. Approach the choice of height carefully - the main trunk after trimming no longer grows and forever remains a given height. From the cut top, you can grow a new plant. To do this, the process is dried for two days, then the cut is treated with a growth stimulator and the stem is placed in a pillow of wet sphagnum moss or simply in a container of water. It is recommended to make a mini-greenhouse by covering the sprout plastic bag.

Humidity inside should be at least 75%. We grow new dracaena for a month in a well-lit place (but not in direct sunlight) at a temperature of + 22-25 ° C. When roots appear at the cut site, the shelter can be removed and the plant planted on permanent place. For this breeding method, only smooth and healthy cuttings: any hostess who planted curved sprouts knows that a tree from them turns out to be weakened and ugly.

The trunk of the seedling can be made twisted. To do this, use the fixation of the stems with a wire. If you want to try this design, you need to take it almost immediately after transplanting, since you can only twist young plant.

Step-by-step instruction

To begin, consider how to properly cut the dracaena to branch the crown. To obtain side shoots, use a sharp sterile knife to cut upper part trunk. It is important not to squeeze the cut. Treat the wound with paraffin or wax so that moisture does not evaporate through it. To do this, light a candle and drop the melted paraffin onto the cut (carefully so as not to get on the leaves). If juice has flowed from the wound, first wipe it off with a cotton swab.

Then you need to attach wet sphagnum moss to the top of the stem (except for the cut point) and cover it with a plastic bag. You can additionally treat the top with growth stimulants. The temperature should be maintained at + 24-25 ° C. The moss needs to be re-moistened twice a week.

Some experts admit that you can do without a mini-greenhouse, just spray the leaves and stem more often with a spray bottle. As a rule, the plant begins to form side shoots and branch in about a month. Often, dracaena forms quite a lot of buds, but some of them die, while others stop developing.

After the young sprouts have appeared, the shelter is removed. Often, flower growers have a question: how to update a dracaena that was cut off earlier, but managed to stretch out? In this case, formative pruning is to cut off the tops of unsightly elongated shoots and give the plant a compact and neat appearance. On average, they are shortened, retreating 20-30 cm from the stem. Such a procedure, among other things, will help rejuvenate the plant.

If the branched crown contains deformed sprouts, they must also be removed. At experienced gardeners the method of shortening shoots at different heights is popular, which gives the formed crown a particularly expressive look. All cuts must be sealed with paraffin or wax. Some recommend powdering them charcoal.

An important question: how to cut a diseased dracaena? If the plant is simply weakened, and there are dry or fading leaves on the stems, it should not be touched, because pruning will weaken the palm even more and can kill it. Cut off broken, infected or pest-infested shoots, capturing a little of the healthy part.

Further plant care

After pruning, the plant requires intensive spraying, because at this time the dracaena loses moisture.

But if there are no leaves left on it, watering should be reduced - it will have nothing to evaporate moisture and the roots may rot. From time to time, the plant needs to be rotated so that the light falls on all the shoots and they develop evenly. Secure Dracaena mineral supplements to help her recover faster. Novice flower growers are sometimes interested in why the top of a cut plant dries up.

Perhaps the sealing of the cut was not complete and the palm had evaporated too much moisture. Another problem is top rot (may be caused by infection). In both cases, another cut is made below the diseased or weakened area in compliance with all requirements.

Video "Pruning dracaena"

From this video you will learn how to properly trim the dracaena.

Flower growers can trim the dracaena at home to branch the crown, get side shoots, or reduce the palm tree that has grown to the ceiling. To do this, a specific place is chosen for the cut, so that sleeping kidneys are under it. Only sharp tools are used in the work. After the procedure, the flower is carried out meticulous care. The cut tops are rooted.

Features of pruning dracaena

Dracaena is cut for decorative or sanitary purposes. In the first case, pruning is carried out in order to obtain side shoots and give the crown of the plant a magnificent shape. In the second case, dried branches, rotten old shoots, blackened leaves and shoots damaged by pests or mold parts of the plant are removed.

Separate parts of the flower are removed special tools and in a certain period of growth, otherwise the plant may die.

In winter and summer, broken tops are most often trimmed. Just below the break, make a cut with sharp garden shears or a knife. Smooth edges facilitate healing.

