Trying to identify some palm like house plants
Bill_and_Ben
Posts: 161
I have got 4 plants in my conservatory, 3 of which seem to be the same type of plant, that are unhappy but I don't know how to care for them as I don't know what they are. Some sort of palm. I've had them for a few years and they grow taller each year with the lower fronds yellowing and falling off. I assumed this was normal. However, last year, the tops went yellow and then all got in a strange tangle. I didn't think I'd done anything different but maybe they got too hot? They are in my conservatory which is very cool until 2ish and then heat up but never gets unbearable hot as it's north facing. The 4th plant (to the bottom left in the main photo) is different but I'd also like to know what it is. Also - some advice as to wateting and if I should report and/or feed with Baby Bio or similar?
Posts
Dracaena or Dragon plant. There should be lots of info for their care on the net.
Easy to take cuttings and make new plants when they get too tall. Cut off one of the leggy pieces down to where it joins the main stem. Then cut the stem into 10 -15cm sections and place in water. Ensure you keep them the right way up as they will not grow if you put them in upside down. When roots appear, pot up in free draining compost and grow on.
Sorry, didn't answer all of your question.I think the bottom plant is a differnet variety of dracaena or it could be a cordeline - difficult to see.
Overwatering could be the problem for the yellowing. Most plants die from overwatering more than anything else. Let them dry out between watering. Also it looks like they are potted into lovely pots but there are no drainage holes in them - this makes it dificult to judge watering. If I wee you I would repot into plastic pots and then place them in your lovely pots. This way you can water easier, see when plants are root bound and need to be moved to a bigger pot. Hope this helps.
Thank you so much - this is really helpful. Now I know what they are I can sort them out and I really appreciate your tips on taking cuttings which I'll do as all have got so tall that they are keeling over so I tend to lean them on one another. Good point about the plastic pots inside the pretty puts too. The 4th one is different - a bit like a spider plant with stripey leaves but also quite tall like hte others. Here's a closer photo
It is just a variegated Dracaena: so same as the non variegated one. It could be overwatering or it could be too much sun after being in shade for a long time.
If you cut them down they will regrow from below the cut. I do this regularly with mine when they get too tall and leggy.
Many thanks to all. I have just taking some 10-15cm cutings from one and will cut all down, repot and see what happens! I may also move them from the conservatory to a slightly less hot spot as I did wonder if the very long,hot summer last year did the 'tangling'.