Knowing how to trim tall succulents is essential for any plant enthusiast, as keeping your succulent plant healthy and beautiful requires regular pruning. Tall succulent plants can grow out of control quickly and become leggy, losing their lush appearance.
So, if you’re ready to take your succulent care to the next level, join us to discover the art of trimming tall succulent plants.
Contents
How To Trim Tall Succulents Easily?
To trim tall succulents easily, following the basic steps is essential to prevent damage to the plant. You’ll need to identify the points where you need to trim, make clean cuts at the right angles, and remove some lower parts of the plants.
The procedure is quite convenient as the majority of succulents are graceful low-growing plants that neatly tuck into cracks in rockeries, flower beds, pots, and between paving stones. It can be used on leggy succulents that lose the compact character that makes them so coveted. So, get those scissors and start to prune succulents!
1. Identify the Ideal Cutting Point
The first step in trimming tall indoor succulent plants is identifying the ideal cutting point. The best place to cut the stem is just above a rosette or leaf node. This is where new growth will sprout, helping to encourage new growth.
Make sure to identify the long stem where it appears bare. This will encourage your succulent plant to branch out and produce more leaves throughout its body.
2. Make the Cut
Once you’ve identified the ideal cutting point, it’s time to cut. Sharp scissors should be used to cut through leaves or stem at any angle between 45 and 90 degrees. Cut just above a joint to avoid harming your succulent and encourage it to grow stronger. Make certain that you only cut the leaves and stems.
If possible, avoid trimming off any succulent roots when attempting to shape them, as this will cause your plant to die or become weak. Use a sanitized and sharp pair of scissors or pruning tools to cut the stem just above the rosette or leaf node. Be sure to cut cleanly and avoid crushing the stem, which can lead to disease and decay.
Pruning the top of any plant allows the other buds to grow – sometimes with impressive vigor. This causes the plant to become bushier as each lower bud grows to form a new smaller shoot. You can direct the growth by cutting just above a bud facing the right direction.
3. Remove Lower Leaves
Once you’ve cut, it’s a good idea to remove any lower leaves that are yellow or damaged. After trimming, wipe off all of your succulent leaves with a damp cloth or paper towel. You can also gently use a small brush to scrub dirt from more stubborn areas.
This will clean the leaves of dirt and dust, allowing them to heal and grow and prevent any disease or decay from spreading to the rest of the plant.
4. Allow the Cuttings to Callus Over
After cutting, it’s essential to allow the succulent cuttings to callus over before planting or watering them. This will help to prevent any disease or rot from transferring to the rest of the plant. To callus over, place the cuttings on a clean cloth or paper towel for 2-3 days.
5. Water the Cuttings
It’s time to water the cuttings when they’ve had a chance to callus over. Use a well-draining soil mix and water the cuttings sparingly, letting the soil dry out completely in between applications. Water only when the soil is dry since over-watering can cause root rot and plant death.
6. Place the Cuttings in a Bright, Sunny Location
Finally, place your succulent in a well-lit area that receives enough light but not direct sunlight. Succulents prefer bright indirect or filtered light, so try to expose your plants to it for at least six hours per day. This will help to encourage new growth, prevent stretched succulents, and promote healthy plant development.
Place it about an inch away from the window so that its leaves do not touch any windows and block light from reaching its leaves. Avoid placing your indoor succulents near a heater or fan, as this can cause temperature fluctuations and damage to your plant.
7. Wait for New Growth To Sprout
After placing the cuttings in a bright, sunny location, it’s time to wait for new growth to sprout. Depending on the succulent species and growing conditions, this can take several weeks to months. Be patient and keep the cuttings well-watered and in bright sunlight to encourage new growth and avoid overgrown succulents.
Keep in mind to trim taller succulent plants once a week or whenever their stems appear to require pruning. You can also take advantage of this opportunity to shape them into any design you want! Make sure not to remove too much at once, or you risk damaging your succulents. Only remove about an inch from each side of your plant until it returns to its original size.
Remember to make smooth cuts with clean edges rather than ragged ones. By following the steps mentioned above, you can successfully trim succulents and make sure your succulents grow anew.
How To Ensure Safe Trimming for Your Succulent Plants?
How to ensure safe trimming for your succulent plants, caution is necessary to prevent damage. Make sure to protect yourself by wearing gear and protect the plant by using sanitized tools. Handle the plant with care and do not damage it with excessive or harsh cuts.
– Sanitize Your Tools
Before trimming, it’s essential to clean and sanitize your tools. This will prevent the transfer of any harmful bacteria or diseases from one plant to another.
– Work in Good Lighting
Good lighting will help you see what you’re doing and avoid accidentally cutting the wrong parts of the plant. Work in natural light or near a window.
– Protect Yourself
Succulents have sharp edges and spikes, so wearing gloves is a good idea to protect your hands. You should also wear eye protection to guard against any flying debris.
– Cut at the Right Time
Succulents are best trimmed when actively growing, typically in the spring or summer. Avoid trimming in the fall or winter when the plants are dormant.
– Avoid Over-Trimming
While keeping succulents well-trimmed is essential, you want to do just what is necessary. Over-trimming can stress the plant and limit its growth.
– Carefully Remove Dead or Damaged Leaves
You should remove dead or damaged leaves carefully to prevent damage to the healthy parts of the plant. Use a clean pair of scissors or garden snippers to cut away the dead leaves close to the base of the plant.
– Trim the Right Plant Parts
Pick up the plump, healthy-looking leaves when pruning a succulent for propagation. In the case of stems, the best candidates are those with a woody appearance and feel. The leaves are twisted off or cut cleanly with a sterile sharp knife.
– Watch Out for Pests
After trimming your tall succulents, inspect them for pests like mealybugs or spider mites. If you find pests, treat the plant with a pesticide appropriate for succulents.
Conclusion
In conclusion, trimming tall succulents is crucial to maintaining health and beauty. You can keep your succulents thriving and looking their best by following a few simple steps and considerations. Here are the important points to keep in mind:
- Use sharp, clean scissors or pruning tools to make clean cuts and avoid crushing the stems. Identify the ideal cutting point just above a rosette or leaf node to encourage new growth and promote bushier growth.
- Allow cuttings to callus over for 2-3 days before planting or watering to prevent rot and disease. Water the cuttings sparingly, using a well-draining potting mix and allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
- Place the cuttings in a bright, sunny location to encourage new growth and promote healthy plant development.
- It’s essential to wait for new growth to sprout and repeat the trimming process as needed to maintain the appearance and health of the plant.
- Proper trimming will help to prevent legginess, promote bushier growth, and encourage healthy plant development.
By following this ultimate guide, you’ll be able to trim and grow succulents and keep them looking their best successfully.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982217302907
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/42792314
- http://www.ijfs.org/journal/article.php?code=63960
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