How to prune Desert Rose

1. Pruning time

The time for pruning is generally chosen after the flowering period, because after the flowering period, its demand for nutrients is not as great as during the flowering period, and its condition has begun to stabilize. Therefore, this is the best time to observe the plant and determine which branches need to be pruned.

2. Pruning Methods

When pruning it, you must first remove the top buds to prevent the nutrients from becoming unbalanced. If some branches continue to grow wildly, other branches will lack nutrients. Therefore, removing the terminal buds is a necessary step in pruning. Then remove the side buds. The purpose of removing the side buds is to make the nutrients more concentrated and prevent them from being taken away by excess side branches. Finally, what needs to be removed are the broken and diseased branches. If the branches of the Desert Rose show signs of disease and cannot be cured, the diseased branches must be cut off in time to avoid infection and affect the healthy branches.

3. Notes

It is best to use a sterilized knife for pruning, so that the cut will be smoother and help the plant recover. Do not water the plant after pruning. Wait until the cut is dry before watering to avoid infection of the cut that may affect the health of the plant. The plant cannot be exposed to the sun after pruning, as it will cause too much stimulation to the incision. It should be exposed to the sun after the scar has formed. Moreover, the time of sun exposure cannot be the same as that during normal cultivation. It should be done slowly, with more sunlight per day, until it returns to normal light.