“A real eye-catcher!”…
“Something different from just plain green”…
"It seems to jump out at you!” 

These are but a few of the early comments from foliage buyers who have taken a sneak peak at Dracaena Rikki, the latest new product developed for interior usage from Bernecker’s Nursery.

“We like to call the Rikki the rising star of the Dracaena family,” said Robert Bernecker, “because of the dramatic reactions we are already receiving to it.”

Berneckers Dracaena Rikki features deep rich green leaves with highlighted yellow bands in the center running the length of the leaf. The plant is typically grown with several tips per pot producing an elegant, elongated bush-like look with multiple leaves held upright. Its leaves have a glossy texture and heavy substance.

The effect is dramatic, open and aesthetically pleasing with a color pattern that provides an interesting alternative choice to Bernecker’s other Dracaena varieties such as Dracaena Janet Craig, Dracaena Warneckii, and Dracaena Gold Star.

“The Rikki’s excellent endurance qualities give it superior holding capacity in interior environments with medium to medium-low light conditions,” Bernecker pointed out. “This also allows the plant to maintain its dramatic color.”

The variety was discovered as a sport (mutant) of Dracaena deremensis in the propagation fields of Costa Rica. First cuttings became available for trials during 1998 and 1999. Bernecker’s conducted initial interior trials with plants placed in commercial interiorscape settings from late 1999 through most of 2000.

Bernecker’s Dracaena Rikki is currently in the nursery’s normal production schedule with strong availability after January 2001. Buyers may select from six, eight and ten inch pot sizes. Fourteen-inch pots are scheduled to be released during the second half of 2001.