Fertilizer for dracaena: terms and rules for feeding, mixtures for plant growth and flowering

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

Elements necessary for the proper growth of dracaena

A plant of this species is grown in slightly acidic soils. It is important that the soil contains peat, sand. But if useful substances are not included in its composition, it will not be possible to create suitable conditions for flowering.

Essential components:

• nitrogen - promotes growth, greening of leaves;
• phosphorus - provides protein synthesis, activates energy metabolism;
• potassium is another source of energy for plants; when it is deficient, the flower's resistance to infections and pests decreases.

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 Alternaria;
• boron - supports the function of the conducting system of the flower.

Also, the composition of the soil should contain manganese, molybdenum, cobalt, zinc.

How often do you need to fertilize dracaena

Top dressing should be done during the growing season: from April to the end of August. The timing of fertilization depends on the type of substance. For example, nitrogen-containing mixtures are used at the initial stage of growth. Other types of fertilizers are applied once every 2 weeks. For root dressing, you should choose liquid products. They are used after watering the plant.

In winter, you do not 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 for the delivery of nutrients, because spraying the leaves is impractical.

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

Signs of a lack of nutrition

When the appearance of dracaena changes, according to a number of signs, it can be assumed which substances are missing:

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

General rules for fertilization

It is important to use top dressing correctly.

The main recommendations for using it at home for better growth:

• the first doses of fertilizers should be applied to the substrate in March;
• if you plan to use a complex mixture (containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), choose a dosage of 3: 1: 3, respectively;
• excess nitrogen is the cause of the development of infections;
• you can not use products containing phosphorus;
• use just as much water for the preparation of the working solution as the manufacturer recommends; it is unacceptable to increase or decrease its amount.

Fertilizers for the growth and flowering of dracaena

Mineral and organic matter can be purchased at the store or made by yourself. In both cases, the dose of the components is controlled. The mixtures are alternated.

Ready-made mineral dressings

The most suitable option is the use of special formulations for succulents, ficuses and decorative deciduous plants. Care should be taken with preparations containing fluoride. Its excess is harmful to dracaena. Examples of complex preparations: “Master”, “Stimul”, “Ideal”, “Giant”, “Hera”.

Organic blends

Some growers use this type of product, others only use mineral fertilizers. However, it is better to combine them, then the plant will receive a sufficient amount of nutrients.

The frequency of processing is 1 time every 30 days.

For this, you can use a solution containing animal manure. The recommended ratio of this 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 over the leaves

The method of spraying the leaves is one of the most effective. It accelerates the elimination of negative processes in diseases caused by a decrease in immunity, nutritional deficiencies. But in this case, liquid should not be allowed to enter the dracaena sockets. Decay processes may develop.

Folk ways

Home remedies recipes to improve the appearance of plants without the need for store-bought formulations:

1. Onion peel decoction: 25 g of raw materials, 1 liter of water. The product is boiled, then cooled. Strain it before use.
2. Infusion based on bananas, citrus fruits. Prepare the peel of 1 banana, 2 oranges. They need to be filled with warm water, introduce 2 tbsp. l. Sahara. 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 drain, it is recommended to use this method along with others.

Errors when feeding dracaena and their consequences

If the experience of growing such a flower is not enough, problems may arise:

• for the treatment of dracaena, the use of any Agricola remedy is not recommended, as a result the leaves will wither, turn black, if there is no alternative, use only a variety for ficuses;
• violation of the frequency of fertilization, excessive mineralization contributes to yellowing of the leaves;
• fertilizers containing a lot of phosphorus and nitrogen must not be used.

There is no need to rely on the instant effect of the applied fertilizers. In most cases, the condition of the plant improves gradually. In addition, it is not always possible to correctly detect the cause of the pathological process in time.