Desert Rose Pruning Tips
As a highly ornamental desert plant, pruning the desert rose is a key step in maintaining its beautiful shape. Proper pruning not only promotes healthy growth of the plant but also creates a unique effect of bonsai art. Master the following core techniques to make your desert rose look rejuvenated after pruning.
One, Professional Pruning Four-Step Method
1.1 Tool Selection and Disinfection
Prepare sharp gardening shears or utility knives, soak them in 75% alcohol for 15 minutes or burn them with fire for disinfection. It is recommended to have two sets of tools for alternate use, and apply petroleum jelly to the metal parts for rust prevention during summer pruning.
1.2 Cut Processing Specifications
Use a 45-degree oblique cutting method to ensure smooth and hairless cuts. Leave 3-5 buds on the main branches and 2-3 nodes on the lateral branches. Immediately press the cut with wood ash to stop bleeding, and wear rubber gloves when handling the sap.
1.3 Accurate Cutting Positioning
Make the cut at a node interval of 1.2-1.5 cm, avoiding the main stem fork points. Prioritize pruning of crisscross branches and retain the outer branches of parallel branches. The pruning amount of the top dominant branches does not exceed 1/3 of the total length, maintaining the natural umbrella-like structure of the plant.
1.4 Post-Operative Care Management
After pruning, place it in a well-ventilated and diffused light environment, controlling the temperature between 20-28°C. Avoid any contact with water at the cut for the first 3 days, and starting from the 4th day, you can spray a carbendazim solution (1:1000). Gradually increase light after new buds sprout and apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizer to promote lignification.
Two, Advanced Shaping Techniques
Implement differentiated pruning based on seasonal characteristics: heavy pruning for shaping in spring and light pruning for maintenance in autumn. Techniques such as twisting branches and scoring buds can create bonsai shapes like cliff and water-side styles, with aluminum wire fixed to guide the growth direction.
Mastering these desert rose pruning and care tips not only keeps the plant vibrant but also creates a unique desert landscape. It is recommended to perform routine pruning every quarter, combined with potting operations to achieve the best growth results.