How to transplant dracaena: timing, soil preparation

The main tasks that are solved during transplanting are soil replacement, the use of a larger pot. As a result, suitable conditions are created for the development of the plant. But it is important to first find out how to transplant the dracaena, because mistakes made in this case lead to a deterioration in the appearance of the flower or contribute to its death.

When is it better to transplant

If the shrub develops without deviations, in accordance with the norms, it should not be disturbed once again. This is due to the fact that transplanting is stressful for a plant.

As a result, the risk of leaf wilting increases. In the most difficult cases, the shrub dies soon after the procedure.

Urgent transplant

It is required to replace the soil or pot as soon as possible in the following situations:

1. The roots grew, went through the drain and spread outward, they overcame the obstacle (the bottom of the container). This is due to the intensive growth, uncontrolled use of substances that stimulate the development of plants.
2. Long-term stay in one container for more than 3 years. At the same time, yellowing of the leaves, their wilting, dropping, inhibition of the growth of dracaena, a general deterioration in appearance are noted.
3. Soil acidification. It occurs as a result of strong hydration on a regular basis. A sign of this phenomenon is midges above the surface layer of the soil.
4. Infectious diseases. Most often, a complete replacement of the soil is required, the treatment of the pot with disinfectant or insectoacaricidal solutions, sometimes the container is changed to a new one.

Planned

Transplant reasons:

1. Dracaena is moved to a new larger pot, in a fresh fertile substrate. This should be done within the first 7-14 days after purchase. The term depends on the condition of the bush: if there are no signs of disease, lethargy, it is recommended to place it in quarantine, which will identify infections, as well as adapt to new conditions.
2. Young plants are replanted every year.
3. It is not recommended to disturb adult flowers (over 5 years old) often, it is enough to change the soil every 2-3 years.

It is recommended to transplant at the end of the dormant period - at the beginning of spring. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to accelerate the development of young plants, since the root system is located in loose fertile soil.

Transplant rules at home

Since the plant is older than 5 years has already developed quite strongly, the root system is voluminous, it is recommended to place it in a new container as a last resort. Most often, a simplified method is used - pour soil into the pot.

Transplanting a purchased flower

Leaving the shrubs in the container that was used to transport them to the store is not recommended for several reasons:

• a high content of peat in the substrate, due to which moisture is more retained, as a result, the roots can rot;
• low air permeability of the substrate, while the risk of acidification and the appearance of mold increases;
• small size of the container, the roots grow, thicken, which leads to their damage.

The shipping container is intended only for transportation, the temporary development of a plant in it. The shrub can die if left in such a pot.

Required tools

Prepare for work:

• secateurs;
• sharpened knife;
• scoop;
• container with a spray bottle;
• substrate bucket;
• deep container with water.

The transplant procedure is best performed with gloves, since it will be necessary to contact the soil (for example, wash the roots). The instrument should be disinfected. This will prevent the spread of infection if you previously had to use devices for transplanting other plants.

Choosing the right pot

To determine the size of the pot, you need to know the diameter of the earthen ball of the root system. There should be 1.5-2 cm between it and the walls of the container. Selection rules:

• a clay pot is suitable for the development of a shrub; it is made of breathable material, but in the absence of other varieties, it is permissible to purchase a plastic container;
• there should be holes at the bottom;
• it is recommended to consider the types of pots that are sold complete with a pallet, this element is necessary, because through holes in the bottom of the tank will pour out water, it can be removed immediately, thereby reducing the risk of soil acidification;
• the diameter of the pot should be 3 cm larger than the previous one (average value);
• for low plants, the shape of the container does not matter;
• for dracaena, the height of which is more than 40 cm, you should purchase a glass-like pot, it must be stable, in this case the minimum diameter is 20 cm;
• it is not recommended to choose too large a container - moisture will be retained by the soil.

The pot needs to be cleaned, even if it is new. The inner surfaces are treated with soapy water. Then it is rinsed with water without additives.

Dracaena soil

Ready-made soil is used for dracaena and palm trees. It is a balanced mixture of components that provides these types of plants with a sufficient amount of nutrients. If it is not possible to purchase such soil, you can make it yourself by taking:

• turf (2 shares);
• compost (1 share);
• leafy soil (1 share).

The main component is peat, the acidity of which is within 6.5 pH. Its amount is not less than ½ of the total volume of the finished soil. It is important to use a special compound, and not soil from the site. It contains too many mineral compounds. In addition, there is a risk of infection of the flower. The soil on the site may contain harmful microorganisms, insect eggs, ticks. When they get into comfortable environmental conditions, the process of their development is activated, which will lead to infection of the plant.

An important condition is to obtain a loose soil structure. To do this, during self-production, brick chips, river sand or expanded clay are added to the composition. It is necessary to mix the soil in order to evenly distribute the solid fractions throughout the structure.

