can i convert a dracena into a hydroponic plant after gong through a very dificult winter outside?

Is this the same question you posted here: http://garden.org/thread/view_...

David, I'm sorry nobody responded to your first post a few days ago. I don't know which Dracaena you are thinking of converting to hydroponics but I don't know why you shouldn't give it a try!
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is sometimes grown strictly in water. I had a D. braunii growing in water for years. I got unrooted cuttings from somewhere and put them in a vase of water. I don't remember how long it took for those stems to produce roots but once roots appeared I put some pebbles in the bottom of the vase to weigh it down and to keep the water from stagnating, I'd empty the vase every few weeks and replace with fresh water. My plant grew like that for @ 6 or 7 years before I decided to pot it in soil.

If your plant has roots you should wash away as much soil as possible before putting it in the water to grow hydroponically.

I have grown similar Dracaena that Lin mentioned using water gel beads for about 7 years in a glass container with no drain holes before it started to decline, but I was able to salvage some green parts. Got to love the resilience of this plant as long as it gets some moisture.

But typically I grow my Dracaenas indoors, never outdoors here since it is too hot and dry.

You can try going semi-hydroponics if you want, using clay rocks as media and a plastic container with two drain holes about an inch or so from the bottom, so every time you water, excess water will drain, and still maintain reserve water below the drain hole. Clay rocks will wick water and Dracaena roots will have enough air and moisture at root zone level. But I would keep the plant indoors in an area with some bright light.

greene said:Is this the same question you posted here: http://garden.org/thread/view_...

But no body replied

plantladylin said:David, I'm sorry nobody responded to your first post a few days ago. I don't know which Dracaena you are thinking of converting to hydroponics but I don't know why you shouldn't give it a try!
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is sometimes grown strictly in water. I had a D. braunii growing in water for years. I got unrooted cuttings from somewhere and put them in a vase of water. I don't remember how long it took for those stems to produce roots but once roots appeared I put some pebbles in the bottom of the vase to weigh it down and to keep the water from stagnating, I'd empty the vase every few weeks and replace with fresh water. My plant grew like that for @ 6 or 7 years before I decided to pot it in soil.

If your plant has roots you should wash away as much soil as possible before putting it in the water to grow hydroponically.

I will consider your answer. I think i should be more specific and send a picture. Thanks alot

tarev said:I have grown similar Dracaena that Lin mentioned using water gel beads for about 7 years in a glass container with no drain holes before it started to decline, but I was able to salvage some green parts. Got to love the resilience of this plant as long as it gets some moisture.

But typically I grow my Dracaenas indoors, never outdoors here since it is too hot and dry.

You can try going semi-hydroponics if you want, using clay rocks as media and a plastic container with two drain holes about an inch or so from the bottom, so every time you water, excess water will drain, and still maintain reserve water below the drain hole. Clay rocks will wick water and Dracaena roots will have enough air and moisture at root zone level. But I would keep the plant indoors in an area with some briIo ght light.

I like the half half solution it wont work on a carpet. Thanks

davidsevit said:

But no body replied

You had made the first post about 8:00 on a Saturday morning...this time of year many people have busy weekend obligations which is probably why it did not get any quick answers. Timing the question on Monday achieved better results.

The Dracena plants at our local Chinese restaurant live very happily in water with no soil; they get only fluorescent lighting. They change the water about every 2 weeks and (this might be important) they use only rain water, not tap water. I didn't ask them what they use for fertilizer.

greene said:

You had made the first post about 8:00 on a Saturday morning...this time of year many people have busy weekend obligations which is probably why it did not get any quick answers. Timing the question on Monday achieved better results.

The Dracena plants at our local Chinese restaurant live very happily in water with no soil; they get only fluorescent lighting. They change the water about every 2 weeks and (this might be important) they use only rain water, not tap water. I didn't ask them what they use for fertilizer.

thanks for your reply...sorry that was not my question.
never mind i have a solution thanks