Dragon Tree Seedlings Propagated From Seeds!

This is truly a happy day! As I’d mentioned in previous posts, I’ve been attempting to propagate dragon trees (also known as drago trees and Dracaena draco trees). The cuttings from my mature dragon tree have been thriving in containers filled with ordinary potting soil (see my previous May 26 post for more detailed information on this method of dragon tree propagation). The tree cuttings were too beautiful to throw away! But now, the seeds from this tree have themselves begun to sprout! I’m stunned beyond belief! I’ll document their growth progress on this blog, but already the seedlings are producing very tiny characteristic sword-like leaves. Incredible.

HOW TO: The seeds produced by this tree are actually attached to large seed stalks that emerge from a mature dragon tree (see my May 26 post to see a close up picture of the seed stalk). I’d initially planted ripe, whole bright orange seed “berries” into a 5-gallon container of potting soil and watered a few times a week. Nothing happened for one month, so I dug out the “berries.” The orange flesh had not decomposed during this time. I removed the orange flesh covering the hard seeds and replanted the seeds in their container. As you can see in the photo, there are two seedlings. The one on the left is still connected to its seed, looking like a little snail! In this single 5-gallon container, I planted a total of 12 orange-flesh removed dragon tree seeds, in hopes that at least one would sprout. In time, 10 more may emerge. A dozen baby dragon trees in one pot may be in my future! As the trees become more mature, they may be ready to be transferred from container to planting directly into the ground. In my May 24 post, you’ll see why this tree is not meant to be a “forever” container plant! Keep reading this blog for future posts on this developing story!

NOTE: If you are planting dragon tree seeds that have been pre-processed or already ”de-fleshed” of its orange ”berry” flesh, I have no information about the level of success one might achieve by propagating dragon trees in that fashion. Does the orange flesh have properties that protect or nourish the hard seed to ensure successful propagation? Does the orange flesh not matter? I’m not sure!

Perhaps visitors of this blog who have had success propagating dragon trees with pre-processed or “de-fleshed” dry dragon tree seeds can share their success stories. I’ll try to propagate, in a separate container, dragon trees with some “de-fleshed” dry dragon tree seeds to see if propagation takes place(there are a few on my driveway, courtesy of hungry birds!). So, it’s taken a little shy of two months for my dragon tree seeds to sprout. It’s such a short wait to see the beginning of a what will be a majestic tree. I’ve never grown trees from seed (or cuttings) before, so I’m completely in awe. Wow!