Dracaena marginata: Should I repot all 3 together?

This plant is going to die if I don't get it re potted and I am ready now but I need HELP!!

The plant has three stems and all three are the same height....I am not really liking that idea plus the leaves are all bunched together and crowded. The pictures I have seen show two or three in one pot but with them at different levels.

Is there a way I can plant them at different levels, would I be able to separate them? Or take several leaves off of the bottom?

Please advise! :)

Dee Dee

This message was edited Sep 21, 2014 2:19 PM

Dee-dee---

That is a beautiful, healthy Dracena Marginata!!. It does not need re-potting.
It will not die if you don't! What gave you that idea?

Whether Marginatas are 3 stems all the same level--or 3 stems at different levels,
you cannot change yours to look like a 3-level one. They are all grown that way from day #1.

Those are considered "premium" and cost a bit more money.
You can go to a Nursery, or a Big Box store and buy a 3-level one--if you want.

Each stem is an individual plant--they all have rooted together--are growing
together and support each other. If you separate them--they will have a hard time
re establishing, as their roots are quite small.

As they grow taller the bottom leaves will wither and die--you can then pull them off.
This is a totally natural thing for this [plant to do.
In time--the stems will become quite tall and may curve or curl.
The leaves will be just at the top and will continue growing. Keep it in a bright spot--
but not in any direct sun.

My advice is--do not try to fix what ain't broke. Enjoy your plant.
IF ever you think it really needs re-potting, carefully, lift the whole clump out and re-pot it
at the same exact top-level it has been growing. Any extra soil needs to go at the bottom.

Also--leaf tips browning is not a disease. Dracenas are sensitive to salts in the water.
If your water is chlorinated--you need to let it sit out a couple days or use bottled water
to water your plant. Brown tips can just be trimmed off with scissors. No harm to the plant!

Let it go near-dry before you water your Dracena. Too much watering--and the stems
can rot starting at the roots and moving up the stem.
Then you will need to remove that one stem. Just pull it up. And--YES! it will stink a lot.

Hope this has helped you. Relax--enjoy your plant as is. It is a beaut!

Gita
edited to add that--if you do not care for that black Nursery pot--buy a pot one size bigger (12")
just set the black pot into the new pot. Make sure it has drainage holes as well!!!

This message was edited Sep 22, 2014 6:01 PM

Thank you, Gita!

I am new to gardening and have been reading as much as I can... I was under the impression that just bought plants need to be re potted asap due to:
1. The plant is root bound and needs room.
2. The plant needs new, fresh soil as the soil it comes in is not the best for the plant.

Whew, I am so glad to read your post! I do not like that black plastic pot so I did as you suggested, put it in a bigger pot then gave it a good watering. I do not use tap water, that is something I have learned here on DG, we have been gathering rain water and using that for all my plants. Makes a lot of sense to me! ;)

I only have Northwest facing windows and have a back porch that we recently changed the roof to green corrugated panels that allow the light through. I think it will allow enough light for my Dragon and other plants I have.

Again, thank you for your advise, YES you have helped me! I think I will just enjoy my lovely Dragon!

Dee Dee

Thank you, Dee Dee...

Chuckle.....newly purchased plants should NOT be replanted automatically.
nor should they be fertilized for a while--as growers over-fertilize their plants.
Give your new plants a break! Rest...
They are in good shape in the soil (Pro Mix) they are in. It is airy and well draining.
It is a better soil than many of the soils you could re-pot it in.
If you DO re-pot anything--ALWAYS buy the bagged potting soil MIX
it contains no actual soil and is great for containers.

Some plants may be root-bound when you buy them, eg: palms, Snake Plants, etc...
Usually, that means these plants are OK with tight roots and you can leave them alone.

Sometimes you really need to re-pot a newly bought plant. Then--do it.
Just go ONE size bigger pot and always put the extra 2" of soil in the bottom--
NOT on top of the plant. If you do that--your plant will die a SLOW DEATH,

I will be glad ti help you out--any time. Gita