Should i prune it?

9 years ago

Hello everyone

I was thinking of pruning this plant, but I'm not sure if it is a good idea or if I should wait till spring. My thoughts were to prune the main branch to encourage the other branches to grow stronger and to achieve a nice shape in the future.

As you can see, it has a nice caudex and there are lots of new branches all around it.

Here some pictures:

What do you think? Or should I just let it grow? Usually, I don't like to cut my plants but it might could benefit from it?!

Greetings

Francesco

Featured Answer

greenclaws UK, Zone 8a

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

You have three options as I see it.

Wait till it's in its spring growth mode and prune it to a point half way between the lowest leaf on the long stem and the uppermost new branch at the base. It would be a slanting cut that would be less obvious after a few years of good growth. This will give a full rounded plant with low branches. Option 1.

The terminal growth point will always be dominant over the others if left alone so will grow even longer and the lower branches will extend giving a cluster around the base. Option 2.

You could take out the tip or a small portion of the long stem, this would halt its growth and push faster growth into the lower branches. It may also force dormant buds to break at the old leaf scar nodes giving a tall plant with lots of laterals. Option 3.

My vote is for #1, but that's just my choice so see what others suggest! Option 1 would also give you a decent length to experiment with in trying to reroot it or use it for grafting purposes.

Gill

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Comments (8)

Francesco Switzerland ZH, 8a
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you Gill! You have not only told me to prune it or not, you gave me some more ideas what I can do. Hmmm...Well I have to think about it but want to say thank you for your ideas and also your time.

How are your plants doing by the way? Would like to see your seedlings again as they must be already much bigger than in your latest post.

I bought veriegated Seeds from Mr. Ko and they are much taller than the older seedlings which I plantet a month earlier. Unfortunately, no variegation but they look great so I will keep them and will not try to sow more (just used 5 seeds from 15).

Have a nice evening. :-)

Francesco
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greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Glad you found my thoughts of some use. You're most welcome, it's good to try to help others (hopefully!) as I've had great advise given to me on here to get me where I am today with my own plants.

I'm going to take some pix of my plants on Friday when I'm not at work and have time to do another thread as things are a bit quiet at this time on our forum. They're all doing ok at the moment, everything appears well with them. As for the seedlings growth rate since last time I posted about them....I don't think they'll be breaking any records in that respect :-)

I never had any luck either in getting a variegated seedling from the batch I bought a few years ago, so now I just admire them from afar!

Gill
Francesco Switzerland ZH, 8a
Original Author
9 years ago
After my hesitation if I should prune my plant (see the picture above) I gave it a go!

And I like the result:
Hyn Patty, Western NC Mountains (USA)
9 years ago
I agree and that's exactly how I would have pruned it myself. I think you got excellent advice though with several options. There are always options and it's good to think about how you want the plant to look, or whether you might have wanted to wire the long central stem to wind around off to the side into a wind swept or semi-cascade style, etc. But to keep things simple, I think you chose well and it'll put up lots a branches this way. I have a few I am letting grow tall and thin to cant over and wire later. So, a little of this, a little of that... ;)
Lisa P
9 years ago
I really like how yours turned out. I was thinking about pruning this one and you just made that decision easier! I have no idea what color it will be but I love them all so I don't care!
Francesco Switzerland ZH, 8a thanked Lisa P
Francesco Switzerland ZH, 8a
Original Author
9 years ago
I pruned another one... ;-)

Although I pruned it to flat, it is doing better than my first one.

Original Plant:

Date: 30.7.17

Date: 13.8.17

New leaves are pushing out:

Today:

Date: 30.8.17

I'm satisfied with my choice and like the new look on my plant! :-)

Feel free to post some of your pruned plants!

Greetings
Francesco Switzerland ZH, 8a
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I just wanted to show you, how well the plant above (pruning victim) did since the last six month. Im very pleased wirh the result...

Befor:

Now:

I realy like how it is branching out and how the my tree looks like. Unfortunately you cant see al the small branches in between the biger once.

greetings

Francesco