How to feed dracaena at home

Fertilizer for dracaena accelerates the growth of the flower, promotes the formation of buds, normalizes development (all stages occur in a timely manner). There are different compositions, among them are highly specialized, as well as universal. Folk remedies are also used, but in each case it is important to use the substances correctly so as not to cause leaf burns and other disorders.

Elements needed for proper growth of dracaena

This type of plant is grown in slightly acidic soils. It is important that the soil contains peat and sand. But if it does not contain useful substances, it will not be possible to create suitable conditions for flowering.

Components of primary importance:

• nitrogen – promotes growth and greening of leaves;
• phosphorus – ensures protein synthesis, activates energy metabolism;
• Potassium is another source of energy for plants; its deficiency reduces the flower’s resistance to infections and pests.

Other equally important elements:

• calcium – forms the structure of the plant, affects cellular functions, and especially the root system;
• magnesium, sulfur, iron – substances that stimulate the process of chlorophyll production, thanks to them the respiratory function is supported;
• copper – eliminates the cause and consequences of the development of alternariosis;
• Boron – supports the function of the flower’s vascular system.

The soil should also contain manganese, molybdenum, cobalt, and zinc.

How often should you fertilize dracaena?

Top dressing should be done during the growth period: from April to the end of August. The timing of fertilizer application depends on the type of substances. For example, nitrogen-containing mixtures are used at the initial stage of growth. Other types of fertilizers are used once every 2 weeks. For root top dressing, liquid products should be chosen. They are used after watering the plant.

In winter, there is no need to fertilize dracaena. At this time, all processes slow down, so there is no need to provide the plant with energy sources.

It is enough to water it with a nutrient solution once a month. At this stage, you need to choose a root method of delivering nutrients, since spraying the leaves is impractical.

You should pay attention to the external condition of the flower. If dry leaves or other signs of a deficiency of nutrients appear, change the dracaena feeding scheme. Sometimes you need to increase the frequency of fertilization or, conversely, decrease it.

Signs of Malnutrition

When the appearance of the dracaena changes, a number of signs can be used to suggest what substances are lacking:

• nitrogen: stem thinning, leaves turn yellow and fall off, the plant does not develop;
• phosphorus: pigmentation (brown, sometimes red spots form);
• potassium: first of all, the leaves at the base of the stem fall off, the plant often gets sick;
• calcium: young shoots stop developing;
• boron: dracaena does not grow, which is due to a pathological process in its upper part (it dries out);
• magnesium, sulfur, iron: the color of the leaves deteriorates, and such changes soon cover the entire surface of the leaf blade, which allows you to immediately distinguish a deficiency of these substances from signs of infection.

General rules for applying fertilizers

It is important to use fertilizer correctly.

The main recommendations for its use at home for better growth:

• the first doses of fertilizers should be added to the substrate in March;
• if you plan to use a complex mixture (containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), choose a dosage of 3:1:3 accordingly;
• excess nitrogen is the cause of infections;
• Do not use products containing phosphorus;
• Use exactly as much water to prepare the working solution as recommended by the manufacturer; increasing or decreasing its quantity is unacceptable.

Fertilizers for the growth and flowering of dracaena

Mineral and organic substances can be purchased in a store or made independently. In both cases, the dosage of the components is controlled. The mixtures are alternated.

Ready-made mineral fertilizers

The most suitable option is to use special formulations for succulents, ficuses and decorative deciduous plants. Be careful with preparations containing fluorine. Its excess is harmful to dracaena. Examples of complex preparations: "Master", "Stimul", "Ideal", "Ispolin", "Gera".

Organic mixtures

Some gardeners use this type of means, others - only mineral fertilizers. However, it is better to combine them, then the plant will receive a sufficient amount of useful substances.

Treatment frequency: once every 30 days.

For this purpose, you can use a solution containing animal manure. The recommended ratio of such a product to water is 1:4. The organic fertilizer is left for 3-4 days to infuse. Before use, the resulting concentrate is diluted with water (100 ml per 1.5 l).

Spraying on leaves

The method of spraying leaves is one of the most effective. It accelerates the elimination of negative processes in diseases caused by decreased immunity, deficiency of nutrients. But in this case, you cannot allow liquid to penetrate into the dracaena rosettes. Decay processes may develop.

Folk methods

Homemade recipes to improve the appearance of plants without having to use store-bought products:

1. Onion peel decoction: 25 g of raw material, 1 l of water. The product is boiled, then cooled. Before use, it must be filtered.
2. Infusion based on bananas, citrus fruits. Prepare the peel of 1 banana, 2 oranges. They need to be filled with warm water, add 2 tbsp. sugar. As soon as the product is ready, it is recommended to use it immediately.
3. Sugar syrup is used to spray dracaena leaves.
4. Ash. It is poured onto the drainage, it is recommended to use this method along with others.

Mistakes in feeding dracaena and their consequences

If you don’t have enough experience growing such a flower, problems may arise:

• for the treatment of dracaena it is not recommended to use any product “Agricola”, as a result the leaves will wither and turn black, if there is no alternative, use only the variety for ficus;
• violation of the frequency of fertilization, excessive mineralization contributes to yellowing of leaves;
• You cannot use fertilizers that contain a lot of phosphorus and nitrogen.

You should not count on the immediate effect of the applied fertilizers. In most cases, the plant's condition improves gradually. In addition, it is not always possible to correctly detect the cause of the pathological process in time.