Title

Dumb Cane Care & Propagation Guide

Written by Ivy

Nov 22 2021

Dumb Cane Care & Propagation Guide
Many families like to raise some green plants to decorate their homes, especially some simple plants such as dumb cane, which almost every family will like. Dumb cane is a popular indoor ornamental flower now. It is suitable for potting, and it can be placed in the living room, study, etc. it is very beautiful and elegant, and the ornamental value is still quite high, but you know how to raise dumbe can? Now let's take a look at the Propagation methods and key points of dumb cane.

Dumb Cane Quick Info

Botanical/Scientific Name Dieffenbachia
Common Name Dumb Cane
Varieties Dieffenbachia Starbright,Dieffenbachia Amoena Tropic Snow,Dieffenbachia Camilla,Dieffenbachia Compacta,Dieffenbachia Maculata
Uses Improves indoor air quality,Beautify
Origin Caribbean and South America
Light Care Bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade
Soil Care Not overly moist
Temperature Care Between 65-75 ºF (18-23 ºC)
Humidity Care 60% humidity level
Watering It can tolerate missed watering
Pruning Care Stems should be cut with a sharp, clean knife on a 45-degree angle back to 6 inches tall.
Fertilizer Care Complete fertilizer
Propagation Rooting cuttings
Toxic Toxic to Dogs and Cats

Dumb Cane Care in Detail

Dumb Cane Care & Propagation Guide

Dumb Cane Watering

I believe that many families have planted Dumb Cane. Dumb Cane likes wet environment, which requires us to water more frequently, about once a day. If it's in hot summer, Dumb Cane needs to water sooner or later. Of course, if it's in cold winter, we can pour less water for Dumb Cane.
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Dumb Cane Soil

The Dumb Cane didn't have high requirements for the soil, and it had a strong adaptability. However, if the Dumb Cane wanted to grow thick, it was better to plant the kaleidoscope in fertile soil, and it required good soil with good water discharge and rich organic matters. In addition, we can add grass, tree ash, pearl and so on in the soil.

Dumb Cane Light

In addition to maintaining sufficient water, a certain amount of sunlight was also one of the dos and don'ts of the indoor Dumb Cane. Sunshine is an essential element for the sunlight in the Dumb Cane. If you want the Dumb Cane to grow healthily and exuberantly, you can put it in a place with sunshine for a short time. If the sunshine is not enough, it is a good choice to push it out to bask in the sunshine at a suitable temperature.

Dumb Cane Temperature

If one wanted to nourish Dumb Cane, he had to know some of the growth habits of kaleidoscope, so that he could better nourish it. Dumb Cane liked to grow in warm and wet environment. But it was known that kaleidoscope was cold and afraid of drought, so it couldn't be exposed to the sun for a long time. In addition, the growing temperature of the Dumb Cane was between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius. Soil rich in organic matters would make the Dumb Cane grow more vigorously.

Dumb Cane Humidity

As one of the green plants, the Dumb Cane had a very strong thirst for water. It was crucial to keep sufficient water in the matters needing attention in the room. Generally speaking, we could choose to cultivate by water or nourishment to send enough water and nutrition to the Dumb Cane. We should especially trim the roots of the Dumb Cane to maintain its strong ability to absorb water, This was the same for other green plants.

  Dumb Cane Fertilizer
The process of fattening Dumb Cane was very simple. Generally speaking, you only needed to apply liquid fat to Dumb Cane once every half a month, and if it was in the exuberant period, you needed to apply it once every 10 days.

Dumb Cane Pruning

Dumb Cane grew all the year round, so there was no limit to the time for Dumb Cane Pruning. However, it was better to prune it in spring when the growth was exuberant. We had to try to finish it before summer, which could reduce the consumption of nutrients, promote the growth, and also make the plant shape more beautiful.
Before Dumb Cane pruning, we have to prepare a tool first. We can prepare a sharp scissor and disinfect it in advance to prevent it from pollute the wound. The liquid of Dumb Cane was poisonous, so they had to prepare protective gloves, glasses and long sleeve clothes to avoid irritating the skin.
Dumb Cane grew very fast, so he should prune the tender leaves and cut off the tender buds that had grown on the leaves. In this way, he could control the growth height of the plant and promote the sprouting of the side buds.
The pruning of branches and leaves in Dumb Cane was also very important. First of all, they needed to check if there were any insects, dead yellow branches and leaves, and cut off these branches and leaves that affected their growth. Besides, they also needed to cut off branches and leaves, and cut off the branches, thin branches, disordered branches, overgrown branches, and horizontal branches, which could reduce the consumption of nutrients.
The Dumb Cane was usually maintained in a potted plant. When the flowers and leaves were changed in spring, the roots could be trimmed, removed the old roots and rotten roots, and the healthy roots could be preserved.

