Socotra dragon tree (Dracaena cinnabari)

Product description

This dragon's blood tree is extremely rare, as the species only occurs on the island of Socotra, south of Yemen. It is found in the island's only forest in the Hajhir Mountains and scattered throughout other parts of the island. This species is a remnant of millions of years of evolution on an isolated island. It is a very slow grower, as the species takes 100 years to reach maturity in the wild. This is one of the reasons why the species is becoming increasingly vulnerable, but it is also due to the many goats kept on the island that eat the young trees bare. In addition, the tree suffers from the drying climate around Socotra.
 
The tree only has leaves in a crown shape at the ends of the young branches. The species can branch out when it flowers or when herbivores eat the leaves once. In nature, the tree can grow up to 9 metres high and the umbrella-shaped crown up to 12 metres wide. This shape creates a lot of shade around the tree. As a result, less water evaporates locally, allowing both the tree itself and the many other rare plants on the island to grow better. The tree can live to a very old age: some living specimens are around 500 years old. When mature, the tree produces small clusters of white to green flowers at the ends of its branches. After pollination, berries form that change colour from green to orange-red. The berries are eaten by birds, which then spread the seeds. A red liquid is released from the berries and when the trunk is damaged. This has given the species the name dragon's blood tree, just like the well-known species from the Canary Islands (Dracaena draco). The liquid is used by the local population to make dyes, among other things.
 
In a temperate climate, the species can be kept as a houseplant. It thrives in a warm place with plenty of direct sunlight. Water the species regularly, but not too much. The species is quite resistant to drought. A soil consisting of a mixture of potting soil and sand (1:1) or a mixture for cacti is best for the species. In winter, the species can be watered less. The species thrives at temperatures between 18 and 25 °C.

Sowing description: Lightly sand the seed and then soak it in lukewarm water for 24 hours. Then sow in seed and cutting compost, keep the soil constantly moist, cover with cling film or glass and leave to germinate in a warm place indoors. Germination can take several weeks to months and will continue as long as the seed is hard.

Photo 1: Wikimedia Commons Alex38