No worries about the leggy growth of succulents, decapitation is a brilliant trick
Abstract: This article discusses knowledge about succulents, particularly how to deal with leggy growth by decapitation. Let's delve into the details together.
Beautiful women lose their charm when they gain weight, while succulents become unattractive when they slim down. Many succulent enthusiasts have encountered the issue of leggy growth. Once it starts, it never looks right, with thin and tender stems, sparse and long leaves, and a tendency to lean and fall over. Although leggy plants can become "false old stumps" after exposure to wind and sun, this process takes a long time. If you can't wait or stand it, decapitation is the most effective method to deal with leggy growth!
Firstly, let's clarify that "decapitation" is actually "pinching the top bud" in crop production, which is known as "apical dominance" in botany. During plant growth, there is a close relationship between the top bud and the side buds. When the top bud grows vigorously, it inhibits the growth of the side buds. If the top bud stops growing for some reason, some side buds will grow rapidly. This phenomenon, where the top bud grows优先 and suppresses the development of side buds, is called "apical dominance." Thus, removing the top bud naturally allows many side buds to emerge. This is also the quickest way to solve the problem of leggy growth in succulents and transform a single plant into multiple ones.
Let's now look at the diagram illustrating the process drawn by the editor:
Decapitation in three steps: The first step is to cut at the chosen position. The second step is to remove 2 to 4 leaves from the base of the cut head, which makes it easier for the head to root in the soil, leaving the base in the original pot after cutting. After pruning, place it in a ventilated position to dry the roots. The third step is to insert the healed head into new soil, which will restore its compact and beautiful appearance. The leaves that are snapped off can be used for leaf propagation, with each leaf孕育ing a new life. After decapitation, the old roots, having lost their apical dominance, will produce many side branches, forming a multi-headed plant.
Since the editor's succulents are all growing beautifully without leggy growth, there are no actual step-by-step pictures. For those who didn't understand the diagram, you can take another look at the physical pictures:
The key to transforming one plant into several after decapitation is:
1. Removing the lower leaves of the branch cutting can effectively reduce the chance of wound rot.
2. The cut succulent should not touch anything while waiting for the wound to heal.
3. After decapitation, place the plant in a glass container to root; a large container may cause the lower part of the multi-headed stem to curl. No watering is needed, as the humidity in the container is sufficient.
Look, not only does decapitation give an ugly, leggy succulent a makeover, but it also allows you to get more succulents, a win-win situation!
The above is a detailed introduction to the clever trick of decapitating succulents to deal with leggy growth (with illustrations), hoping to bring some floral knowledge to flower enthusiasts.