Smooth cut of the trunk

The best time for pruning is in the spring. At this time, the movement of juices is activated, the flower begins to grow rapidly. The plant produces growth hormone, so the wounds after trimming the main trunk will heal quickly. In place of the removed branch, fresh buds form next to the cut, from which strong young shoots will develop.

hatched buds

Tools

Dracaena is a very hardy, unpretentious plant in care. But it can also die if bacteria that cause decay get into the cut of the trunk. It is necessary to carry out the procedure only washed in clean water and disinfected instruments. Any disinfectant solution available on the farm will do:

alcohol;
vodka;
chlorhexidine;
miramistin;
hydrogen peroxide;
cologne.

Wipe the blade of the tool with an antiseptic after each cut. For cutting, take a sharp scalpel, garden pruner, scissors or knife. They try to cut the escape in one movement, so it is very important to have quality tool. The object must be sharply sharpened. Lacerations are difficult to heal and weaken an already stressed plant. In addition, improper pruning leads to deformed shoots. Put on medical or household gloves. Dracaena juice is low toxic, but in some cases it can cause an allergic reaction.

Places of cuts are immediately sprinkled with crushed activated or charcoal. The best remedy considered birch charcoal. It has a pronounced antiseptic and drying properties. Instead of coal, you can use paraffin or garden pitch.

Waxed cut

Softened wax tightly tightens the wound and protects its surface from the penetration of harmful microorganisms. After processing, the cut site is wrapped with wet sphagnum moss. It retains moisture well, and its porous structure will not prevent healthy buds from developing under the cut.

Moss-wrapped, trimmed dracaena trunk

For branching of the plant, the place of the cut may not be sprinkled, then the palm tree must be placed in a plastic bag and create the effect of a greenhouse. Watering is done only in the pan. The air humidity under the polyethylene is kept at 70-80%, the temperature should be 20-25 C. Then after 1-1.5 months the buds will germinate, new shoots will appear. With this method of branching, it must be remembered that the buds can germinate in any part of the trunk, which makes the flower look multi-tiered.

During this period, the palm tree should be nourished with a growth stimulator. The most affordable and well-established drugs are Zircon or Cytokinin paste. Zircon is added to the water when spraying, the paste is carefully applied sharp object on the emerging buds of the plant.

Step by step instructions for removing plant parts

A healthy dracaena bush is pruned from decorative purpose, if:

it has one stem with one rosette of leaves;
shoots stretched out and deformed;
the plant stretched up to 2-2.5 m and its aesthetic beauty was lost;
there is a goal to form a large number of rosettes with leaves on trunks;
I want to propagate palm trees.

The cut is made, retreating 10-15 cm from the top. If you want to get a branched squat flower, pruning is carried out below. Leaning against the ceiling tall plant can be cut to desired height. The only condition is that the remainder of the main trunk after the cut must be at least 25 cm when measured from the ground in a pot. If the plant is less than two years old, you can cut it arbitrarily. The lignification and exposure of the trunk of such a palm tree has not yet begun. Walkthrough on the branching of the palm tree contains the following procedure:

1. First, they examine the trunk and find dormant buds on it. They are clearly expressed over the entire surface and arranged in a spiral.
2. With a glance, they indicate the place of the cut, three kidneys should be clearly visible under it.
3. With the prepared tool, cut off the upper part of the plant, making sure that the cut is smooth.
4. Torn edges are cleaned with a sharp knife.
5. The cut is treated with charcoal or paraffin, wrapped with wet sphagnum or put a flower under polyethylene.
6. Water or spray the plant 1-2 times a week with the addition of growth stimulants to the water. After 1-1.5 months, leaves appear from the buds.

The cut top should not be thrown away. It can become a new palm tree if properly planted. The lower leaves are carefully removed from the cut part, leaving a bare 7 cm stump. The top should dry for 1 hour. After that, proceed to rooting in water. Distilled water is poured into the container room temperature, add the Zircon root (1-2 drops per 1 liter of water) or Kornevin (1 g per 1 liter of water). After the appearance of roots 2-3 cm long, the plants are planted in pots with earth.

Dracaena, or dragon tree, is favorite plant most flower growers. Member of the agave family evergreen shrub dracaena looks like an exotic palm tree. That is why many people like dracaena, with it a piece of beauty comes into the room rainforest. This plant has many benefits. In addition to spectacular appearance, it is also quite resistant, tolerates strong temperature fluctuations well. In temperate climates, some representatives of this family grow outdoors, representing magnificent shrubs or even trees with a thick trunk up to 6 meters high.

