Content
- Cutting leaf cactus - When is cutting necessary?
- When does the leaf cactus have to be cut?
- Cut off protruding, sick and old shoots
- Cut off faded flowers
- Cut cuttings for propagation
- Tips
If the flower is cut off, it can stimulate a second flowering
Cutting leaf cactus - When is cutting necessary?
Basically, the leaf cactus does not have to be cut at all. If you have enough space, just let it grow. Only the faded flowers you should cut the same. In some species, this will promote a second flowering.
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The leaf cactus is often pulled as a traffic light plant, because the long leaf limbs hang very decorative. Longer shoots are quite desirable. It is therefore not necessary to cut a leaf cactus. You can crop it at any time to:
Cut off protruding, sick and old shoots
In low light, the shoots of the leaf cactus sometimes become very long and thin. Such shoots should be cut gently. Even very long hanging branches, which disturb the overall picture of a traffic light plant, you may remove. Shoots that are dry or very old can also be cut at any time.
You can cut at any time, only during the winter time you should limit such care to the bare minimum.
To cut leaf cacti, use sharp knives that you have previously cleaned. This prevents diseases, bacteria or fungi from being transmitted to the leaf cactus.
Cut off faded flowers
When the flowers of the leaf cactus have withered, they unnecessarily rob the plant of power. It is therefore worthwhile to always cut the blooms the same.
Some species of leaf cacti are stimulated by the removal of faded flowers even to a second flower. You will enjoy your leaf cactus even longer.
Cut cuttings for propagation
The leaf cactus can be multiplied well over cuttings. For this you only need to cut healthy, long shoots.
The best time to cut cuttings is spring or summer.
Allow the interfaces to dry for at least one day. Then put the cuttings in prepared pots with a mixture of garden soil and sand.
Tips
The leaf cactus does not tolerate frost. It must be kept cooler in winter, otherwise it will bloom less or develop no flowers at all.