When is the best time to prune Euphorbia trigona?
Let's talk about when it's best to prune Euphorbia trigona and share some related experience on understanding the correct pruning time for growing this plant. It's some great knowledge worth keeping, so I recommend saving it for future reference!
Euphorbia trigona, also known as Caiyun Pavilion in Chinese, is also called Triangle霸王鞭 and Qinglong Bone. Timely and appropriate pruning of the branches can control the plant's height and cultivate an attractive shape. It is a plant of the Euphorbiaceae family, native to the tropical regions of Africa, with a height ranging from 0.8 to 3 meters, and its branches grow straight upwards with dense branching. Below, let's find out when to prune Euphorbia trigona and what precautions to take when pruning.
Ⅰ. Months for Pruning
1. General situation
There is no fixed time for pruning Euphorbia trigona; it can be pruned at any time. Euphorbia trigona prefers warmth, and it's best to prune in spring, from March to May. The plants grow quickly in spring, and new buds will sprout soon after pruning.
Summer and autumn are the blooming seasons for Euphorbia trigona, so it's best not to prune during these times. Euphorbia trigona is not cold-tolerant and enters a dormant period in winter. When the temperature drops below 0°C, it should be moved to a warm indoor environment for care, and pruning is not recommended.
2. Pinching
For new plants, you can start pinching when the main stem reaches 10 to 15 centimeters in height. After branches have grown, since the main stem has three ridges, one side branch should be retained on each ridge. You can pinch off the new buds near the top center after they grow, leaving a few new buds. Keep three healthy branches on each main stem and cut off the extra branches.
When the plant grows again to 25 to 30 centimeters, a second pinching is needed to keep healthy and robust new branches, considering the direction of the branches to make the plant more full.
3. Pruning and shaping
During the vigorous growth period of Euphorbia trigona, regular pruning can be done to remove old and weak branches that bloom less frequently, which can promote the formation of more branches.
Ⅱ. Precautions
1. Pruning requirements
Since pruning Euphorbia trigona leaves scars that can affect the appearance, it's generally best not to prune if the plant has a good shape and no diseased branches. Overly dense branching may need to be pruned, and this can also be decided based on the plant's height. After pinching Euphorbia trigona, apply wood ash to the wound to prevent decay.
2. Propagation by cutting
During spring to early summer, healthy branches can be cut for propagation by cuttings. The cutting length should be over 10 centimeters, and the sap should be washed off before planting.
3. Note on toxic sap
When pruning, gloves should be worn to handle the plant. If sap is released, it should be immediately absorbed. The sap is toxic and can cause skin irritation, so make sure the sap from the cut does not come into contact with the skin, and if it does, wash it off immediately.
The above sharing on when to prune Euphorbia trigona and the specific introduction to the correct pruning time, I hope you will like it!