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Hey guys, newbie here and needing some help. I have a dracaena… | Pests, diseases and problems | Planta community

Bri-Anne

Hey guys, newbie here and needing some help. I have a dracaena reflexa and I am struggling with it. I CANNOT let this plant die as It was from my grandmas funeral and I just can’t. I was following the apps recommendations and I believe over watered it. I’ve since removed the plant from the pot dried out the soil checked for root rot and replanted it… but I’m still worried. The soil is considered dry according to my indicator but I don’t want to over water the plant. Any advice from you all would be greatly appreciated because again I can’t let this plant go. The first picture is before I replanted it because the leaves were falling off. The second was after I replanted it. Which I feel is still damaged from the over watering. The leaves have since drooped but they are still attached… what can I do? Or is it too late?

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2 likes 15 comments

15 comments

  1. Ms.Issy

    If the roots don’t appear to have rot, I would suggest a smaller pot. One that’s only 1”-2” bigger than the roots. That way the plant is less likely to be overwatered. And give it a few weeks to recover. If the roots seem rotted there are some good YouTube videos on how to treat that.

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  2. Bri-Anne

    They didn’t seem rotted, I removed the ones that were dead. On the recovery would I want to mist the soil to keep it moisturized or or let it stay dry for a bit.

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  3. Phil

    The second pic shows your meter reading about 5, which is good. So just wondering is that what you are calling dry or you just happened to take photo at that time? Not sure if you are, but you can’t leave the meter in the pot all the time. Only to test. Just making sure you are not misreading the meter. But I do agree that a smaller pot may be better. Also maybe chunkier soil.

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  4. Bri-Anne

    No that was when I took the picture after the replant. It’s currently at a 3 on the meter saying it’s dry. I’ll def get another pot ordered that’s smaller.

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  5. Michelle

    Definitely pit in smaller pot make sure it has drain holes

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  6. Springvision

    Agree with above. A smaller pot, chunky soil. I have one that I let the soil go bone dry before I water it. I've had it for years. They do like their sun also.

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  7. Tom

    As mentioned above, that pot is to big so soil won’t dry out. Also I’ve never trusted them moisture meters, they are so unreliable, readings jump all other the place if you try and put it in various places. If you do repot, I suggest a clear nursery pot, that way you can lift it out of the pot you got to see how soil and roots are.

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  8. Bri-Anne

    What size of pot would you recommend?

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    • Tom

      Depends on root ball, I see u listed as 15cm so about 10cm clear pot, try and keep the soil you have around the roots so you don’t disturb them

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    • Bri-Anne

      Awesome. Thank you Tom.

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  9. Bri-Anne

    I also took it out of the pot to dry the soil and repotted it 10 days ago. Will it cause more stress to the plant to do that again so soon?

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    • Ashley

      No, this plant is resilient. Repot into something smaller, these plants can withstand drought so don’t follow the app’s watering recommendations. You will absolutely overwater it.

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  10. Jneyman

    Sorry for your loss 💕

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