PLease help with ID,,

This is one of my fav houseplants. It was given to me by someone who had no clue and said fern.
I will post a second pic with close-up

thanks so much!
bre

It's a dracaena marginata. Can't think of the common name off hand.
Chris

This message was edited May 14, 2008 12:23 AM

This message was edited May 14, 2008 12:23 AM

Hi barhea7 , I have this plant too, it's comon name is Dragon tree, here is the link for it

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/732/

Blessings,

Amalie63

This message was edited May 14, 2008 12:49 AM

Thank you so much! This is one of my favorites - mine does not like to much water - I water about once a week. And it does not like anthing more then part sun. I guess they all have their own likes and dislikes, dont always follow the rules.
When I looked at the Plantfiles I noticed alot of people seemed concerned about the leaves dropping off. I always get excited when it looses leaves because that means new growth at the top!!
Thanks
bre

Now THAT'S a positive attitude!!! By the way, dropping leaves is a natural part of this plants growth. No one has a dracaena marg. that has all it's original leaves. If it should ever outgrow the space you have it growing in, you can cut it back anywhere along the stem (trunk) and it will start to put out new growth in no time. The portion you cut off can be rooted and you'll have yourself a new plant in the process!
Chris

Wow Chris - that's interesting! So if I chop it in the middle of the stem it will come back? Not that I plan to but thats a good plant to have around kids ;) I haven't ventured into rooting (yet) so im not to sure how it all goes.
Thanks!
bre

If you chop it off anywhere, new branches will pop out along the top of the bare stem where it was cut. You can also take the cutting and pot it up for new plants ... they root very easily! Down here in Florida people grow these in the ground. One of our local post offices has a really pretty grouping of two or three of the D. marginata tricolor right out front by the parking lot. I have one of the tricolor and one of the regular green marginata's. I am thinking of transplanting one to my backyard.

Wow that sounds kool,I have one of the tri color, was wondering how to make 2 plants out of it. Will placing the cutting in water help it root too?

I have one of these and have for years. When they get too tall for me, I cut them off straight, sticking the top into the dirt. Where I made the cut, new sprouts come off of them and they continue to grow. This is the easiest plant I have to get new plants off of.

How long does it take for the top part that has been cut off to root and for the lower part to show new growth?

Depends on the time of year and conditions the plant is growing in. You should start to see little "horns" popping from the cut stem in 4 - 6 weeks. I'm not sure I could say how long it would take to root. I'm sure someone here has done it more recently than I have. I know it roots fairly quickley though.
Chris