Sterilizing the earth

There are 2 methods:

• processing is carried out with boiling water;
• the substrate in the oven is disinfected.

In the first case, the soil is not only sterilized, but also moistened. After this, you should not use the soil immediately, you must wait until it cools down, the excess moisture evaporates. The earth needs to be laid out on the newspaper. After it cools down, a dracaena transplant is performed.

If you choose the oven baking method, put the soil on a baking sheet. The temperature regime is preset - within + 100 ° С. In such conditions, harmful microorganisms do not survive. Excess moisture does not appear in this case, but it is important to wait for the soil to cool down. After that, you can proceed to transplanting a bush.

How to properly transplant dracaena

Instructions step by step:

1. It is necessary to prepare tools, containers, substrate. It is more convenient to perform the procedure on a table or floor.
2. To remove the plant, the pot should be tilted at a slight angle. Then you need to tap on the bottom of the container.
3. The root system is examined. There should be no pests or traces of their vital activity (eggs, dust) on it. The damaged areas of the roots are cut off. Then, the treatment is performed with charcoal, potassium permanganate solution.
4. It is necessary to moisten the roots, for which a spray bottle is used.
5. Drainage is formed at the bottom of the pot.
6. A layer of soil is poured.
7. The plant is centered, it must be constantly held with one hand.
8. Sprinkle the root system with soil, for which a scoop is used. In this case, you need to shake the pot. As a result, the earth is compacted, filling the gaps between the roots. It is not necessary to ram the ground, making a lot of effort.
9. The recommended ground level is 1–2 cm below the top of the pot. Such a measure will allow the plant to be hydrated. Water will not spill over the edges.

After transplanting, it is necessary to moisten the soil. The plant is sprayed with water from a spray bottle. This will prevent the wilting of leaves when changing soil, containers.

Features of transplanting a young plant

The rules that must be followed to maintain the viability of the bush:

• the soil must be dry, therefore, stop watering the dracaena 2 days before transplanting;
• it is necessary to remove the root system so that the soil remains on it, but with the development of infections (damage by microscopic pests, fungi), on the contrary, it is necessary to remove all the soil if possible;
• cleaning the roots from old soil is a necessary measure if the transplant has not been carried out for a long time, the soil is very depleted, replenishing the deficiency of nutrients with the help of fertilizers will not solve the problem;
• a drainage layer forms at the bottom: gravel, sand, its thickness cannot be less than 1/8 of the height of the pot.

Dracaena care after transplant

Recommendations for maintaining plant immunity:

• the soil is moistened 1 time every 2-3 days, and it is recommended to use melt water, it is harvested in advance, a liquid at room temperature is used;
• efficient ventilation is being set up, an alternative is regular ventilation;
• indoor air temperature - from + 25 ° С, at the adaptation stage it is important to create the most comfortable conditions, and the humidity level should not be less than 80%;
• direct sunlight should not fall on the flower, this will lead to burns on weakened leaves;
• during the growth period (in spring), fertilizers are introduced (every 2 weeks);
• at the initial stage of development, stimulating solutions should be used in a new pot, which activate the growth process of the shrub.

What problems may arise

Difficulties appearing when transplanting dracaena:

• if in the process the plant fell, the stem or root broke, cut off intact areas, place the cuttings in water or solution activated carbon, when the roots appear, the plants are planted in moistened vermiculite, covered with polyethylene and periodically ventilate;
• the pot is not disinfected, regardless of whether it is new or previously used, while at the same time on the roots (especially if they are partially damaged) harmful microorganisms enter, infection occurs plants;
• dracaena is watered a day before transplanting, as a result, the water does not have time to evaporate, the soil is too wet, which does not allow you to properly remove the root system from the pot, clear it of the earth (if it is necessary);
• the plant is covered with plastic wrap, while airing is not performed, which leads to the formation of condensation, an increase in humidity, and the development of a fungus;
• the shrub is watered too often and abundantly, in such conditions the root system rots, it must be remembered that the succulents are poorly suited, and not highly moistened soil;
• insufficient watering is a problem opposite to the previously considered error, in this case the soil dries up, becomes denser, which complicates the development of the shrub, as a result, it dies: the leaves turn yellow, fall off, appear lethargy.

If after transplanting the plant does not develop, its appearance deteriorates, you need to change the environmental parameters. For example, the temperature is more precisely regulated, it is possible that the difference of several degrees for the dracaena turned out to be significant. In addition, it is necessary to eliminate drafts, but it is important to frequently ventilate the room.

Check drainage (holes in the bottom of the pot are not covered with gravel, roots). If the environmental parameters are normal, it is recommended to use growth stimulants. The prepared solution is used to treat the aerial part of the dracaena.