Brazil trunk plant (Dracaena Fragrans), also known as Brazilwood or waterwood, is the green variety of the Dracaena family. They are easy to grow and hardy, they have no special requirements in terms of water, light and other aspects of their daily care. Let’s see how to grow Trunk of Brazil and how to care for it.
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Main Features
Brazil trunk is a slow-growing, tree-like houseplant. It is usually composed of several thick stems from the same root system.
Mature specimens reach 10 m or more, with a crown of thin vertical branches and large leaves.
The stems can reach up to 30 cm in diameter in mature plants. Young plants have a single branchless stem with a rosette of leaves.
The leaves are bright green, lanceolate, 20-150 cm long and 2-12 cm wide. They closely resemble normal corn foliage.
Trunk of Brazil flowers grow in panicles (clusters of loose branches) that can measure between 15 and 160 cm, depending on the size of the plant.
The fruits of Dracaena are orange-red berries 1-2 cm in diameter and contain numerous seeds.
How to Propagate Brazil Trunk
Brazil trunk is a perfect plant to propagate as it is usually easy to get buds.
If you want to propagate your Brazil trunk, it’s best to wait until spring because that’s when the growing season begins.
Start by making a 4 to 6 inch cut from a healthy stem that has sprouts. Use a sterilized instrument so as not to damage the plant.
Place the cutting in a new pot with fresh soil and make sure the shoots stay above ground level. Water immediately and place the pot where it will not receive direct sunlight.
Make sure the soil is still moist but not waterlogged. When you see new leaves and stems have started to grow, you can transplant into a larger pot or into the garden.
Ideal conditions for the cultivation of Trunk of Brazil
Dracaena Fragrans plants thrive in partial shade, it is important, especially during the hot summer months, not to expose it to direct sunlight. The sun can scorch the leaves causing them to burn or turn white.
If your plant is going to be exposed to strong, direct light, be sure to shield it with a curtain or other light-filtering item.
Lack of light can also be a problem, as low indirect light can cause variegated cultivars to lose some of their light streaks.
Mature plants grown indoors will develop long, elongated, slender leaves with very little diversification. You can cut them to your preferred length if they become unattractive and new growth will soon appear.
Temperature
The trunk of Brazil does very well when temperatures are above 13°C, but if it is hotter it can suffer from leaf burn.
In hot weather, the leaves will begin to twist and bend in an effort to reduce their exposure to the sun. When temperatures drop, the leaves return to their normal shape.
It is susceptible to cold damage if temperatures drop below 5°C, especially if it is windy. You should keep your Brazil trunk away from cold, strong winds.
Cold-damaged plants have light gray or brown leaf margins. Plants with visible signs of cold weather damage will survive, but be careful not to cut off damaged leaves just yet. Let the plant recover first.
Humidity
Brazil trunk loves humidity, but winter is usually a time of low humidity in most homes due to indoor heating. You can easily keep a plant healthy by lightly misting the leaves with a stream of water to increase humidity.
You can also place the potted plant in a tray filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, the environment around the plant will be pleasantly moist.
Brazilian trunk treatment
Irrigation
If you water the Brazilian trunk plants properly, they will grow healthy and quickly become wonderful companions for your other flowers and shrubs.
They are water lovers, so they need regular watering. Be careful though, as overwatering can damage your plant and cause root rot.
Overwatering is a common mistake that every gardener has made at least once. Try applying the “soak and dry” technique until you find the perfect watering balance.
When you water, make sure the soil is thoroughly soaked. Excess water must be drained off.
It is very important to grow Brazil trunk in well-drained soil that absorbs plenty of water and stays moderately dry between waterings.
If you don’t live in a rainy area, be sure to water the plants often in the spring and summer, or the tips of their leaves will turn brown.
Pass
Experts recommend not using any type of fertilizer when growing Log of Brazil, as it can cause more harm than good.
They usually do very well without it, but if you think your plant needs extra nutrients, you can feed it from time to time.
Cut
Brazil trunks generally do not need pruning, although you may want to prune them to a shape or size that suits your space.
To reduce the height of your plant, simply cut the top horizontally, using sharp scissors.
You can also prune leaves that have turned brown or look damaged and unhealthy. To do this, remove them from the nodes (where the leaves grow from the branch).
harmful
Brazilian trunk plants may attract scale insects or spider mites. To prevent insects from attaching themselves to your plant, clean the leaves regularly.
Wet your plants with a spray bottle and a drop of a mild, natural cleaner like neem oil to remove pests and dust. If your corn plant is failing due to an infestation, use an insecticide spray or specialized mite spray.
Brazil graft trunk
The plant should be repotted every year to promote its growth and ensure that it is happy and healthy.
It’s a simple process and all you have to do is gently lift it out of its current pot and remove any clinging soil, taking care not to damage its roots.
It may also be interesting to read: How to grow red clover (Oxalis Triangularis) and its care
Place the plant in a larger pot and pour fresh soil around its base. Don’t tamp the new soil too much, or you risk preventing good drainage.
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