Dracaena home

AT room conditions this plant is significantly inferior in size to its distant relatives. Indoor shrub grows in height from 46 to 60 cm. Very often it is confused with cordilina, but dracaena has a more modest color. It is known for its bluish-green, leathery, stiff and xiphoid leaves, which reach a length of 40-50 cm. They do not exceed 2-4 cm in width. Most plants of this species bloom willingly. White or pink flowers collected in paniculate inflorescences. The fruit is a berry.

Types of dracaena

Today we want to tell you how to cut a dracaena. Due to numerous mistakes, the florist often gets an elongated and bare plant instead of a luxurious exotic palm tree. However, before proceeding to the disclosure of the main topic, it should be mentioned which varieties of it we can grow at home, as well as consider the main features of each of them.

What is pruning for?

In fact, this procedure has several functions. Since cutting the dracaena is not particularly difficult, many flower growers perform this procedure as needed when the plant grows so much that it begins to interfere or rest against the ceiling. That is, in this case, cropping is carried out in order to control the height.

However, if it is done incorrectly, the fleshy stem will begin to wither, and our task is not only to preserve decorative properties but also get new shoots. So we smoothly move on to the second function of this procedure - obtaining additional shoot branches, which will not only improve the appearance of the plant, but also serve as a material for propagation.

When to prune

The ideal time is late spring or early summer. It was at this time that the dracaena is actively growing. How to prune for branching, we will now talk in more detail, but for now a few words about seasonality. Florists say that perfect time- this is May and June, at this time the plant is actively growing, and new buds form very quickly near the pruning site.

We can observe this from the outside, but in fact, bud formation is a systemic process that stimulates the formation of growth hormones that help heal the cut and grow a beautiful lush crown.

emergency procedure

Pruning dracaena can sometimes be forced. For example, your plant may break, often helped by pets or naughty children. This can happen in the dead of winter or in autumn when the flower is dormant. In this case, too, do not panic. Carefully cut the trunk below the break, following the instructions we'll get to in a moment. If the dracaena gets good care, then everything will go well. That is, pruning of the dracaena can be done at any time, if necessary.

Cut Height

First of all, focus on the desired end result. Estimate how high you need dracaena. How to cut for branching, we will analyze the main stages of the procedure. So, carefully examine your plant and its future place.

Training

And we continue to talk about how to cut dracaena to get side shoots. Prepare first necessary tools. It should be a sterile scalpel, which must first be held over the fire. In addition, you will need a paraffin candle, a sprayer and sphagnum moss. Don't forget to prepare and loose pots of soil. The cut top can be used for rooting and propagation by cuttings.

Let's start cutting

Since you can prune your dracaena for side shoots at any height, first mark the point where you would like to see branching. Cut the trunk at this level with a quick motion. For now, set aside the cut part and take care of the plant itself. With the same scalpel, cut off all the leaves 10 cm below the cut level.

While you are doing this operation, light a candle to collect the melted paraffin. After trimming, drain the paraffin first on any suitable surface, and then transfer the plastic mass to the cut. Try to close all the pores in the cut with paraffin, but be careful not to burn the plant with too hot composition.

Little tricks

By reading this manual, you have full information how to cut dracaena at home. However, there are little secrets, the knowledge of which will allow you to get lateral processes much faster. First of all, remember that during pruning, the plant loses a lot of moisture. Often this is what prevents the laying of new buds at the top of the hemp. Therefore, immediately after the end of the procedure, spray the stem well with water, this will help restore water balance cells.

To encourage top growth, wrap the stem with damp sphagnum moss and tie it with a rubber band. The harness will need to be removed periodically, check the condition of the shoot and return it back, slightly moistening it.

The section sealed with paraffin should be left outside the wet wrapper, that is, the moss should only be on the sides. Finally, a plastic bag is put on top so that the moisture does not evaporate so quickly. Once every 5-7 days, the package is removed and the condition of the trunk under the strapping is checked. As soon as you notice the kidneys at the top of the trunk, the bag and harness must be removed.

Possible problems

We have told you how to properly prune dracaena, and careful observance of these rules in most cases leads to positive result. However, the disadvantage sunlight, too much low temperature in a room, excess or lack of moisture can seriously harm. most common problem is the rotting of the trunk after trimming. In this case, you will have to carry out the pruning procedure again, and without starting the situation, otherwise the decay will spread too far and destroy the plant.