Dumb Cane Repotting

Spring and autumn are the best times for Dumb Cane Repotting, of course, around the Tomb Sweeping Day in spring. We can prepare a larger flower pot in advance, put a tile on the bottom, and then fill half of the soil. Take the plant out of the original pot, plant it upright by hand, and then fill the soil. After watering, the plants are placed in places with weak light to adapt gradually.
Spring and autumn are the best time for Dumb Cane Repotting, and the temperature is relatively stable, which helps to adapt as soon as possible. Of course, around the Tomb Sweeping Day is the best time, can choose a overcast morning or afternoon.
You need to prepare larger flower pots in advance, which is conducive to the later rooted growth of Dumb Cane. Put a tile on the bottom, and then fill it with soft soil with good ventilation and water permeability, and fill it to half of the pot.
Then we can slowly remove Dumb Cane from the original pot without damaging the root system and plants. Shake off the original soil on the side of the root system, righten it with hands and plant it into it, and then fill up the soil inside, and gently compact it with hands, but not too tight.
After the above steps are completed, the new basin Dumb Cane is watered, so as to achieve the purpose of root fixation. After that, the plants are placed in a cool place for slow adaptation. After a period of time of adaptation, they can be maintained normally according to the previous methods. If we find that there are yellow leaves, we will cut them in time.

Dumb Cane Pest & Disease Control

Dumb Cane leaf spot is a common disease. Bacterial leaf spot was found. This method of prevention and treatment of Dumb Cane disease can spray 50% carbendazim 500 times liquid. For other control methods, please refer to the section on prevention and control of palm Bamboo Diseases and pests.
The rotting disease of Dumb Cane mainly damages roots and stems. It is found that there is root and stem rotting disease. First, ventilation and light transmission are needed to reduce humidity. Meanwhile, 75% chlorothalonil 800 times solution was sprayed.

Dumb Cane Propagation

Dumb Cane Care & Propagation Guide

Dumb Cane Cutting Propagation

Dumb Cane Cutting Propagation is different from other flower species in cuttage because the juice of evergreen is toxic. When cutting cuttings, it is necessary to avoid sticking its juice to hands. After handling Dumb Cane Cutting, you must wash your hands with soap. If your hands are not clean, go and get the food. When food contaminated with poison liquor contacts the tongue, it will stimulate the mucus tissue and make people unable to speak. Families with children should pay special attention not to allow the poison to contact the children's skin, especially in the eyes and mouth by mistake.
The time of Dumb Cane Cutting Propagation is usually between July and August. Firstly, you can cut 7 to 10 cm from the top of the stem of the plant and remove other leaves to reduce the photosynthesis and water evaporation. Next, apply plant ash or sulfur powder to the cut of the stem, and you can plant Dumb Cane in moist soil in a semi overcast environment with high air humidity. Finally, you also need to reduce the intense sunlight, about 50% of the light.

Dumb Cane Division Propagation

We can plant and reproduce Dumb Cane when changing soil and basin every spring. Dumb Cane grows a lot of small leaves and young shoots every year. These newly grown plants are separated together with the soil when Dumb Cane is divided. The soil is easy to survive. It can be directly connected to the basin and rooted and grew within one month.
We can water the basin of Dumb Cane once and place it in a cool and ventilated place. After that, we can keep the basin soil wet and basically adapt to the new environment for about a week.
Although Dumb Cane can be propagated by seeding method, it is generally propagated by dividing plants due to the limitation of seeds. Dumb Cane is an indoor plant for observing leaves. When watering, the principle of "do not dry but do not water" shall be followed, i.e., water when it is dry, and water thoroughly when it is poured, but do not allow the basin soil to be excessively wet or stagnant. Dumb Cane should be watered once every 3 to 4 days, and each time, it should be watered slowly. After water seeps into the soil, it should be watered until there is water at the bottom of the basin, so as to ensure that Dumb Cane can be watered through.

Dumb Cane Propagation in Water

After dumb cane propagation in Water, we pay attention to placing it under the condition of bright scattered light. If the light is too strong, the surface of the leaves will become rough, and the edges and tips of the leaves will be easily scorched or even burned in a large area; If the light is too weak, the yellow and white patches will turn green. We also need to maintain an environmental humidity of 80%, and often spray water to the leaves. If we do not spray water for a long time, the leaves will be rough and lose their luster. In hot summer, the water should be maintained with clean water and the number of water changes should be increased. We can also spray Dumb Cane Propagation in Water to make the leaves bright.
Water cuttings heal and take root with strong breath, and Dumb Cane must have sufficient oxygen supply. Therefore, water should be changed frequently at the beginning of water cuttings to keep the water quality clean and meet the needs of cuttings for oxygen. Dumb Cane should wash cuttings and utensils with clean water when changing water, especially strengthen the washing at the cutting mouth, and can be transferred to normal water culture and maintenance after taking root.

