When is the best season to prune and pinch the top of Euphorbia cacti?
If you want to know the best season for pruning and pinching the top of Euphorbia cacti and detailed knowledge about the pruning time and methods, the following is a detailed explanation by the editor.
Euphorbia cacti, commonly known as Cereus, although they belong to the same family of cacti, there are still differences. Euphorbia has flowers, while Cereus has only leaves. As a fast-growing potted green plant, Euphorbia cacti are somewhat toxic, but as long as it is not ingested, it will not release toxins to harm people. Because it stays green throughout the year and is excellent for viewing, and it is believed to ward off evil spirits and dispel bad luck in feng shui, it is popular among some flower enthusiasts in the flower market.
Regarding the best season for pruning and pinching the top of Euphorbia cacti, there are no fixed standards. It can only be said that except for winter dormancy when growth stops, in other growing seasons, when it reaches a height of 30 centimeters, you can prune and pinch the top. Some flower friends may think that pinching can be done when it reaches 10 centimeters, but this method is only suitable for quickly rooting in spring and mainly for cultivating dwarf Euphorbia cacti.
Considering the rapid growth of Euphorbia cacti and how easy they are to care for, there are still many considerations when it comes to pruning and pinching. Here we can introduce the most suitable time for pinching Euphorbia cacti from three aspects: how to pinch in different breeding environments, the impact of pinching in different seasons, and how to manage Euphorbia cacti after pinching.
1. How to prune and pinch in different breeding environments:
1. Indoor breeding: Generally, indoor pruning is earlier than outdoor breeding. Since indoor environments are more shaded and have faster growth than outdoors, you can prune the top when it grows to 15-20 centimeters. Then wait for the subsequent three-ribbed branches to grow out. After the three branches grow out, pinch the top again from these three branches to cultivate a nine-column Euphorbia cacti.
2. Outdoor breeding: Euphorbia cacti are generally pinched when they reach 20-30 centimeters in outdoor breeding. Because they are often exposed to high temperatures and sunlight, their growth is not as obvious as in indoor environments, and nutrients should be supplemented in a timely manner. When pinching, also pay attention to the surrounding temperature, generally at around 20-25°C, and it is recommended to do the pinching work between 8-10 am and 3-5 pm.
2. The impact of pruning and pinching in different seasons:
1. Pinching in spring: As a season of growth for all things, spring is the most suitable season for pinching Euphorbia cacti compared to summer and autumn. This is because the growth rate of lateral buds is the fastest at this time. After pinching, we hope for the rapid growth of lateral buds, which is beneficial for shaping and fixing nutrients, so we need to supplement nitrogen and potassium fertilizers in a timely manner after the lateral buds grow out.
2. Pinching during the rainy season: When pruning and pinching Euphorbia cacti, try to avoid these two times because pinching at this time will cause the cacti to secrete latex, and the wound can easily become infected and rot when it comes into contact with rainwater.
3. Pinching in winter: If the temperature is above 20°C in winter, pinching is not a problem, but it is not recommended if there is low-temperature frost damage because the Euphorbia cacti will enter a dormant period and stop growing.
When is the best season to prune and pinch the top of Euphorbia cacti?
3. How to manage Euphorbia cacti after pruning and pinching:
1. For Euphorbia cacti in the growing season, it is necessary to supplement fertilizer in a timely manner after pruning and pinching. At this time, you can supplement the Euphorbia cacti with brewed soybean water or compound fertilizer to supplement nitrogen and potassium fertilizers. Note that you cannot apply too much at once and should apply thin fertilizers frequently, about 2-3 times a month.
2. Reduce the frequency of watering or do not water at all during the winter dormancy period. Euphorbia cacti are relatively drought-resistant because they have stopped growing and have low requirements for water and nutrients, so you can water once a month or not water at all, adopting a rough management approach.
3. After pruning and pinching the Euphorbia cacti column, you can use wood ash to seal the top. Also, to avoid waste, you can use the cut top for propagation to cultivate more Euphorbia cacti.
In summary, the best pruning season for Euphorbia cacti is in spring when the temperature is 20-25°C on a sunny day. Of course, except for winter, other times can also be pruned and pinched. However, there are many precautions when pinching. Before pinching, disinfect the pruning tools, preferably wear leather gloves to avoid adverse reactions on the skin. Also, try to avoid rainy days; after pruning and pinching, supplement fertilizers and nutrients in a timely manner to promote the growth of lateral buds; do not prune too much at once. For taller Euphorbia columns, support them in a timely manner to avoid collapse.
The above content about when to prune and pinch the top of Euphorbia cacti and detailed pruning time and methods introduced by Green Enthusiast Network [www.lvzhimi.com] is hoped to be helpful to green enthusiasts!