Tropical Tree

I have a "Madagascar Dragon Tree" (Draceana Marginata). I bought it braided at Home Depot. It's about 5 ft. tall. None of the individual stalks have grown together. Too young I suppose. I'm thinking about unbraiding it, and wondered what the community's thoughts were. Reason: I like the natural abstract landsacapte the dragon tree usually assumes vs. braided.

Also, I have a burgandy rubber tree I purchaed a few weeks ago, that's dropping leaves, some of which are "good" leaves. It was really root bound in a 10" plastic pot it shipped in. and it's top with is about 1 1/2 feet wide. Most leaves seem to be coming from bottom, some are dried crisp and fall off; others seemingly healthy drops. I've repotted it into a pot twice the size of the root-ball, has roots as thick as cigars; it's in a 16" now, as that asumes most of the center of the pot. I've also begun misting it since it's been in the upper 80's, 90's. Also making sure it's not over-watered, but never dries out completely. Any thoughts?

This message was edited Jul 13, 2010 8:13 PM

This message was edited Jul 13, 2010 8:15 PM

Ficus: The foliage loss is likely from a decrease in light intensity between where it was (recently) and where it is now. It's common. Your plant would be very happy outdoors, acclimated to full sun for the rest of the summer.

You might wish to consider stopping the misting. It won't do any good and can help provide the incubation period needed for fungal infections and/or spread existing fungal spores over the rest of the plant. The plant has leaves with lots of cuticular wax which makes it well-adapted to dry conditions. If you have specific questions about the fig, I can probably help.

Al

Thanks I appreciate your information. It's the only ficus I have. I have a "Red Congo", "Madagscar Dragon (D. Marginata), "White Bird of Pradise", an Echeveria (E. Gibbifloria), and of course the "Ubiquitous Rubber Tree".

I'd like another marginata. And a "Pretty in Pink Echveria.

I was thinking... my rubber tree is also now in a little sun room like area of my home that i use as an office, really just 6 windows, remain closed, it's summer in ny temps about mid to high 80's - 90's; so i have a fan in the window about 6 feet away from tree; but not in direct path. don't really think it's an issue but wondered... since i've only had the tree 3-4 weeks, for first 3 of which it was in my family room and has been dropping leaves since i brought it home anyway. Think the fan matters in this summer heat?

It matters to the degree that it helps reduce the likelihood of both pests & disease and for some reason helps promote back-budding. It won't help keep your tree 'cool' to any appreciable degree because ultimately it's root temperatures that determine the pace of the plant's metabolism. The canopy can handle much warmer temperatures than roots are able to tolerate and work efficiently.

Al

This message was edited Jul 15, 2010 8:56 AM