Cut back? Replace?
Bob F
2 years ago
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years agoRelated Discussions
when to cut back a cut back spike
Comments (2)Generally the advice is to cut the spikes off at the base on complex hybrids. But seeing this orchid is half violacea the best thing to do is to let the plant do its thing. You will know when to cut the spike down to the base when the spikes become unsightly with many flower scars and are no longer things of beauty. Just wondering how this orchid will turn out because the parents of Cassandra are equestris and stuartiana. I cut the spikes down to the base on equestris and do not cut the stalled spikes on violacea because the plant will flower again from stalled spikes in my conditions when summer arrives. Do not know anything about stuartiana. No doubt someone will come up will the usual if its brown cut it down stuff which probably applies in this case but doesn't apply to many hybrids....See MoreDo Rhododendron Back Bud When Cut Back.
Comments (2)Growth buds on rhododendrons form in the leaf axils (where leaf joins stem). If you make a cut just above a rosette of leaves, new growth will emerge from the dormant eyes there. If cutting into a branch below any leaf rosettes, look for faint rings on the bark which mark the ends of previous growth periods where there once were leaves. Careful inspection should reveal small bumps which are growth buds under the bark. Make your cuts just about the rings and dormant buds below them should be stimulated into growth. If you can't find any rings or dormant buds on bare branches, make your cuts where you must, after, when new growth starts, remove stubs down to new growth. Azaleas however, have dormant growth buds all along the stems just under the bark......See Moreupdate-giant jade cutting-new roots-cut back?
Comments (12)There is lots of variability in leaf morphology with "Jade plants". By the way, let's try to be a little more scientific and call them by the real name, Crassula portulacea I think is the current name, but C argentea and C ovata are perfectly acceptable synonyms. Anyway, were the leaves ever different? Maybe they're not supposed to be plump. Crassula arborescens ssp undulatifolia looks similar, with flattened but pointier leaves. This group of plants are in active growth when days are warm and sunny, with cool evenings. They can be pruned anytime during these conditions, which for most of us is spring and fall. Where to cut is a matter of taste and how you want your plant to look. Right above a node is safe. Too close and you may damage any meristematic tissue. Leave a little extra, it can always be trimmed back later. I believe pruning at the same time as repotting is safe, it will reduce the plants water needs during the initial stress of root-shock. Overall, Crassulas are very tough plants and you can probably ignore most of my advice and the results will be good anyway. The only definite thing is not to do anything when they are dormant at the height of summer heat and in the depths of the winter doldrums....See MoreTime to cut back and propagate the cuttings?
Comments (5)Sorry.. wrong. Hibiscus are generally easy to root. And easy to root plants sometimes root in water. But having said that... water is never the best way to root anything, it's only the easiest for some people. Cut semi hardwood shoots, 4 to 6 inches, partially defoliate, dip in IBA talc or solution, and stick in perlite peat mix, keep in humid environment, most root in 30 days or so. Fall is not the best time for hibiscus cuttings in my experience, but you should get decent results anyway becasue they are so easy. I think people tend to prune in fall in zones where they are not fully hardy to make protecting them easier. Best practice for the plant is probably spring. Pruning generally encourages new growth. But again, plant is pretty tough shrub so knock yourself out....See MoreBob F
2 years agocearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
2 years agoBob F
2 years agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
2 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoBob F
2 years ago
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cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)