When does the leaf cactus need to be cut?
The leaf cactus is often grown as a traffic light plant because the long leaf limbs hang down very decoratively. Longer shoots are definitely welcome. It is therefore not necessary to cut a leaf cactus. However, you can always crop it to:
- shorten protruding shoots
- To remove what has faded
- to cut old and diseased shoots
- Obtaining cuttings for propagation
also read
- Propagate leaf cactus from cuttings or from seeds
- Hibernate leaf cactus light and cooler
- Proper care for different types of leaf cactus
Shorten protruding, diseased and old shoots
When there is little light, the shoots of the leaf cactus sometimes become very long and thin. You should cut such shoots. You can also remove very long drooping branches that disturb the overall appearance of a traffic light plant. Shoots that are dry or very old can also be shortened at any time.
You can prune at any time, only during the winter should you limit such maintenance measures to the bare minimum.
To cut leaf cacti, use sharp knives that you have cleaned beforehand. This prevents diseases, bacteria or fungi from being transmitted to the leaf cactus.
Cut off dead flowers
When the flowers of the leaf cactus have faded, they rob the plant of unnecessary strength. It is therefore worthwhile to always cut what has faded in the same way.
Some Types of leaf cacti are even stimulated to a second bloom by removing dead blooms. You will then enjoy your leaf cactus even longer.
Cut cuttings for propagation
The leaf cactus can be easily self-cutted using cuttings multiply. To do this, you just need to cut healthy, sufficiently long shoots.
The best time to cut cuttings is in spring or summer.
Let the interfaces dry out for at least a day. Then put the cuttings in prepared pots with a mixture of garden soil and sand.
Tips
The leaf cactus does not tolerate anything frost. It has to be kept cooler in winter, otherwise it little blooms or no flowers at all.
