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Avatar for hstokesdesi
Nov 16, 2024 9:16 AM CST
Thread OP
Toronto Canada
I can't get my Draconian lemon lime to thrive. Its leaves always turn yellow and then brown and crispy until I have to pull them off. It's beside a west facing window which always has sheer blinds down. Room temperature environment. Pot has drainage holes. I don't overwater (as far as I know). I've closed the AC vent near the plant so it's not getting cold air. I've tried watering it more and watering less and it doesn't seem to make a difference. I want this plant to be healthy but I don't know what to do!


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Last edited by hstokesdesi Nov 16, 2024 9:17 PM Icon for preview
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Nov 16, 2024 11:58 AM CST
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
Your plant isn't getting enough light.
Avatar for Iochroma
Nov 16, 2024 3:04 PM CST
San Francisco Bay area (Zone 9a)
North windows in Canada 🇨🇦 are not all that great; the "sheer" curtains block most of the possible light, so that can be remedied by keeping them up.
I find this cultivar to be difficult to keep in good condition; also many that are sold are infected with two pathogens that weaken and disfigure them. Your plant appears to show symptoms of one.
It may be getting too much water or water too frequently.
They can be allowed to get bone dry to the bottom of the pot. Especially in winter go dry and stay there.
If it recovers it will be a slow process, taking many months. If it still has spotty leaves this time next year, replace it.
Avatar for MsDoe
Nov 16, 2024 8:53 PM CST
Southwest U.S. (Zone 7a)
Iochroma, could you elaborate a bit? What are the two pathogens, and are they treatable?
Thanks! Thank You!
Avatar for hstokesdesi
Nov 16, 2024 9:19 PM CST
Thread OP
Toronto Canada
@Ichochroma I just realized it's actually a west facing window. I assume that may change things?
Avatar for Iochroma
Nov 17, 2024 8:49 AM CST
San Francisco Bay area (Zone 9a)
hstokesdesi said: @Ichochroma I just realized it's actually a west facing window. I assume that may change things?

Yes, in that it is much better light than a North window; no, in that you must still raise the blinds so the plant can get some light.
Avatar for Iochroma
Nov 17, 2024 8:56 AM CST
San Francisco Bay area (Zone 9a)
MsDoe said: Iochroma, could you elaborate a bit? What are the two pathogens, and are they treatable?
Thanks! Thank You!

There are no practical treatments for the home gardener; the nursery who grows them should be keeping them clean. Florida-grown plants are suspect; Hawai'i-grown ones are usually clean.
This form of D. warneckii shows the disfigurement very obviously, but many species of Dracaena are affected. Never buy a Dracaena with spots. Sterilize your tools after cutting an infected plant.
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Nov 18, 2024 9:32 AM CST
Name: Sally
central Maryland (Zone 7b)
See you in the funny papers!
Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Procrastinator Charter ATP Member Hummingbirder Frogs and Toads Houseplants
Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Region: Maryland Composter Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener
I struggled for several years with one of these, the pathogen theory makes perfect sense to me.
Plant it and they will come.
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