largest pot a Madagascar dragontree will need?

eonaxes · Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:18 pm

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 · Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:56 pm

Yup, bad idea.

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.

eonaxes · Sat Oct 31, 2009 11:05 am

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

bonsaiboy · Sat Oct 31, 2009 2:20 pm

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.

rainbowgardener · Sat Oct 31, 2009 3:17 pm

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 · Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:56 am

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

I must say -- I LOVE learning.

S.

eonaxes · Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:41 pm

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 · Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:20 pm

hmm the leaves are starting to droop too

Kisal · Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:15 pm

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.