skip to main content

Cacti & Succulents

Euphorbia Problem

treeguy_ny USDA z6a WNY

17 years ago

I have a large Euphorbia that is about 7-7.5 feet tall (see picture of me and the plant). Alas, it is top heavy and will no longer fit in my house to be overwintered. If the garage didn't freeze, I'd keep it there, but it does. . . I was thinking about cutting the top off roughly 1.5 feet above the soil line. Will this kill it or will it re-sprout branches from below the cut surface? I asked the local nursery(s) and they didn't know one way or the other. The species is either Euphorbia abyssinica or Euphorbia ingens. Also, could anyone tell me which species it is? Thanks for any and all advice!

{{gwi:675614}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

best_botanist
17 years ago
Ya, you can do that, you could then let the top portion dry out for a couple of weeks then replant it. it will form new roots and grow from there. whach out for the white sap. its very irritating, ecpicially in the eye. nice plant by the way.
lzrddr
17 years ago
This is what I was always under the impression was E ammak, or E abyssininca (not that I can really tell the difference)... but certainly not E ingens. Any others agree or disagree??
Related Discussions
Euphorbia Milii Problem
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks you guys! You're making me feel better about it. I suspected it was just shocked from not only repotting but bringing inside. It gets pretty cold here in North Florida believe it or not. We had a couple week stretch where it was in the teens last winter. January and February are usually the coldest. It only just started dipping in to the low 40s within the last week but it's been getting in to the mid 70s during the day. The root ball was decently sized! It's what I would expect for a plant just over a foot tall and yes it was almost all dirt in the pot! There was only one little drain hole and it didn't drain very well. I think I may have watered it once since I got it back in August, for fear of killing it. Considering the conditions it was in, I could not wait to repot it. However, it's in great health so far as I could tell!
...See More
Euphorbia Dieback
Q
Comments (1)
Hi palustris81! I've been watching this post for some time waiting to see if anyone has any ideas on the euphorbia problem. I have also had euphorbia die back for no apparent reason and am totally baffled. I work in the gardening industry and have posed the question to our grower, our customers, etc....but no go. Many of us have this dieback, but no idea why. At first I thought maybe it was the hot dry summers we have...maybe they just don't like the combination of high temperatures, humidity and sporadic hand watering...which is nothing like rain! Mine always seem to do better in the spring and fall, look nice in the winter, and fail in the summer. Hope you get a few other responses. I love euphorbias and would like to find a niche for them!
...See More
The problem with my Euphorbia pulcherrima
Q
Comments (3)
Hi, it sounds as if your plant may be under potted. If it were me I would try a free-draining, moisture retentive mix in a bigger pot. The soil may also be worn out, so replacing some of it may help. Gently loosen the soil on the root ball and spread the roots around in the new mix a little(again, gently). In case you're really unfamilliar with the technique you will want to lightly moisten the new soil for a bit before using it, aim for an even moisture content about the same as a wrung out wash cloth.
...See More
Euphorbia Problems!
Q
Comments (2)
It doesn't need a lot of water, but that one needs more water than you've given it. It looks dehydrated. I water mine, which is in full sunlight, about once every eight or nine days. It needs to be watered.
...See More
Denise
17 years ago
I wouldn't cut it quite that short myself. Maybe at the 3' mark or so. The top part will re-root, but I'd put it in a cool dry place (like a basement) over the winter. Don't try to root it until spring. I've taken cuttings on Euphorbias in the fall and if you try to root them, they tend to rot. But they go dormant and will overwinter without much problem at all, then will root in spring.

And as BB said, be very careful around the sap. Although it's never irritated my skin, I once didn't wash my hands quite good enough and rubbed my eye. I had pain and intense watering in my eye for a good 2 hours, and less than a year later, I had a detached retina in that eye. Of course, there's no way of knowing if that's what caused it, but the doc was perplexed that it happened without a recent head injury... BE CAREFUL!

Denise in Omaha
treeguy_ny USDA z6a WNY
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks all for the replies!

I'm not interested in rooting the top, will probably donate it to the botanical gardens or something.

Once I cut the top off, should the bottom branch out from below the cut? I'm concerned more about this than the top of the plant. Any tips to make sure the bottom stays healthy and survives after getting the guillotine?
johnh_or
17 years ago
You can donate it to me! I'd be more than happy to send you postage in advance. But it would probably be easier for you just to donate it to the Botanical Gardens.

lzrddr....I have E. Ingens. I tend to agrre with your ID. My plant is more compact.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Euphorbia Antisyphilitica

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

The waxy, leafless stems of this Southwest native succulent are described as “little candles,” and it thrives on neglect

GARDENING GUIDES Great Garden Combo: 3 Wonderful Plants for a Deer-Resistant Screen

Protect your privacy and keep deer at bay with a planting trio that turns a problem garden area into a highlight

GOLD FOLIAGE Great Design Plant: Milk Bush

By Annie Thornton

With a rubbery texture and cartoon-like branches, this succulent brings an unusual, exotic energy to landscapes and container gardens

BLUE AND GRAY FOLIAGE Great Design Plant: Parry's Agave

By Annie Thornton

Don't let the spikes scare you away — this succulent is surprisingly friendly to gardeners whose landscapes lie beyond the desert

CONTAINER GARDENS 7 Deer-Resistant Flowers for Your Summer Containers

Grow these as protection for edibles or just for their colorful beauty — deer might not like them, but everyone else will

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Louie Eastern White Pine

This stunning golden conifer will bring a smile to your face and add a ray of sunshine to your winter garden

CONTAINER GARDENS 3 Steps to Creating Quick, Easy and Colorful Succulent Containers

Take a bright container, add a colorful succulent or two and have a professional, summery design in minutes

GARDENING GUIDES 9 Self-Seeders Capture Chelsea Flower Show Magic

Give your garden show-worthy style with these plants beloved by top designers

BLUE AND GRAY FOLIAGE Great Design Plant: Donkey Spurge

Yes, there's the awful name, plus the sap issue. But this plant's foliage and flowers bring something special to Eastern U.S. gardens

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Pride of Madeira

By Annie Thornton

Try this drought-tolerant stunner for its massive flower spikes that burst with purple, drawing butterflies and birds to the garden

Sponsored

More Discussions

I need your help to improve this jade plant. (My first jade!)

31

Are cacti legal to sell online?

3

Euphorbia disease advice?

3

Hens and chicks - help needed

10

Jade in Need of Help

6