Dracaena braunii is a kind of shrub that belongs to the family of Asparagaceae plants. They are generally known as lucky bamboo and should not be confused with true bamboos, since they are related to the grass family.
On the other hand, the Dracaena is linked to the family of the well-known agaves and even with the family, although it may not seem like it, of the onions.
Features
This is a group formation of some small bushes that have quite thin stems as well as flexible, with leaves that have a shape similar to that of a ribbon and they usually grow as an understory plant in many of the tropical rainforests.
This shrub has an upright growth that is usually 1,5 meters tall, with leaves that are 15 to 25 centimeters long and 1,5 to 4 centimeters wide in the area of the base.
This is a product that is used for global trade, being developed as a Chinese plant for decoration which receives the name of lucky bamboo (although it is not related to bamboos and is not a plant that comes from Asia), starting from a few short cuttings, which are usually placed in water.
This is one of the Dracaena species that comes from Cameroon in areas that have a tropical climate in West Africa.
Cultivation and uses
This plant like its related species, they are quite popular plants for home decoration, with an extensive amount of crops sold. They have the ability to survive in very closed environments, however they prefer to receive indirect lighting, since the sunlight they receive directly can cause their leaves to turn yellow and burn.
Although they have better growth in the soil, often sold with roots submerged in water, a water that needs to be changed in its entirety every two weeks.
Said water has to be bottled, water that comes from the tap that contains little amount of fluoride, or you can even put filter water for aquariums.
It has a better development when it is in full light, with lighting that is indirect As we have already mentioned previously and with a temperature that exceeds 15 ° C until reaching 25 ° C.
They are often sold in huge chains of specialized pet stores, placed in pots rooted with a submerged rock, giving the indication that this plant is aquatic. It is true that they have the ability to survive in this way for long months, but over time, this plant will rot if the shoots are not placed out of the water.
Those edges on the leaves that are yellow or brown can be caused by a excessive exposure to direct sunlightDue to excessive root production or high fluoride content in the water or chlorine, the latter can be avoided by placing the tap water outdoors for a day before using it for the plant.
Those twisted shapes that the plant can have can be caused by its rotation, in relation to gravity, as well as the light that is directed towards said plant.
Care
The first thing to consider is if you want place your plant in water or on the ground. Each of the options has its advantages, it all depends on the way in which you are prepared to take care of it.
Adding too much soil or too much fertilizer can damage the plant. However, if you use tap water with a lot of chemical content, the most appropriate thing is that you use soil and a little fertilizer in order to prevent the tips of the leaves from turning yellow.
The next thing is to choose the best container for your plant. The pot needs to be at least two inches taller than the plant you have chosen. As usual, these bamboo plants already come in a potHowever, you can choose the one you want the most to give it your personal touch.
If you want to speed up the growth of your plant a bit, you can add a little fertilizer. It is important to avoid using it in excess. The risks have to be moderate. These are plants that do not require a lot of water.
It is necessary that the plant is protected from direct sunlight. For this, it must be placed in an open area that receives sufficient light, but is not exposed to sunlight.
If you want your lucky bamboo plant to have a little more flair, you can choose some stems to make a nice linked arrangement. For that, it is important that you use the stems that are younger.
Eliminate dead leaves and those of yellow color, since due to certain factors, the edges of the leaves of the plant can turn this color and that is why they need to be eliminated. Whole leaves should be removed by pulling them down towards the base near the stem, and for the yellow ones you can use sterilized scissors.
If you notice that one or a couple of stems have grown too tall, you can cut them and then re-sow. This is a great help so that the plant does not get too bushy.
Management
This is a plant that has a lot of resistance and does not usually have many problems with pests or diseases. If the case occurs that the presence of some ponding and the sunlight is little, it is possible that it has been attacked by the presence of two kinds of fungi that can cause very serious damage to areas of the plant such as the leaves or the stem.
If, on the contrary, you see that the leaves turn yellow, it is very important that you eliminate them before they spread to all areas of the plant.
If, on the other hand, they turn white or brown, it means that the plant is rotting, therefore it is essential that you change the pot and put clean water on it. Likewise, it is important that you cut the area of the stem that is damaged so that in this way you can save the part that is much healthier.