Please help!!! I've been reading on this forum and have discovered that my dracaena marginata is dying due to over-watering, and that it has fungus gnats (which are almost gone). Originally there were 4 main stalks coming out of the soil (sorry I'm fairly new to gardening so forgive for not knowing the names of things and such) and they were all losing leaves. Then one of the stalks turned completely mushy and fell right over. I pulled it out and the other ones seemed ok. Then another one went mushy. This time I cut it off just below the mushiness but it doesn't seem to be doing anything - just the bark is getting loose and I think it's dead. Then a third stalk lost almost all of it's leaves. At this time I figured out the fungas gnat problem and stopped watering as much. To my surprise the third stalk shot out a collection of new leaves but they never opened and when I touched it the other day the top part of the stalk fell over (and it's all mushy). The fourth one seems completely healthy with lots of leaves. I would really like the save the third stalk (the one with the new leaves). What would I do to try to save it? Cut it off below the mushiness (which I tried with the second one but it didn't seem to work)? Or stake it up and quit watering for a while? Any other suggestions of what I can do to save this one? I would really like to have more than one stalk in the pot, which does have drainage holes. Any help would be greatly appreciated! And thanks to everyone who shares their knowledge and helps to make my brown thumbs just a little greener :)
The only thing you can do now is cut the top or tops off "above" where the mushy stems end, like up a couple inches or so more into healthy looking tissue to make sure there is no rot whatsoever in the stems you want to root. Use a small pot with some good draining soil with maybe some Perlite added for extra drainage. Use a sharp clean pair of scissor, or clippers and cut enough stem below the leaves so it can stand up ok in the pot, like maybe four inches of stem with 2" being in the soil. Water it in some and don't water it again until it's pretty close to dry. Give it indirect bright light:>)
Thanks for the reply. I'm still a little confused though. My plant seems to be dying from the top down so the mushy part is where the leaves are and into the top of the stem (this is how it was for the other two that are completely dead now too). Can I cut the top off and leave just the good stem, therefore getting rid of the mushy stuff? And if so, how do I get the leftover stump to do anything? Thanks again!
Hmmmm, mushy from the top down huh?. I have to admit I have never seen that happen. If the roots rotted, Id always see the rot move upwards on the stems. Have you checked for pest? Ok, what you can do then is cut the stems back to about a foot or less, new leaves will grow near the cuts, as long as the roots are ok and you don't overwater. If the roots are mushy, cut out middle pieces that are healthy and try rooting them in a small pot.
brownthumbs...I have seen this before, I don't know what causes it, but yes, Bluewing is right, cut where the branch becomes firm again and soon you should have new growth coming out the sides, water as normal. Thats how they take cuttings when the plant is healthy, good luck Ed
Thanks to both of you for your help. I will cut it back when I get home tonight and hopefully it works! Is there anything I can put on the stump to help stimulate new growth?
I just wanted to drop a note of gratitude to the wonderful souls who have finally helped me with my poor plant! I have been through easily dozens of sites trying to find out what kind of plant it was to begin with, but moreso to find out why it's dying and what to do with it... I thank you greatly for your advice and information regarding the other person's plant as it would seem I have been having the exact same issues with mine and at least i may have a fighting chance to save it! Your expertise is incredibly appreciated, Thank-you all!
help me too! i know nothing Re: dracaena marginata dying...help!! I AM HAving similar issue with the plant in the office. I dont know WHY its growing "dead" any help would be greatly appreciated i attach a photo
