largest pot a Madagascar dragontree will need?

eonaxes · New Member Joined: 12 May 2009 Posts: 16

Hello,
the roots of my dragon tree have began breaking through the bottom of the black plastic starter pot that came with it
I know its suggested to only go 2 inches larger but I'm a lazy gardener and just want to do it once. I'm thinking of just getting a 14" pot and keeping it in there whether or not the plant later out grows that it. Is this a bad idea? Thanks

rainbowgardener · Mod Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 6173 Location: Ohio, USA

Yup, bad idea. Here's something from a little article on care of dragon trees:

"If you want to repot it, do so during the begining of its growing season (spring). Don't use too large of a pot. Dracaena marginatas [ your dragon tree] are more comfortable being root-bound, so if you want to increase the size of your pot, increase the diameter by 1" at the most, to allow the plant to keep tight quarters."
www.ehow.com/how_4663876_plant-aka-madagascar-dragon-tree.html

It will definitely not grow or thrive as well in the big pot. Will you kill it that way? Probably not as long as you otherwise take good care of it, but presumably your goal in keeping it and caring for it is something more than not-killing it. Smile

eonaxes · New Member Joined: 12 May 2009 Posts: 16

thanks
so is it ok to just let it stay in its current pot since it looks being root bound?

bonsaiboy · Mod Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 764 Location: Earth

Plants are living, growing organisms and for the most part cannot be grown in the same container their entire life if you wish for them to live and be healthy. Therefore, it is a necessity to change the pot every once in a while unless you intend to bonsai it, even then it will still need to have the soil changed yearly.
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rainbowgardener · Mod Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 6173 Location: Ohio, USA

Agree with bonsaiboy, but at this point it's probably fine to leave it as is until spring. Then it would be good to repot one size up.

SkyKero · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:56 pm Post subject: things that make you go hmm...

I just realized that the plant I inherited from a coworker is one of these.
And it is in a HUGE pot for it's size!.
I wondered why it hadn't grown!-- but it looks mostly healthy!

I will see about putting it in a smaller container in the spring Smile

I must say -- I LOVE learning.

S.

eonaxes · New Member Joined: 12 May 2009 Posts: 16

i think I damaged my plant trying to get it out the old pot one of the 3 main stalks got loosened from the root ball, but its still attached
it stands up straight after I packed some soil around it and I tied a string around all 3 stalks for good measure

any chances it will recover?

eonaxes · New Member Joined: 12 May 2009 Posts: 16

hmm the leaves are starting to droop too

Kisal · Mod Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 4269 Location: Oregon

If the stalk is no longer attached to the roots, it cannot live, as there is no way for that part of the plant to obtain nutrients from the soil.

I understand that it's fairly easy to root these plants, although I haven't done so myself. If the stem is still partially attached to the roots, you might want to just leave it for awhile and see how it does. It might improve. If the stem is totally detached from the root ball, it might be better to replant it in a separate container. Keep the air around it humid by placing the pot on a humidity tray or by misting the plant a few times during the day. Just some suggestions. Good luck with it.
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"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams