hi there
I'm looking for some help please with an indoor tree. It's not a tree I bought so I'm not sure what it is exactly hence why I'm not really sure how to look after it.
I've had it for approx two years now and over the last year it hasn't grown and looks as if it is dying slowly.
Its kept in a large pot which goes into the ground so it doesn't get the heat from the underfloor heating.
Two weeks ago I removed it from the pot to check the roots and change the soil as I thought maybe the roots needed trimming. The roots were fine, in fact it looked as if had come directly out of its small garden centre pot and had been put directly into the large pot without the roots being broken. Not good I think.
Anyway, since repotting and changing the soil it has been getting worse. Also, my lovely cats went to the toilet in the pot whilst I was away on holiday last week and now the tree has lost some more branches.
I'm really desperate to help it get better as I've had a look at similar size trees in garden centres and they cost a fortune.
If anyone can please offer me any insight I would be really grateful.
Here's the tree in its current state:
[img]https://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss72/marieloona/th_tree.jpg[/img]
thank you for your help
Sharon
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Is it a Dracaena (some species of Cordyline are also referred to as "Dracaena")? The cats may have poisoned it while you were away. Did you leach the wastes out of the container by watering the plant in the tub until satisfied that the cat waste was gone?
And then, after leaching out the waste, did you provide some nutrition to the plant? Because by leaching out the waste, much of the nutritional value of the potting mix was also drained away.
If this plant is a Dracaena, they like to live somewhat on the dry side. Sunset recommends waiting to water until the top 1/2" to 1" (2.5 cm) is dry.
They like bright but indirect light when grown as an indoor plant.
I kept one alive for 8 years at the office where I worked in the '90s.
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
And then, after leaching out the waste, did you provide some nutrition to the plant? Because by leaching out the waste, much of the nutritional value of the potting mix was also drained away.
If this plant is a Dracaena, they like to live somewhat on the dry side. Sunset recommends waiting to water until the top 1/2" to 1" (2.5 cm) is dry.
They like bright but indirect light when grown as an indoor plant.
I kept one alive for 8 years at the office where I worked in the '90s.
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
That tree has pinnate leafs, so its not a Dracaena (Dracaena have straplike leafs). It appears to be a sort of palm. Considering the situation, here's what I'd do: change the soil. Not only is it probably used up, but as of what the cat did, its also poisonous. Give it ample light, but not direct sun. And, when you water it, do so when the top of the soil is dry (but don't let all the soil go dry). Don't water to often, either. If the tree recovers after doing all this, you should probably start fertilizing it (wait until after it recovers, though).
I don't know whether you have access to a copy of the Sunset Western Garden Book, but there's an illustration of D. draco ("dragon tree") with its very palm-like leaves at the head of the Dracaena article.
There's another member of the Dracaena family, D. fragrans, also called the "corn plant," whose leaves are most definitely strap-like.
Whichever this plant may turn out to be, I like your recommended treatment. Cat waste can indeed be toxic and is better handled by women who know for sure they're not pregnant or by men due to the possibility of toxoplasmosis cysts. And the general "yuck" factor...
Cynthia
There's another member of the Dracaena family, D. fragrans, also called the "corn plant," whose leaves are most definitely strap-like.
Whichever this plant may turn out to be, I like your recommended treatment. Cat waste can indeed be toxic and is better handled by women who know for sure they're not pregnant or by men due to the possibility of toxoplasmosis cysts. And the general "yuck" factor...
Cynthia
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Many thanks for your suggestions. We've followed the recommendations below and unfortunately the tree still seems to be dying. I guess we must wait and give it time to recover, it must be very stressed.
With regards to the watering, I think I may have been watering too much. I gave it 1.5 - 3 liters of water each time the soil was dry at the top. Given that we've just been through winter and our house is quite dry thats once or twice a week so maybe too much?
thanks again for all your help
With regards to the watering, I think I may have been watering too much. I gave it 1.5 - 3 liters of water each time the soil was dry at the top. Given that we've just been through winter and our house is quite dry thats once or twice a week so maybe too much?
thanks again for all your help
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A quick update, tree has now died, I think it was on its last legs anyway. Hopefully I'll be able to afford to buy another one later this year, if I can find one I'll let you know what its called and what recommendations I get for keeping it healthy! If it helps someone else with the same tree all the better!