Draceana Marginata's (Red Edge Draceans) don't like bright "direct" light. Instead, they are happier in an area where they get bright light that is "filtered". For example, mine is in a sun room that I've converted into an office that has six windows; however, all have blinds that are never open, and on the floor is a 800 lumen flourecent on a timer for 10 hours per day.
Outdoors is not a good ideas for these guys; too much bright sun, and can suffer much mechanical damage from wind etc. Also more exposure for pest visits. "Party over here!" lol.
Reading your story, and looking at your photo: D. Marginatas respond significantly to changes in light amounts received. Reacclimation from much light to less, will usualy cause a temporary drop of leaves while the plant adjust to lower light levels. Also you may see mid/lower leaves soften a little and begin to hang downward more, vs. standing more upright, due to lower light levels. Also, the more it matures and the more new growth, more mature leaves will assume this form. Don't be suprised if the head of your plant changes landscape in response to it's new home.
D. Marginatas are pretty resiliant, and low maintenance as long as: 1, keep soil moist but not over wet or soggy; don't allow to go completely dry in between waterings; water when first 2 inches or so is dry to the racking of your fingers. while checking a little deeper to see how moist it is to know "how much" water to add. Usually enough to remoisten the dry later atop you just racked with your fingers.
They like to be a little root-bound in their pots. Do not pot them in pots that are too large as this creates the temptation to "overwater them"; when this happens the roots rot, causing the stalk to die, the stalk gets mushy, and the rest is history.
These guys don't like high floride which is ever present in our tap water; good for our teeth, bad for our plants. Let your water sit over night at the least before using. Else, excessive browning of tips will occur.
Techinicall, assuming all else is healthy, if the tops (heads) of a D. Marginat are broken off by hand, they would grow back healthy and more abundantly. This is how some encourage new growth on the marginatas. I'm not telling you to break off your heads, just pointed it out to point out their resiliance, assuming all else will allow a healthy enough plant to regroup itself.
Filtered Light Only
Keep Moist
Don't let dry in between waterings
Don't Over Pot (Can stay in suitable pot for years)
Depending on light situation, supplemental artificial flourecent light can help.
Hope this helps!
You can email me if you want qbaker.mail@gmail.com
This message was edited Jul 15, 2010 3:15 AM
