Succulent plants have become one of the most beloved potted plants for more and more people due to their unique shapes and easy maintenance. However, even easy-to-care-for succulents require regular pruning to maintain a healthy growth state. So how can you correctly prune succulent plants? This article will provide a detailed introduction for everyone.
I: Why do succulent plants need pruning?
Pruning can promote branching and improve the stability of branches in succulent plants; it promotes growth, helps strengthen the plant's self-protection ability, and improves its environmental adaptability; it prevents the plant from overgrowing, which can lead to issues like excessive foliage and soil water deficiency.
II: When to prune?
Pruning is usually done after the growing season of the succulent plant ends, entering winter or early spring. In winter, you can trim branches and leaves precisely, and in early spring, you can trim off unwanted buds and new shoots.
III: Preparation of tools
Pruning succulent plants requires professional pruning tools such as scissors and tweezers, and the tools should be kept clean and sharp.
IV: Basic steps for pruning
Carefully inspect the parts of the succulent plant that need pruning, and select the branches or leaves to be pruned. Next, use pruning tools to gently cut them off. During the pruning process, be gentle to avoid harming the plant.
V: Pruning leaves
When succulent plants grow leaves or flowers, they can become too crowded. In this case, you can use tweezers to cut off the leaves or flowers to maintain the plant's shape and improve its quality.
VI: Pruning roots
When the roots of a succulent plant become too long, root pruning can be done. First, remove the succulent from the potting soil, shape the roots into a ball, remove loose soil and root hairs, then shorten the roots and replant.
VII: Pruning the top
The terminal buds of a succulent plant grow rapidly during the growing season, and at this time, a portion needs to be pruned to prevent overgrowth. After pruning, new buds will grow around the old ones to maintain the plant's shape.
VIII: Pruning branches
When succulent plants branch, issues such as competition, crowding, and weakening among branches can occur. At this time, some branches should be cut at optimal branching points to promote healthy growth.
IX: How to prevent wound infection
When pruning succulent plants, wound infections can sometimes occur. At this time, pruning tools should be disinfected with boiled water or alcohol, and residual substances on the wound should be promptly removed after pruning.
X: How to handle the pruned parts
After pruning succulent plants, attention should be paid to cleaning the pruned areas. Apply disinfectant or white glue to the wound to promote healing and prevent water vapor from entering the plant's interior.
XI: Precautions
When pruning succulent plants, be gentle to avoid harming the plant. Inspect and plan the succulent plant before pruning. After pruning, do not overwater or over-fertilize to avoid causing diseases and excessive growth.
XII: Consequences of improper pruning
If succulent plants are pruned incorrectly, it will lead to problems such as wilting, stunted growth, and shortened flowering periods. Be very careful when pruning succulent plants.
XIII: Pruning methods for different types of succulent plants
Different types of succulent plants require different pruning methods. For example, attention should be paid to the spines of giant cacti and the branching of stone lotus, etc.
XIV: Post-pruning care
After pruning succulent plants, appropriate care should be provided according to the specific situation. This includes reducing watering frequency, applying fertilizer in moderation, and daily cleaning.
XV:
Pruning succulent plants is an important part of maintaining their healthy growth and beauty. With the pruning methods and precautions introduced in this article, everyone can easily complete the pruning work and make their succulents healthier and more beautiful.