On 6/26/2009 10:59 PM, jeff wrote:
jk451 wrote:
David E. Ross;852830 Wrote:
On 6/23/2009 11:27 AM, jk451 wrote:

Plant #1 is some kind of palm. Plant #2 is either a Dracaena or a
Cordyline (more likely the latter). I have a much smaller palm and a
much smaller Cordyline. I have a large Dracaena and two smaller ones.

The small plants all get the exact same care. I water them once each
week. I give each a little water to moisten the soil surface and let
it
soak in. Then I give each more water until there is a little in the
saucer underneath. I don't let the saucer fill to the top.

The large Dracaena gets watered at the same time as the smaller plants
BUT ONLY IF THE SOIL SURFACE IS QUITE DRY. Its pot is about twice the
size of the pot for your #2. My pot is set inside a slightly larger
jardinière; I can't see how much water has drained out of the pot and
into the larger container. If I do water it, I give it about a quart
or
two. But first, I test the surface with my finger to see if it's
damp;
if it is indeed damp, I wait another week.

Thank you very much. Searching for the images, I think that #2 is a
Cordyline.

From your description it seems that neither will completely die if they
don't get watered for a week, which is a rather nice tolerance to
forgetfulness.

The advice sounds right.

I think I have the same two plants bought at discount at Walmart. I
have them outdoors, repotted. Neither get much attention or watering and
are doing fine. It's rather hot these days. I think such plants are
better off with too little rather than too much water. Unlike most of my
non tropical plants.

Dracaena in particular will suffer if overwatered. I'm not sure about
Cordyline. They (and other house plants) are all thriving indoors with
my once-per-week schedule. However, in extremely hot weather (when the
air conditioner dries the already dry air) or during a Santa Anna wind
(outdoor humidity below 10%), I sometimes water twice a week.

If you don't live in southern California, you can read about Santa Anna
winds at my http://www.rossde.com/garden/index.html#santa_ana.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary