Summary

John Rose recounts his experiences with growing various plants, including Dracaena Draco and Dracaena Fragrans, under LED lights and later transplanting them, while also experimenting with grafting fruit trees.

Abstract

John Rose, an accidental gardener, has been successfully growing plants under LED lights for nearly seven years. His journey began with Dracaena Draco seeds, which he mistakenly believed to be the simpler "Happy Plants" (Dracaena Fragrans). As the plants thrived, he realized he had cultivated three Dracaena Draco trees, which are known for their impressive size and longevity. Alongside these, he has also been nurturing multiple generations of Dracaena Fragrans from cuttings. Additionally, he has embarked on a new venture with seeds from a trifoliate orange given by his granddaughter, aiming to teach his grandchildren the art of grafting fruit trees. These bitter orange trees have adapted to the extremes of weather on his verandah, and while they are not yet ready for grafting, the prospect of future lessons excites him.

Opinions

John expresses surprise and delight at the consistent success of his sprouting endeavors under LED lighting.
He acknowledges his initial ignorance in assuming the Dracaena Draco seeds would yield "Happy Plants" and reflects on the joy of learning from his mistakes.
John values the wisdom and caution of his experienced son, who often poses thoughtful questions about his gardening adventures.
He is content to watch his Dracaena Draco trees grow, confident they will find a suitable new home in the future.
The Dracaena Fragrans are symbolic to John, representing renewal and continuance, and he takes pleasure in their presence during meals.
John is enthusiastic about the prospect of grafting the trifoliate orange trees, viewing it as an opportunity to pass on knowledge to the next generation.

Planting Out.

Planting out seedlings from my LED Garden.

Dracaena Draco sprouted and soon too big for LED garden. Planted in dining room. Picture by John Rose.

After nearly seven years LED, Still surprised, Everything sprouts, Grows rapidly and out the-door into son’s garden and perhaps his neighbors.

Accidental gardener flushed with success, Time for adventure, Boldness be my guide.

Thought to myself, What else could be grown under LED lights? Little did I know….

Naturally, foolish gardeners rush in where sensible experienced son would caution with wise question, “Did you know….?”.

Curiosity and “she’ll be right” won, Planted what I thought were simple “Happy Plants”, Dracaena Fragrans, I was half right.

Dracaena Draco

Given 3 Dracaena seeds, Assumed in my unquestioning ignorance, Happy plants! Silly me.

Single seed per pot, Watered and fertilised, Quickly sprouted, Rapidly growth, Transferred to large terracotta pot beside existing happy plants grown from cuttings.

Within month or two, Obvious to me newcomers weren’t happy plants! Bark was different, Stem much thicker, Looked like trees.

Consulted them that know and online resources, Decided I had Three vigorous and thriving Dracaena draco trees.

My dragon trees, Evergreen long lived, Grow to 50 foot high with trunk circumference 16 feet, Slow growing thank goodness, When young tree has single stem, About 10–15 years old stem stops growing and produces single flower spike with white perfumed flowers then coral berries.

Trees are now four+ years old, Enjoying their company with every meal, Content for them to grow, Find new home when time comes, I’m sure apartment would be lovely with flowering fragrance.

Dracaena Draco long time to grow tall. Very large roots and thick trunk. Picture by John Rose.

Dracaena Fragrans (Happy Plants)

My Happy Plants, Many years back before LED gardens, Took small cutting from dracaena in daughter’s garden.

First cutting vigorous growth, Loved little dracaena, My happy plant, Once tall in dining room |took cutting and started again.

Third or perhapa fourth cycle, Shrubs now over 4 feet, Touching ceiling Nearly time for new cutting and re-potting.

Happy plants symbol for me of Gaia’s renewal and continuance.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’ (Happy Plant). Multiple cuttings Picture by John Rose.

Trifoliate orange (Bitter Orange)

My granddaughter gave me some seeds to grow, Taken from orange in her school lunch-box.

Sown in pot under LED lights, Two seeds sprouted surprised me.

Son thought to grown them and teach kids art of grafting fruit trees.

These two trees probably trifoliate orange (Bitter Orange), Now surviving and flourishing on west facing verandah in extremes of summer heat winter cold wind and rain.

Been few years, But probably need more time before grafting lessons, I’ll be there!

Trifoliate orange (Bitter Orange) used as root stock. Picture by John Rose.

Blessed be.