Succulents have become favorites in many homes and offices due to their unique shapes and low maintenance characteristics. In the process of caring for succulents, many beginners encounter a question: Do succulents need to be topped? This article will provide a detailed answer to this question and offer some practical care suggestions.
Why do succulents need to be topped?1. Promote growth: Topping succulents can stimulate their growth, encourage the sprouting of new buds, and make the plant more lush.
2. Enhance aesthetics: Proper topping can help succulents maintain a good shape and improve their ornamental value.
3. Prevent diseases and pests: Topping can remove diseased and weak branches and leaves, reducing the occurrence of diseases and pests.
Methods for topping succulents1. Choose the right time: It is generally recommended to top succulents in spring or autumn when they grow faster and recover more quickly after topping.
2. Cut surface treatment: When topping, the cut surface should be cut diagonally to increase the contact area with the soil, which is beneficial for wound healing.
3. Cut surface disinfection: Before topping, the scissors can be disinfected with 75% alcohol or chloramphenicol to avoid bacterial infection.
4. Remove excess branches and leaves: When topping, diseased, yellowed, and crossed branches and leaves should be removed, leaving healthy ones.
Care after topping succulents1. Maintain ventilation: After topping, succulents need to maintain a good ventilation environment to prevent diseases caused by high humidity.
2. Appropriate watering: After topping, succulents grow faster and need moderate watering to keep the soil moist.
3. Avoid direct sunlight: After topping, succulents are sensitive to sunlight and should be protected from long hours of direct sunlight to prevent sunburn.
Precautions when topping succulents1. Moderate topping: When topping, moderate removal of diseased and weak branches and leaves is recommended to avoid over-pruning that can lead to poor plant growth.
2. Avoid excessive pruning: Too much pruning can slow down the growth of succulents and affect their ornamental value.
3. Pay attention to pruning timing: Topping should be done during the plant's vigorous growth period, avoiding pruning during slow growth periods.
Topping succulents is a beneficial maintenance measure, but it requires moderate, timely, and proper handling. Through the introduction of this article, it is believed that you have gained a deeper understanding of topping succulents. Mastering the correct topping method will help enhance the ornamental value and growth status of succulents.References:
[1] Zhang Lili, Li Ming. Techniques for caring for succulents [J]. Plant Magazine, 2019, (3): 56-57.
[2] Wang Xiaodong, Liu Xiaomei. Techniques for pruning and caring for succulents [J]. Plant Magazine, 2018, (2): 58-59.