Grow at home false palm, she’s a dracaena, it won’t work if you don’t know the plant pruning technique. This operation should be carried out regularly - this helps to renew the deciduous part and allows you to prevent or cure plant diseases in time. By pruning, a neatly shaped crown is created, thanks to which the plant decorates any home in such a way.

Dracaena care - general points

Dracaena itself is an undemanding plant in its care, and in many respects because of this it is so common among those who love to deal with flowers. Houses of the Marginata, Godsefa and Dragon Tree varieties take root especially well.

Dracaena has many varieties, most of them are unpretentious in their care.

Table: dracaena content throughout the year

What else you need to know about dracaena:

Before watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil around the trunk well, check to what depth the soil has dried out. If drying has not reached a depth of 2-3 cm, you need to wait with watering. Better to underfill than overwater the plant. Varieties with wide leaves have large area evaporation, therefore, require abundant watering.
Variegated species of dracaena need very good lighting. They will feel more comfortable on the south window. In summer, the dracaena can be taken out into an open room, but protected from the wind and the scorching sun: on a bay window, a balcony, a loggia, a terrace.
Drafts and direct hit sun rays all dracaena are afraid, despite their African origin. Contamination should also be avoided by wiping the leaves with a damp, soft cloth.
For less injury to the plant during transplantation experienced growers use the method of transshipment (transplantation with the preservation of the old soil). Dracaena under the age of 5 years must be replanted every year, then once every two to three years.

Self-pruning dracaena - how to do it right

Pruning in itself is stressful for the plant, and if it is done during a period of pronounced dormancy from October to January inclusive, it is doubly painful. The plant is weakened, the healing of cuts and the appearance of side shoots is much slower, and even the death of the plant is possible during the rehabilitation period. Nevertheless, pruning is necessary, but the best time for this operation - the period from early spring to early autumn, in the growth phase, when the cut sites heal better and faster and dormant buds awaken.

In order not to additionally injure the plant, pruning must be carried out on time and correctly.

There are several reasons for trimming dracaena:

plant aging, the need for rejuvenation;
deformation of the dracaena, the need to give the crown a shape;
propagation of dracaena by transplanting processes;
disease prevention, pest control.

Pruning for side shoots

If you have purchased a young plant with one stem and it is long enough - at least 30 cm to the point of leaf formation - it can be cut back for branching purposes. To do this, 10 cm is cut off from the top of the dracaena. After the procedure, two to five new shoots can form on the trunk. It is customary to leave three strong processes in such a way that they are freely located on the stem.

Pruning for branching

It is carried out in those cases when the leaves of the dracaena crumble and it is necessary to return to her a lush and elegant crown. If there are 2–3 branches on the trunk, the tops of each of them are cut off at the same height, leaving only 2–3 sleeping buds that have hatched.

If you cut the shoots at different heights, you can get a beautiful multi-tiered plant.

How to make dracaena bonsai

Growing dracaena using the bonsai technique is in principle possible, but it is associated with great difficulties. Dracaena grows rapidly, and some of its species have big leaves, so a real dwarf tree will not work out of it - although you can try to imitate Japanese technology.

It will be possible to achieve the desired result if the uniform development of the root system and the deciduous part is ensured.

You need to take a plant with a low trunk (not higher than 30 cm) and a developed crown, take it out of the pot and cut the roots by about a third. Transplant the plant into a suitable flat container with drainage. The root neck remains 1-2 cm above the soil level. After 2-3 weeks, you can begin to form a crown. Pruning the top and side shoots are further operations that are performed as they grow and the desired result. The roots are cut once every two years. To create additional shoots, the so-called tops, lignified shoots are cut off at the very trunk. This procedure contributes to the thickening of the trunk below the cut branches. Excess shoots are removed from the trunk.

Cut the dracaena with a sterile instrument

Take a sterile sharp knife, determine the location of the cut at the desired height, at least 30 cm from the soil on the central trunk and side branches. You need to plan the cut at the level at which the plant will have access to light.
Cut carefully and evenly. Immediately after the operation, treat with garden pitch, melted wax or crushed activated charcoal. This procedure is done so that the inner layer of the trunk does not dry out.
If there are leaves at a distance of 10 cm or more from the cut, remove them to reduce the evaporation area and speed up the growth of side shoots.
For a better awakening of dormant buds, treat the stem at a level of 15 cm from the cut with a growth stimulator. An aqueous solution of epin, charkor, cytokinin paste, etc. is suitable.
Wrap the trunk around the cut by 15 cm with wet moss. The cut remains open.
Cover the plant with a plastic bag to create the required temperature and humidity. The best option: temperature 25 ° C and humidity 75%.
Water the plant abundantly and place in a shady place.

