Dracaena is a flower popular among indoor plant lovers that looks very much like a small palm tree. This exotic culture fits perfectly into any interior and becomes its highlight. The plant is resistant to serious diseases, but due to violations of the rules of care and improper maintenance, the external data of the dracaena deteriorate. Drying leaves are one of these common negative changes. There may be several reasons for this.
Insufficient air humidity
Dry indoor air is the most common cause of dry leaf tips in dracaena. In the natural environment, the culture feels great in a humid warm climate, and in room conditions this humidity level must be constantly maintained, especially during the heating season. Heating devices very quickly dry the air in the room, so it is recommended to spray the plants in the morning and in the evening every day. It is good if there is a vessel with water next to the flower container, and you can also use a steam generator or any other humidifier.
When purchasing a dracaena, you need to take care of a suitable growing place. The ideal conditions for the development of this flower are a greenhouse or florarium with a humidity level of sixty to seventy percent. For an apartment or house, it is better to choose a plant variety that is not very strict about air humidity.
Improper watering
Lack and excess of irrigation water, irregular irrigation lead to negative changes in the appearance of dracaena. Lack of moisture and overdrying of the earthen coma is immediately reflected on the leafy part - it begins to dry out and eventually completely fades. Frequent and abundant watering in large volumes leads to waterlogging and acidification of the soil, in which various fungal infections occur, and then rotting of the root part and death of the indoor plant. It is recommended to water the dracaena only after the soil surface in the pot has dried by about 5-10 mm. When planting, it is necessary to pour a good drainage layer on the bottom of the container. For irrigation, you can use only soft purified or melt water with a temperature of twenty to twenty-two degrees Celsius.
Inappropriate soil composition
A substrate spoiled by improper watering or an incorrectly selected substrate at the time of purchase also negatively affects the appearance of the plant. A dense, poor or saline soil mixture does not provide the necessary conditions for proper nutrition of the root part, and therefore the entire plant. Because of this, dark spots may appear on the leaves, which soon become dry and the leaves fall off. Additional feeding in such a situation will not bring a positive result, but will only add a load on the weakened roots.
The first thing to do as quickly as possible is to replace the soil mixture in the flower pot.Fresh nutritious soil will restore the work of the root system and restore its decorative effect to the dracaena. The composition of the mixture: equal parts of clean river sand, peat, rotted humus, leaf and sod land. Complex feeding, which is recommended to be applied three months after planting, will contribute to further growth and full development.
Non-compliance with the temperature regime
The most favorable temperature is from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. At a high room temperature, the plant will need an influx of fresh air, but without sudden temperature changes and cold drafts. At low temperatures, the leaves may freeze and then begin to dry out at the edges or at the tips.
Bright sunshine
Direct sunlight is a dangerous enemy of dracaena, leaving burns on the leafy part. Its delicate and sensitive leaves will instantly be covered with spots of brown light if the sun's rays "touch" the plant. It is recommended to grow the flower in a place where the light will be bright, but diffused.
Infectious diseases
Drying of leaves can occur if the flower is infected with any kind of fungal infection. This can happen when close to another diseased plant or when using contaminated soil when planting. Measures of influence on infectious diseases - special chemicals for indoor plants (for example, "Oksikhom", "Topaz").
The most common diseases:
- Brown spot (phyllostictosis) - causes drying and shedding of leaves due to the appearance of numerous spots of brown and then gray color on the leaf surface.
- Leaf spot (heterosporium) - gradual drying and dying off of the leafy part begins from the top of the plant. Fungal disease manifests itself in the form of a large number of yellow spots on the leaf plates, which soon begin to darken and dry out.
- Dry spotting (Alternaria) - causes the appearance of small dry spots, which very quickly increase in size and lead to blackening of the entire leaf. The fungus multiplies in a matter of days and leads to the death of the leaf part and the entire plant.
Natural causes
The lower leaves of the dracaena can dry out and fall off with age, and this is not surprising and dangerous. This process is natural and familiar to many cultures. It is impossible to stop or stop it, and there is no need to. Dracaena will soon continue its development and acquire new leaves.
