Dracaena draco (Dragon Blood Tree) is an evergreen monocot tree that is native to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde and western Morocco. The Dragon Blood tree is grown around the world for its ornamental value and low-maintenance. The tree is also a source of Dragon’s Blood which is used in folklore medicines, witchcraft and hoodoo rituals. Though the trees thrive in warm sub tropical climates, there are wholesalers all over Australia including Perth, Darwin, Melbourne and Tasmania.
This suggests that the Dragon Blood tree is suitable for Temperate, Sub Tropical and Tropical climates.
The Dragon Blood tree is a symbol of great significance to the people of its native regions. In particular, the specimen named El Drago Milenario has been featured on notes and is part of Tenerife’s coat of arms. Debates about its age have a history that including a 1907 estimate by professors and students of the Polytechnic School of Zurich whom put it at around 2,500 years old. A more recent estimate in 1975 suggested that 350 years was probably more accurate.
This is also one of a small list of species that is used to collect Dragon’s Blood. Among many uses Dragon’s Blood is sold as an incense under the name Red Rock Opium even though it doesn’t contain any opiates.
Growth
Dracaena draco is a slow-growing ornamental tree that reaches heights up to 20 metres but that may take over 300 years. A height of around 4-7 metres (13-22 feet) can take between 30-50 years while a ten year old plant may only stand roughly 1.5 metres (5 feet) high. The ideal growing temperatures range from 18-22°C / 64-71°F but unlike most Dracaena this species can tolerate moderate frosts for short periods.
When the trees reach the age of around 15 years they begin producing a flower spike with white scented flowers that are followed by bluish berries. After this stage the crown starts to grow buds which then turn into the umbrella-like branches as seen in pictures of fully mature trees.
FAMILY:
Fabaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Sub Tropical & Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
1°C to 40°C / 33 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining. Sandy.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 12 metres (39 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 2-3 metres (6-10 feet)
pH:
5.5-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low
POLLINATION:
Self Pollinated
MATURITY:
12-15 years
GERMINATION RATES:
65-80%
GERMINATION TIME:
6-12 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 2
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No. There is some folklore applications.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT DRACAENA DRACO (Dragon Blood Tree)
One specimen in Tenerife, Spain, estimated at around 6000 years old, was destroyed in a storm in 1868.
Red resin, also called Dragon’s Blood is extracted from the tree and was frequently used for medicinal purposes.
The resin was also used as a wood dye to stain the famous Stradivarius violins. One Stradivarius violin recently sold for over $US 3.5 million.
Germination Instructions
HOW TO GROW DRACAENA DRACO (Dragon Blood Tree)
Note: There are many different methods being shared on the internet about how to germinate Dragon Blood tree seeds. We’ve tried five or six ways and combined a few methods in an attempt to shorten the average germination period of between 8-12 weeks. We are suggesting this method below will take between 6-12 weeks.
If you simply put these into some soil and and keep them moist they could take two warm seasons to sprout depending on conditions.
Step 1
The first step is to put the kettle on and boil some water. Once boiled, leave the kettle sit and start the timer at 10 minutes.
Now with each seed to be sown, scratch the surface of the seed by using sandpaper or rubbing directly onto a concrete surface. After the boiled water has sat for ten minutes, pour the water over the seeds in a container or bowl. Let the seeds soak for 48 hours, changing the water after 24 hours. It won’t hurt to repeat the boiled water process but leave the water sit for 30 minutes instead. After 48 hours drain the water and move to step 2.
Step 2
Prepare small pots with a soil mix that is half sand. Moist sand helps to wear down the outer layer of the seed. Pots of at least 10cm ( 4 inches ) wide are ideal. If starting during daytime temperatures below 15°C / 59°F a heat mat or somewhere that is consistently warm is recommended (top of the fridge).
Sow each seed roughly 20 mm deep into pre-moistened soil. To increase humidity during germination, cover the pots with a clear plastic, such as glad wrap.
Step 2
Keep the soil moist but not wet by checking it every few days and add water as necessary by using a light mist. The plastic cover should be carefully replaced each time. If a soil tester is available, check the soil temperature as a consistent temperature around 20°C / 68°F will improve the strike rate and decrease the duration.
Seeds can germinate after 6 weeks but can take up to 12.
Once seedlings germinate, remove the plastic cover and move to them to a location where they will receive around 2 hours of morning sunshine each day. Don’t leave them outside if the temperature day or night will fall below 10°C / 50°F.
Step 3
Gradually increase the sunshine they receive by increasing their sunlight in weekly stages. Morning sun is the best starting point. Keep Dragon Blood trees in pots by up sizing as roots begin to show through the bottom. In cold climates, plants should be grown in pots until after their third winter if frost occurs.
Step 4
Transplant during spring well past the last frost and ensure they are in a location where they will receive maximum sunlight. Mulching can help to keep the roots warmer when winter returns and protect them from drying out over summer. Water only when soil has dried out.
Dragon Blood trees take around 10 years to complete a kind of establishment phase. After 10 years, they start to produce their monocot trunk that is prominent in fully mature trees. From then, it takes about 2 or 3 warm seasons to start seeing fruits/seeds. So maturity can take between 12-15 years.