Video: pruning and shaping the dracaena crown

Features of care after pruning

After pruning, the dracaena is watered 2-3 times a week through a pan, since in order to maintain a stable microclimate and until new seedlings appear, the bag is not removed. The stem is sprayed 3-4 times a week with water at room temperature. Moss is moistened once a week, if any, and the trunk is inspected. Immediately after the buds have hatched on the trunk, the cellophane is removed and the pot is transferred to the light.

Material on the methods of propagation of dracaena will also be useful:

Possible clipping issues

After pruning, in some cases, the kidneys do not wake up. It is necessary to re-cut, making cuts a few centimeters lower than the previous ones.
The cut point in one or more areas (central trunk and side shoots) begins to rot. Immediately you need to re-pruning, removing all rotten parts.
Some kidneys are stunted. You can activate their development by spraying the emerging shoots with urea (an aqueous solution of urea - 1 g / l) or make an aqueous solution of a growth regulator by adding microfertilizer (2 drops of epin + 2 drops of cytovit per 250 ml of water). Zircon is more suitable for stimulating flowering. After the procedure, gently blot with a napkin so that the solution does not stagnate in the axils of the shoots and does not cause burns to the plant.

Growing a palm-like plant at home is not difficult - dracaena is undemanding to care for. The owner needs attention and timely watering, proper lighting and timely pruning. .

Many years ago, a tropical guest named dracaena appeared in our homes. A variety of representatives of this genus will satisfy the taste of any plant lover. There are varieties with narrow leaves, medium width or wide, plain or colored, with thin and thicker trunks ... Elegant and graceful, its attractiveness reveals only when proper care and formation. The main difficulty in the formation of dracaena is to cut the plant in such a way as to achieve branching, as well as obtaining side shoots at home.

Features of growing dracaena at home

Dracaena prefer to grow in a well-lit room, and variegated varieties will retain their color in a lighter place, green-leaved ones feel good away from a light source, but not in dense shade.

These plants need to be watered abundantly when it dries out by 3–5 centimeters. upper layer soil. Dracaena do not like waterlogging, but they respond well to crown spraying. Best Temperature for their development: in summer 20–25 °C, in winter 16–18 °C. Dracaena are undemanding to the composition of the soil, but they develop best if the earth mixture consists of turf, sand and peat in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. A layer of drainage is required at the bottom of the pot.

Feed the plant during the growing season every two weeks, alternating a solution of organic and mineral fertilizers. In the cold period of the year, the dracaena begins a period of relative rest. It is necessary to reduce watering and stop fertilizing.

How to prune and reshape a plant

With all the variety of forms and varieties of dracaena, they have common feature: the trunk grows in height and branches extremely rarely.

Why cut dracaena:

to improve the appearance, increase the decorative effect, the dracaena is rejuvenated - the elongated shoots are shortened by pruning. Since the peculiarity of the plant is the fall of the lower leaves of the crown at a fairly rapid growth, often elongated shoots become unsightly (bent, deformed, etc.);
to form a lush crown. Throughout the trunk of the dracaena there are dormant buds that are invisible to us. Removing part of the trunk stimulates the awakening of such buds just under the cut, side shoots will appear from them, which, when they grow up, will increase the mass of leaves. By increasing the number of shoots, a more lush crown is formed;
for growing a multi-stemmed plant and imitation bonsai. In this case, the trunk is cut closer to the ground or at a low height, and then a crown is formed over the years;
to save the plant. If the dracaena fell and broke or fell ill and began to die rapidly, to save at least part of the plant, the tops or parts of the branches are cut and rooted;
for reproduction. Apical and stem, in addition, stem are capable of releasing lateral shoots from dormant buds.

Reasons for cutting a flower

Basically, the owner of the plant relies on his own opinion and taste. If, from your point of view, the dracaena has reached a considerable height, has a bare trunk with a bunch of leaves on top and has lost its former attractiveness, you want to renew and rejuvenate the plant or get a multi-stemmed specimen of the dracaena instead of a single-stem one, then with the help of pruning you can adjust the height of the plant, crown density and all appearance.

When should pruning be done?

