When is the right time to prune the keel?

Keel pruning effect

When the dragon bone flower grows to a certain size, it can be pruned and shaped. No matter how high the dragon bone grows, it has evenly distributed branches at the bottom, which supports it and prevents it from appearing top-heavy. It also has many side branches and is lush and green.

Keel trimming time

Dragon bones grow fast and have strong adaptability to the environment. Their management requirements are not strict. You can leave branches or prune them according to your own wishes, but do not prune too much each time. It is best to wait until it grows to more than half a meter before shaping and pruning it.

How many times should the keel be pruned?

There is no fixed time for pruning dragon bone flowers. Pruning can be done at any time. Dragon bone flowers like warm environment and are best pruned in spring from March to May. The plant grows fast in spring and new buds will grow soon after pruning.

Propagation by keel cuttings

Dragon bone pruning propagation is generally carried out in spring and autumn, specifically in May-June in spring and September in autumn, and the survival rate is very high.

Keel trimming method

When the dragon bone grows to 20-30 cm, it can be topped and pinched, and the wound should be sealed immediately with wood ash. After it grows branches, keep 2-3 branches at the top and trim off the rest.

When the second layer grows to 25-30 cm, pinch and top it again. After the branches grow out, still choose three branches. When the keel plant is 2 to 3 meters high, there will be more branches, which can easily cause top-heavy instability, so a frame should be set up in time to fix it.

Notes on keel trimming

When pruning the dragon bones, do not get them dirty with the flowing liquid, as it may cause discomfort, so it is best to wear gloves when pruning. In order to keep the dragon bones alive, pay attention to regular pruning, cut off the old branches that are difficult to bloom, and also remove the weak buds to promote the growth of the top buds and make more flowers bloom.