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This is one of the most popular plants used in homes and offices, probably because it thrives on neglect and can grow
in low light conditions. Janet Craigs, with their long leathery dark green shiny leaves
can be a table plant, a bushy floor plant, or a tall cane plant. The Janet Craig Lisa,
a relatively new variety, is a little pricey but virtually indestructible. NASA lists
the dracaena Janet Craig among its top ten clean air
plants.
Houseplant 411 for the iPhone & i Pod Touch
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CARE
OF DRACAENA JANET CRAIG
Light: A Janet Craig does very well in low- light but will grow faster in medium light: . If the light is extremely sparse, new leaves may be smaller and narrower. Placing your Janet Craig in the direct
sun for just a few minutes will burn the leaves.
Water: With a dracaena
Janet Craig, less is always better than more. Water the plant well and then allow the soil to dry out before watering again.
The darker the area, the less frequently you should water. The tips of the leaves of a Janet Craig will turn dark when it
is over watered or if there is too much fluoride in the water.
Temperature:
A Janet Craig does not like temperatures below 55 degrees and does best in a warm room. Cold winter draughts will quickly
damage the leaves.
Fertilizer: These dracaenas do not need very much in
the way of plant food. Feed your Janet Craig once or twice in the spring and summer with a basic houseplant food.
Pests: Janet Craigs may get mealy bugs and scale. Spray the green solution and then carefully wipe the leaves. This will get rid of dust buildup as well as the pests.
This is a NASA clean air plant.
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| Dracaena Janet Craig Compacta |
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| Dracaena Janet Craig Cane |
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DRACAENA JANET CRAIG FAQ’S
1. I want to buy a Janet Craig for a room with tall ceilings. If I buy a short one, how
quickly will it grow?
Janet Craigs are very slow growers. You should purchase one that is pretty close to the
height you eventually want it to be.
2. I guess I must have over watered my dracaena
Janet Craig and now the tips of the leaves are brown. Can I trim the leaves or do I have to cut off the damaged leaves?
Trim the leaves into their original pointed shape using very sharp wet scissors. Using wet scissors helps prevent the cut
edges from turning yellow.
3. My Janet Craig is touching the ceiling. What should
I do?
You can cut the stems or canes back; be sure to use a diagonal cut. The plant will branch out below the
cut, so think about the shape of the plant before you do anything drastic. Dip the cut ends of the stems you removed into
rooting hormone; plant three or four stems in a pot, and start a new plant.
4.
I am getting a flower on my Janet Craig. It is huge and smells wonderful. Should I leave it or cut it off?
The
flowers present a couple of problems: the stalk and flower growth often ruin the shape of the Janet Craig; and as the flower
dies it secretes a sticky messy sap. I recommend removing the flowers sooner rather than later.
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