How does the dragon blood tree fork?

Topping fork time selection

Although the growth of the dragon blood tree is slow, it is not to the extent that there is no change in a year. The branches that have grown taller are slender and appear weak, not as vigorous as when they were young.

In spring, you can top it, cut off the main stem, and let it sprout new branches.

Split Fork Tips

The tools used for topping and pruning must be sharp so that the wound will be flat and smooth and the incision will heal faster.

When pruning, you can leave the leaves or not. The Dracaena is very hardy and will not die easily. The cut tops can also be used for cuttings, and the survival rate is very high.

Generally, you can see a circle of new buds around the wound after two weeks. If you want to keep a few, choose the strong ones and remove the others.

Will natural growth split?

Artificial topping and bifurcation is a commonly used method in the cultivation of Dracaena, but if topping and bifurcation are not done, it can also bifurcate naturally.

However, the plant shape of the dragon blood tree due to its natural growth is not as beautiful as that of artificial topping. The branches are uneven, and the time and position of the branches cannot be determined. Moreover, after branching, the dragon blood tree, which grows slowly to begin with, grows even worse and takes time to take shape.

This is one of the reasons why everyone wants to see how the dragon blood tree is artificially bifurcated.

Although the Dracaena grows slowly, it has apical advantage, meaning that it grows fastest and best at the top, and the ones below have no chance to come out, just like the relationship between Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince William and other crown princes. Although royal competition should be gentle and peaceful, the growth of dragon blood trees is inevitably a bit violent.

Pinching off the top growth point gives the plant a chance to sprout new branches and also gives the plant a chance to shape itself, thus achieving the best of both worlds.