I have had a Yucca for 6-7 years. It is about 180cm tall and is in a pot 46cm wide and 40 cm tall. It is in as sunny position with no draft and I don't water it too frequently. May be once every 2 weeks in the summer and less in the winter. About a year ago the top broke off, as if it was brittle. This has now also happened to some of the secondary stems - the tops suddenly snap off. I can't notice any infestation. For the past year it has stopped growing. Any new growth is very slow and the new leaves are feeble and small, not the usuall strong spike of new growth which then should develop into new leaves. It is now spindly and only has leaves on the tops of the stems. A small number of leaves regularly turn brown and dry starting with the ends of the leaves and I remove these leaves. What should I do? Should it be re-potted? It have been in the present pot for 4-5 years but the pot I think is big enough. Should I change the soil? Should I cut it right down and wait for new growth? Please help! Thankyou!
Do you have some idea of what species it may be, or can you post a photo? The situation sounds scary.
Thanks Dave for you help. Photos attached. I don't know the species. Best regards. Simon from Warsaw.
Thanks for the photos. Your very nice-looking plant is a dracaena, a popular outdoor plant in the tropics (takes full sun, doesn't need excessive watering, and is easy to grow), and an extremely popular indoor plant. There seem to be lots of resources available via Google. I noted a suggestion that they should be watered with room-temperature water. I'm sure people with indoor dracaenas will have further suggestions.
Thank you Dave and Saltceder for the identification! But it still doesn't answer my question - what is wrong with it and how can I fix it? All suggestions appreciated! Please see below a description of the problem. Thanks! Simon in Warsaw.
I'm not good at indoor plants, so am hoping that someone will provide suggestions. Here's a few things you might consider: Check the base of the plant to see if it's soft. "Soft rot" might make it necessary to take cuttings from farther up the stem and root them. If the base of the plant is sound, make sure you let the soil dry before giving the plant water. Giving the plant fresh soil could help. Having the plant live outdoors during warm weather this summer might also help.