There is important rule: this procedure is carried out exclusively on healthy plants and only during the period of active growth - in spring or summer. The fact is that during the growing season, the plant organism produces special substances for the construction of new cells, for the successful healing of wounds. In winter, during low temperatures and reducing the intensity of sunlight, it is very difficult for the plant to endure such stress. And weakened plants can even die.

The only exceptions are emergency cases. For example, when the dracaena is broken or the top (trunk) is damaged (rots), or if it rests with the top against the ceiling, then urgent pruning is allowed. In doing so, it will be necessary to extra attention to care for the plant, so that dormant buds can safely germinate in dracaena.

Any special in-depth knowledge for self-fulfillment no pruning required. It is desirable to simply have an idea of the process.

What will happen if you pinch (stop) the dracaena; is it possible to trim the top, shorten part of the trunk, cut off the leaves?

Some plant lovers unknowingly call docking or pinching the branch of the top of the dracaena. In fact, these plants are not pinched, but cut. They do this in order to subsequently root the part separated from the mother's body and get a new plant.

You can cut off not only the top. Often resort to shortening the trunk. Parts of the trunk 12–15 cm long are capable of producing new shoots from dormant buds.

Dracaena leaves should not be cut. It is in the leaves of plants that substances are formed for the construction of new cells and tissues. Part of the crown is removed only on the cut handle if it is completely leafy.

Imitation bonsai from dracaena

A real bonsai has been grown for decades, it is a kind of art. From the dracaena, with the help of pruning, an imitation of a bonsai is formed, and this process will also take more than one year.

Getting a thick trunk

The main task is to build a thick trunk. Since dracaena trunks grow in thickness rather reluctantly, it is necessary to provide optimal conditions for growth. The first is bright diffused light, the second is temperature from 18 to 25 ° C, the third is watering as the soil dries out, the fourth is top dressing. Be sure to control the combination of these conditions. That is, the lighter, the warmer and wetter. When the light decreases, you need to lower the temperature and reduce watering, this will prevent the plant from stretching in height.

How to form a tree

After 3–5 years, when the dracaena trunk reaches a diameter of 4–5 cm at a height of 10–15 cm from the ground, the trunk is cut. With proper care, several new shoots grow below the cut point. Now these shoots will grow in height, and the trunk will thicken a little. In the future, it all depends on the imagination of the grower. After some time, you can cut new trunks closer to the place of the first cut or away from it, at the same or at different levels, then repeat the pruning on all branches or selectively so that the dracaena can grow.

In this way, an original cascading multi-stem version of the dracaena is created, reminiscent of a bonsai.

Photo gallery: growing bonsai from dracaena

It will take several years to grow dracaena imitation bonsai Cascading multi-stem dracaena imitates bonsai Dracaena formed in this way also resemble bonsai

How to form a "room palm" - step by step instructions

Dracaena at home can grow for a very long time. Wherein evergreen grows at the top, while the lower part of the stem is exposed. AT step by step instructions consider how to cut dracaena to get side shoots.

Preparation for the procedure

Two or three days before the planned pruning, it is desirable to carry out preparations that will allow the plant to safely endure this procedure and successfully grow new shoots.

First, you need to water the plant so that by the time of pruning the soil has absorbed the bulk of the moisture, but the lump has not yet had time to dry.

Secondly, spray the ground part of the dracaena with the Epin anti-stress drug. This will help the plant to develop special substances to successfully overcome the shock state and the speedy growth of new shoots.

Preparing the plant for pruning

Prepare the dracaena that you intend to cut. Place it in a well-lit place and at a level that makes it convenient to work. Check if the stem or stems to be cut are clean. If these areas are dirty, wipe with a clean cloth.

It's time for this plant to prune.

flower shaping tool

To perform the cut, you will need a pruner or a sharp knife. The trimming procedure, although quite simple, is still an operation, therefore it is carried out under sterile conditions. Disinfect the tool blade with alcohol beforehand. sharpness cutting edges affects the cleanliness of the cut: it should turn out even, without nicks. Then there is a higher probability that the apical stalk will take root, and not rot, and the wound on the trunk will heal as soon as possible.

slice processing

A fresh cut on the trunk should be processed in order to avoid infection. For this purpose, it is desirable to have a special antifungal drug (for example, Topsin-M) or a substance that can replace it. At home, crushed activated charcoal or cinnamon will perform such functions. Garden pitch is needed to cover the wound. This technique prevents the tissues adjacent to the cut site from drying out. Instead of garden pitch at home, you can use a wax or paraffin candle.

