The Retirement Thread

[PaulSB]

The plant was given to us by a friend so I’m not sure of the species. I could repot it with fresh compost and see how it fares, it’s kept indoors in shade, it thrived for several months but is looking a bit sorry at the moment.

It's Dracena marginata. I can't tell you the actual variety as there are several. "Marginata" because the leaves have a distinct margin which is usually red or crimson.

Your plant looks to be overwatered. I would let it dry out but not completely and remove the brown dead leaves. Once it's dried out a bit remove the pot and inspect the roots. If darl brown/black and mushy there's little hope. If the roots are pale brown or similar and have white tips they're health. Try breaking a small bit of root, if it's white inside the root is healthy.

I would only repot if it's pot bound.

 

[Tenkaykev]

The plant was given to us by a friend so I’m not sure of the species. I could repot it with fresh compost and see how it fares, it’s kept indoors in shade, it thrived for several months but is looking a bit sorry at the moment.

Replying to myself, I’ve just repotted it in a bigger pot. I did notice that the roots were going round in a circle at the base of the original pot (“ pot bound “ )?
Gave the fresh compost a good soaking and will leave it in the garden for a while 🤞

 

[Tenkaykev]

It's Dracena marginata. I can tell you the actual variety as there are several. "Marginata" because the leaves have a distinct margin which is usually red or crimson.

Your plant looks to be overwatered. I would let it dry out but not completely and remove the brown dead leaves. Once it's dried out a bit remove the pot and inspect the roots. If darl brown/black and mushy there's little hope. If the roots are pale brown or similar and have white tips they're health. Try breaking a small bit of root, if it's white inside the root is healthy.

I would only repot if it's pot bound.

Thank you! Your post arrived moments after I’d posted my message. The roots were pale and the thicker ones were following the circumference of the original pot. As I said, I did water it after repotting so I can’t “ unwater “ it!

 

[PaulSB]

No paulSB today either.

Thank you.

Don't worry you can't get rid of me easily. After waking very early I woke late and had to rush to get to the ride meet point. Unfortunately I suffered a rapid deflation event and faced the walk home - it was less than a mile so no point in wrestling with a tubeless tyre by the roadside. Got home, investigated in kitchen sink and found the valve had come slightly loose in its sheath and was leaking at an alarming rate.

Being a bit peed off by now I've spent the day on the allotment.

 

[PaulSB]

Thank you! Your post arrived moments after I’d posted my message. The roots were pale and the thicker ones were following the circumference of the original pot. As I said, I did water it after repotting so I can’t “ unwater “ it!

Sounds as though its only pot bound and suffering as a result. Good luck, Dracena will put up with a lot but doesn't like to be overwatered.

 

[classic33]

Thank you.

Don't worry you can't get rid of me easily. After waking very early I woke late and had to rush to get to the ride meet point. Unfortunately I suffered a rapid deflation event and faced the walk home - it was less than a mile so no point in wrestling with a tubeless tyre by the roadside. Got home, investigated in kitchen sink and found the valve had come slightly loose in its sheath and was leaking at an alarming rate.

Being a bit peed off by now I've spent the day on the allotment.

I were nearly right!

He was on in the early hours, candidate for the 0300 Club I'd think. Probably still asleep, if he went back.

Did you get the tyre sorted?

 

[Tenkaykev]

Sounds as though its only pot bound and suffering as a result. Good luck, Dracena will put up with a lot but doesn't like to be overwatered.

I've wondered how people tell when infrequently watered plants need 'topping up". I misted the leaves a couple of times a week and perhaps watered it about once per month or so. I'd feel the soil around the plant and it felt dry so I thought it might need water. Is there a probe of some description that goes into the soil, or is it experience and intuition?

 

[classic33]

I've wondered how people tell when infrequently watered plants need 'topping up". I misted the leaves a couple of times a week and perhaps watered it about once per month or so. I'd feel the soil around the plant and it felt dry so I thought it might need water. Is there a probe of some description that goes into the soil, or is it experience and intuition?

Summat like this?
https://www.wilko.com/wilko-soil-moisture-ph-tester/p/0261281

 

[Tenkaykev]

Summat like this?
https://www.wilko.com/wilko-soil-moisture-ph-tester/p/0261281

Oh my days! All these years of slowly killing house plants when the solution was there for want of looking 😮

 

[Dave7]

I thought he'd been quiet lately, hope things are OK.

Sh*t few days as that fatigue hit me again PLUS my phone decided to "ignore" this
thread......but I am back now

 

[Dave7]

I hope everything is ok with @Dave7

Thank you.......I am back

 

[classic33]

Sh*t few days as that fatigue hit me again PLUS my phone decided to "ignore" this
thread......but I am back now

Noticed you'd posted on the football.
You'll not be going to that parade will you?

 

[Dave7]

Noticed you'd posted on the football.
You'll not be going to that parade will you?

I could enter that thread but my phone would not let me get into this one.....sorted now.

 

[classic33]

I could enter that thread but my phone would not let me get into this one.....sorted now.

I dunno!
No "show ignored content" at the bottom of the page?

 

[Dave7]

I dunno!
No "show ignored content" at the bottom of the page?

Too technical for me is that. All I know is that my phone would not let me in.