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Cacti & Succulents

Where to remove flower stem from Crassula flacata?

4 years ago

The flower stem of Crassula flacata appears to also be the main stem of the plant. I have not been able to keep the plant under the grow lights for awhile, because the flower stem got too tall. I believe the etiolation process has already begun. The flower is done blooming, just the rememants left, so I want to prune it off as soon as possible. But, i do not know at what point to make the cut. I would think as close to the main plant as possible. I am thinking at the first set of large leaves, three leaf sets below the flower. The second picture show you where I'm planning to make the cut.

Featured Answer

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23

4 years ago

I've cut the flower stems off when they were completely dried out, finished but not dried out, fresh and flowering (accidentally) and before the flowers opened (also accidentally) and it didn't seem to damage any of them.

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Comments (8)

gardengems
Original Author
4 years ago
That's fine, but my question is where to make the cut?
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cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
4 years ago
As close to the base as possible. Whatever you don't cut will eventually dry up.
gardengems thanked cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
gardengems
Original Author
4 years ago
@cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5 Did you see where I circled, where I plan to cut? On the small side shoot flowers it's easy to see that they are flower shoots. on the large/central flower the stem appears to come directly or be a continuation of the base of the plant, so I don't want to cut off too much of the the main plant.
Andrew (UK south coast, like 9a)
4 years ago
Cut it where you want. It’s a terminal flower spike so that branch won’t grow anymore but will hopefully produce some offsets from below your cut. So it depends on how much you want to create new plants. If you’re not interested in propagating it, cut it close to the base as already suggested.
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
4 years ago
Yes, now I do. You can cut it where you circled, or even lower. Those lateral leaves could be used to start new plants, if you need a low-energy project, so the entire stalk could be removed if you want.
gardengems thanked cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
ewwmayo
4 years ago
You can cut an inch or two above the highest junction. The flower stem will dry out and you can eventually pull it out with some force. These always branch after flowering.
gardengems thanked ewwmayo
gardengems
Original Author
4 years ago
I cut it. It's done for now. I will cut it all the way back when the side shoots are done flowering.

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