Need help on training this plant

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I don't know what to do to this plant. I don't know the techniques but I want better branch organization. What should I do to this plant? What would you do? Sorry if the branches are hard to see the leaves make it hard to take a good picture.

Featured Answer

rcharles_gw (Canada)

9 years ago

LJ,

Although it is difficult to view each of the branches on this plant. It does look to be a very well branched plant and fairly short and stout.

Pruning the branch ends will only make it fuller than it is, if each branch where to produce multiple growths.

It may be better suited to prune whole branches out to open it up.

If you where at a time in the growing season where you would get more growing time. You could remove leaves from the longer branches to allow more light inside and have the shorter ones grow more.

It is a very nice plant.

Rick

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Comments (7)

greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
9 years ago
Agree with Ricks comments, it's a healthy looking tree you have there. Was it bought as a plant or have you grown it from seed? Maybe add your location after your name, it's helpful when asking advise...go to your houzz top rt, click, select edit profile, click, scroll to add second name and write info there.

Another tip...it's planted quite low down inside the container, maybe when you do a repot plant it higher up, even on a mound of soil mix. It would benefit the plant even more for several reasons...light can reach the caudex more, it will allow more air circulation a round it, it will not only show the caudex off better but will also make it look less crowded down below. You can then see the branch arrangement better and make clearer decisions on what you would like to do with it. Just my thoughts that sprang to mind on looking at your pics :-)

Gill
James (HI) thanked greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
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James (HI)
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you for the advice Rick and Gill. I will take my plant out today and can you guys tell me how much caudex I should expose. I will prune some leaves so the smaller branches can get sun as well. Also Gill can you show an example of the soil mound. Thank you again
rcharles_gw (Canada)
9 years ago
LJ,

I am posting this photo of Tracy's plants, as I think this is what Gill was speaking of when mentioning raising up on a mound.

Expose an 1"-2" of caudex &/or root, so it looks balanced and good to your eye.

These are a few of mine raised slightly.

I hope this helps.

Rick
James (HI) thanked rcharles_gw (Canada)
James (HI)
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Your plants are amazing. I want the branches of mine to be like that. How did you get the branches like that?
rcharles_gw (Canada)
9 years ago
The branches in photo of Tracy's (4 plants) and mine. This is the natural form of branching, no pruning.

Rick
James (HI) thanked rcharles_gw (Canada)
greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
9 years ago
Thanks Rick for adding those pics, good examples to show.

LJ, Yes, just fill the pot a lot more with your soil choice and set the plant a little higher than before. No need to make a steep slope, just a slight dome effect. See how the caudex of each of Ricks plant is very visible, yours is a very leafy tree, so it may not look the same, but it will look better. Maybe remove a few of the lowest leaves to clear the base more? If you do, don't take the whole leaf off, leave a small stub (the petiole) if will dry and fall off easily later on. If you try and take the whole leaf off you risk the chance of tearing the skin right off the branch.

Gill