and here is picture #2

and the last picture #3
as you can see the plant grows to the right and the left but not front or back and I am afraid it is going to split in half..what can I do and when is the best time of year to do it.....help....linda

Hi all....I forgot info on the plant....
the plant is in well draining soil and sits in a south window
I turn it everytime I water it.....so I don't know why it grows so funny...any ideas.....linda

Hello Linda...

Love that brick wall by the way! I have one too.

I would do a hard cut back and make some rooted cuttings while you encourage the original plant to grow short , a fat trunk, and full.

I think Josh would be the one to give you an idea on where to cut and how much. I also think he would suggest a good time, since I, I would do it right now.lol

It has become so big and now it's time for a haircut! That is what I ddi with the mother plant as it started to grow from a cutting. I can't even remember how many times I've cut mine back, but that is how it took to looking full, short, and fat!

I would suggest that as your branches reach out like that before hand next time, to snip off the new growth at the ends consistantly so that those kind of long stems don't develop, and so that it grows tighter and closer to the main trunk. It will encourage a fat trunk too.

If you do this, you will never have to make major cuts again as it matures. It will always be semtrical and the shape that you would like.

Mike:-)

So beautiful! I must find one!
:)

It sure is sprawling nicely!

I assume it only gets turned one way (front and back), given the elongated shape?

Mike is right (hey, Mike), a judicious pruning will "chase" the plant back toward the trunk and encourage new branching. For the fastest recovery and growth stimulation, wait to prune until late Spring....but if you can't wait, you can't wait ;-)

Josh