On Aug 11, 6:19 am, Sheldon wrote:
On Aug 10, 10:02?pm, JayDee wrote:

Since my indoor dracaena recently took a turn for the worst, I thought
I'd ask some basic questions before I replace it. It was healthy for
two years, except for brown at the edge of the leaves so I guess my
first question is, is that normal for a dracaena? It didn't seem to
hurt anything. I never trimmed the small bits of brown off the leaves
since virtually all of them had it (only the tips were brown, not the
sides or heart of the leaves)

Second, in order to not overwater, I would water it once every week to
week and a half. I would pretty much fill it up with water, then let
it almost dry out before watering again (this was suggested by a local
nursery)

Sounds like you're drowning the poor plant and then starving it of
water. It's best to just keep it moderately moist all the time.

Finally, when I watered it I'd use tap water (LA tapwater - yipes!)
Should I be doing this or using the filter on my sink?

Most municipal water supplies fresh from the tap are pretty heavy on
chlorine... you may want to consider filling a large container and
letting it sit a few days for the chlorine to evaporate, then use that
water for your plants.

Finally, feeding. I can't recall the brand, but it's the little
pellets. I was spreading the food out over the top and then I worked
it into the soil, probably an inch down. I followed that up with a
good watering.

Can't comment if you don't know the brand you're using... how can you
not know the brand??? In any event I don't think pellet fertilizer is
good for house plants, probably too strong.

Perhaps your plant should be repotted in fresh sterilized potting mix
and a new pot.

so even though the tree is totally dried out - not necessarily brown,
but just very dried out - can the tree really come back to life by
replanting it??

It's just so weird that this happened as suddenly as it did... I've
been watering it the same way for so long with absolutely no problem.

and what about the brown tips? Is that normal for a dracaena?

thanks...

- Jason