Photo gallery: means for processing a cut of dracaena

The cut sites should be treated with an antifungal drug.
Garden pitch is needed to cover the wounds of plants Treating the cut site with paraffin

How to make an incision

Decide where to cut. Before cutting off part of the dracaena, take a closer look at it, imagine how it will look when it releases a few new branches on top of the remaining stem, and then decide at what height the part of the plant will be cut off.

First you need to decide on the place of the cut

The cut must be even. Do it in one motion.

Root the cut off top of the plant. If it is covered with leaves, cut the leaves to a quarter or a third of the height of the cutting. Put in a glass of water, where you add a tablet activated carbon or a small piece of charcoal to block the development of pathogens and rot the cutting.

If the cut part of the plant is quite long, from 20 cm or more, you can divide it into several parts 12–15 cm long, process the upper sections as described above, and also put it in a container with water for rooting, to subsequently plant in the ground.

In about a month, roots will appear on the cutting.

Top dressing to stimulate the germination of dormant buds

After three or four days, when the plant overcomes the shock state after pruning, it is necessary to feed the plant at the root and along the stem with a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content. Such top dressing is carried out after watering to prevent root burns. Easiest to use ammonium nitrate at the rate of a teaspoon per three liters of water. But if possible, it is better to use a specialized fertilizer with an improved Plantafol composition in a ratio of 30:10:10.

Top dressing is repeated every 2 weeks for 2–3 months, until new shoots reach a length of 4–6 cm.

Dracaena care after pruning

Since the plant has undergone surgery, it is necessary to create suitable conditions for a speedy recovery:

Secure Dracaena comfortable temperature in the range of 20–24 °C.
Provide the plant with a bright spot out of direct sunlight. If pruning occurred in autumn - winter, it is necessary to illuminate the plant fluorescent lamps, which you use at home, so that the total length daylight hours was at least 12 hours.
Pay close attention to soil moisture. When the topsoil dries out by 4–6 cm, pour warm soft water or a solution with fertilizer.
Dracaena loves high humidity air. Do not forget to spray her crown with water at room temperature.
For uniform development of the crown, do not forget to periodically slightly rotate the container with the plant in relation to the light source.

Possible clipping issues

Any organism under stress, which is also the removal of a plant part, becomes more vulnerable to adverse factors. After the pruning procedure, the plant should be treated with increased attention for several months.

Be more careful with watering. It is necessary to prevent overflow and overdrying of the earthen coma. Since the dracaena lacks a crown or part of it, the plant cannot absorb as much moisture as before. When overflowing, the roots do not have the opportunity to breathe. But the soil should not dry out either, because the plant needs strength to germinate new buds.

Protect the dracaena from drafts. Temperature drops for a weakened plant are dangerous.

The main goal is to prevent disease

Once a week, carefully inspect the ground part of the plant. Pests and diseases are more likely to settle on a weakened plant than on a healthy one. When insects are detected, it is necessary to treat the trunk and the remaining part of the crown with an insecticide, for example, Agravertin, as soon as possible. If the crown remained on the dracaena and spots of various colors appeared on the leaves, your plant was attacked by pathogenic microflora. In this case, spray the plant with one of the fungicides ("Topsin-M", "Fundazol"). Processing chemicals should be carried out in non-residential premises twice with an interval of 7-10 days.

Root update

Occasionally feel the stem and branches of the dracaena. A decrease in tissue elasticity indicates problems with the root system. You need to remove the dracaena from the pot and check the condition of the roots. Cut off hollow, darkened and dead roots, re-plant the dracaena into fresh soil using the Kornevin root formation stimulator.

Once upon a time I had a dracaena, and it grew big, big, and I decided to cut it and cut it (my husband said that it looks like it was killed), it turned out something with three branches, I did it on purpose different heights, if suddenly several kidneys break through - perhaps they will not interfere with each other. The places of the cuts were smeared with coal, filled with wax. I divided the cuttings into 2 parts - a total of six cuttings and the main plant came out. A month has passed, on two cut branches 7 buds hatched, and on one - 3 (thank God); I don’t know how this riot will get along now, I didn’t count on such a breakthrough.

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Dracaena is a plant that is responsive to care. Knowing the optimal conditions of detention and simple methods of crown formation, even a novice grower is able to turn a plant into a luxurious, attractive decoration for every room.

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