Plant of happiness: how to take care of it and live happily!
The plant of happiness better known as the log of happiness has the power to give harmony and good humor to every house in which it is located. It is an ideal plant to give as a gift for this very reason! Surrounding yourself with green plants, however, is always a fabulous choice: also discover all the plants that, among the many benefits, purify the air of your habituation and only for this reason make you feel immediately happier: watch this video!
The Plant of Happiness: Dracaena fragrans
Its scientific name Dracaena Fragrans in ancient Greek means "female dragon", drakaina, as the shamans healed the sores with the red resin taken from one of its varieties. It is native to tropical Africa, belongs to the Agavaceae family and to the genus of Dracaene. Dracaena fragrans is a species with completely green leaves, while the Massangeana cultivar has variegated leaves with a central yellow streak. At the Tronchetto della Felicità, very resistant, it needs a constant temperature of 18 to 21 ° C and sufficient humidity. Dracaena fragrans, being a tropical plant, does not like the cold. Therefore, offer it a bright exposure, but not in full sun, especially in the summer months that are too hot. Also at home, do not place it too close to heat sources, nor exposed to cold drafts. Both Fragrans and the other more widespread variety, Marginata, grow well in the shade, although obviously more slowly and with less brilliant leaves. Fragrans has a bare stem with leaves hanging down at the top. The Marginata has cream-colored stripes with leaves also in the base of the trunk. The fallen leaves leave very variegated and decorative brakes on the trunk. This evergreen plant in its natural environment grows up to six meters, as a furnishing plant it can reach two meters in height. Its price usually varies according to the size. According to a "fascinating theory, the Tronchetto della happiness not only possesses a great capacity for the production of oxygen and for the purification of environments, absorbing polluting and harmful substances, such as formaldehyde and benzene, but also has among its properties that of being beneficial against anxiety, emotional stress and depression.
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Irrigation, flowering, pruning and fertilization for the Plant of Happiness
The humidity must be high, so you have to water it all year round, but be careful of stagnant water. In summer it needs to be bathed twice a week and in winter only once a week. You must irrigate it regularly, but especially from "early spring to" summer, by spraying the water often with a sprayer. Clean the leaves with cotton wool soaked in water. To keep them shiny you can wipe them with a solution of water and milk. On the terrace or looking at it, it is fine anyway, if the temperature is usually mild. It is not a frequent occurrence, but the trunk of Happiness. it can also flower from March to October even at home with sweetly scented cream flowers. It does not require regular pruning, but regular cleaning to eliminate dust, dry or yellow parts and to avoid the presence of parasites. excess, then you can prune it in summer. With the pruned branches you can make cuttings to plant in ceramic pots placed in a warm and bright place. You can get new seedlings with an apical cutting or with stem segments in early spring or at the end of the summer: after two months the shoots of other Tronchetti della Felicità will sprout. Cut a stem of 10 centimeters and apply mastic on it. Thanks to this operation they will sprout later but ssimo two months new buds on the sides of the trunk. Every two years you can transplant it in the spring in a larger pot so as not to compress the roots. The plant of Happiness must be fertilized with a fertilizer containing nitrogen and potassium in spring and summer together with irrigation water every week. The fertilizer must be suspended in autumn and winter. For house plants, fertilizer with Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum and Zinc is used, which can be easily purchased online on Amazon with fast shipping. If you find fallen leaves with reddish spots it is the sap of the Dracaena, which turns red by oxidation.
The plant of happiness: beware of parasites!
Even the Log of Happiness, although very resistant, can be attacked by parasites or other diseases. How can you deal with these drawbacks? First of all, don't make mistakes in cultivation. If the leaves turn yellow it is because the pots are too small or there is no fertilizer. Sometimes the tips dry out due to inadequate watering or a temperature that is not beneficial for the plant. Eliminate the damaged part and place it away from heat sources, adjust watering according to the climate, checking for stagnation or lack of water. Sometimes it also depends on poor soil, too much sun as well as lack of adequate humidity. Much fertilizer than water can cause ocher spots around the leaves.
Rolled up leaves may be seen during spring and this may indicate the presence of parasites. To eliminate them, pyrethrum and tansy, organic products, are useful; it is also important to reduce the amount of fertilizer. The presence of milky-colored sticky substances reveal an infestation of scale insects, which invade the weakened plants, especially in too hot and humid environments.
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It must be provided with a wash with water and Marseille soap. If the effects are not satisfactory, it will be necessary to resort to insecticides. Other unwanted presences are the red spiders. Mites are prevented by keeping the environmental humidity high and avoiding too hot exposures. Dedicate a corner of your apartment or terrace to the cultivation of the logs of Happiness. You can also decide for a larger pot with more logs side by side like a small hedge. We recommend that you repot purchased plants to check the state of the roots or change the soil if it is not of good quality. However, the most suitable season for this operation is spring. Choose the most breathable and stable terracotta pots, so as not to damage the plant in case of wind. A double layer with gravel, expanded clay and lapillus with a draining function, is very useful for the well-being of the plant. Double check that the drainage holes are free. Every fortnight you can also immerse the pot up to the edge in a basin to give it more hydration or place it on the balcony when it rains. Be careful if you have a cat or a dog in case: this plant is often toxic for our four-legged friends and therefore as a precaution take care not to let them get too close to your beloved log.