Dumb Cane Benefits

1. Beautify the home.

The leaves of Dumb Cane are broad and green, and the fruits are red and round, so it is very beautiful. It has always been a kind of flower for both leaf and fruit viewing. Dumb Cane Ye Zi is elegant and beautiful. It is often placed on the rules in the study and hall, or under the long pictures and books. Autumn and winter with red fruits add color. Evergreen is suitable to decorate the living room and study. Decorative application: young plants can be placed on the desk and window sill for viewing. Medium-sized plants can be placed in the corner of the living room and the edge of the sofa as decoration, making the room full of natural vitality.

2. Clean up the environment.

Dumb Cane is known for its unique air purification capability: it can remove: nicotine, and formalin. The higher the concentration of pollutants in the air, the more it can play its purification ability. Evergreen can bring fresh air to the family and is very suitable for home display.

3.  Good medicinal materials.

Dumb Cane has the functions of clearing heat, detoxifying and strengthening heart and diuresis. It is used for the prevention and treatment of myocarditis, sore throat, biting by wild dog, bacterial dysentery, rheumatic heart disease and heart failure caused by white throat; For external use, it can treat traumatic injuries, snake bite, burns and scalds, mastitis, carbuncle, furuncle, swelling and poison.

4. Good moral.

The flower language of Dumb Cane is healthy, longevity and auspicious. A pot of evergreen can be placed in the home, enabling the family to live in a home full of health blessings.

5. Fengshui effect.

Dumb Cane is a plant of 5 elements of water. Therefore, it is a good choice for people of 5 elements of water to use it as home furnishings. He can make the host's home become a Fengshui home and help the host achieve various purposes. We can put Dumb Cane in the bedroom to help the owner build a feng shui home. Choosing the right plants is conducive to the development of the relationship between husband and wife.

Dumb Cane Care FAQs

How to deal with dumb cane yellow leaves?

Dumb Cane is a kind of excellent indoor leaf observing plant with beautiful plant shape, long and narrow green leaves and evergreen all the year round. However, in the process of maintenance, evergreen leaves often turn yellow. What is the matter? Can the yellow leaves of Dumb Cane be recovered?
First of all, we need to understand the cause of the yellow leaves of Dumb Cane. Evergreen is fond of warm, humid and semi Yin environment. The growth temperature is 25~30 ° C and the relative humidity is 70% ~ 90%. It requires loose, rich and slightly acid soil with good drainage.
Generally, this is not the case for Dumb Cane as long as it is properly maintained. However, during the maintenance process, if the light is too strong and the water is too much, the leaves will turn yellow.
Summer is a period of vigorous growth of evergreen. Dumb Cane prefers shade and should be placed in a shade without direct sunlight. If it is placed in the place with strong light for a long time for maintenance, it is easy to cause yellow leaves, curling and sagging, affecting the viewing effect.
Dumb Cane is generally maintained indoor in areas with scattered light. After leaving the room in early spring, it should be placed under the shade of shed or roof or balcony to prevent rain. In summer, when the light is too strong, it needs to be moved to a cool and ventilated place for timely shade. Avoid direct sunlight for a long time.
During the maintenance process, if Dumb Cane is watered too much, it is easy to cause its root system to rot and make its leaves turn yellow and soft. However, if the water is insufficient and the air is dry, the leaves of Dumb Cane are prone to sagging and hitting, dry tips and other undesirable phenomenon.
When we water Dumb Cane, we should pay attention to the amount of water. Evergreen is a fleshy root, so it is most fear of water accumulation, but also not resistant to drought. Therefore, water should be dry and wet. In addition, in addition to watering, Dumb Cane also enjoys a humid climate, requiring the relative temperature of the air in the growing environment to be 60 to 75%, so it is necessary to spray water on the leaves frequently to maintain the humidity. In spring and autumn, the application of fertilizer and water for decomposed cake every 3~4 weeks can prevent the yellow leaves, and can also make the Dumb Cane grow stronger and greener.
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Is dumb cane poisonous to cat?

Dumb Cane is toxic to some extent. If the family has a pet cat, it is not necessary to plant this kind of plant. The whole plant of evergreen is toxic, and the stem is the most toxic, which is actually the handle and leaf. If Dumb Cane is taken by mistake, it will make the tongue extremely painful and unable to make sound, and it may also cause burns, edema, massive drooling on the surface of the lip and tongue, affecting swallowing and breathing. Symptoms last for a few days or more than a week. Severe mouth and tongue swelling may cause suffocation and sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In case of Dumb Cane poisoning, we should seek medical advice in a timely manner.
We should pay attention when propagating Dumb Cane, especially when we have children at home. In addition, during the cutting operation, do not make the juice contact the skin, nor touch the entrance, otherwise it will make the skin itch and ache or other toxic phenomenon, and wash hands with soap after the operation.