Crown of Thorns Cutting Propagation Methods and Pruning Tips

Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii) is a fairly common flowering plant. Its flowers generally grow at the tips of the branches, very delicate and beautiful, with high ornamental value, so many people keep a pot of Crown of Thorns on balconies, windowsills and other places at home to accent their living environment. Its propagation methods are generally cuttings and tissue culture. Now follow along with the editor to learn how to correctly take cuttings of Crown of Thorns.

Crown of Thorns Cutting Propagation Methods

1. Cutting medium

The medium is the soil. For home cuttings it is very hard to find an ideal cutting medium. It is recommended to use soil that has already been mixed and sterilized, so the cuttings can grow in a sterile environment. Alternatively, use coarse sand, but rinse it several times with clean water before use. River sand from saline-alkali areas should not be used, as it is not conducive to the plant's growth.

2. Cutting branches

In early spring or late autumn, choose a day when the midday temperature does not exceed 28°C and the nighttime temperature is not lower than 15°C. From late spring to early autumn, when temperatures are higher, the cuttings rot very easily, so it is best not to take cuttings then.

3. Cutting method

Cut off a branch with 3-4 leaves, place it in a shady spot to let the wound dry, (be careful not to get pricked by the thorns during handling) insert it into the soil, then mist the branch. As long as the soil is not too dry or too wet, the plant will quickly grow roots.

4. Care after cutting

1. If you only took one cutting, there is no need to pot it up. If you took several cuttings, you need to move the young plants into flower pots. When the plant has grown 2-3 leaves, pull it up with its roots and plant it in a flower pot. Then place the pot in a shady spot for care. The purpose is to let it acclimate to the pot and adapt to the new environment as quickly as possible.

2. After 2-3 weeks, you can place the plant in the sun for care, and try to keep the environment well ventilated. Pay attention to watering: in spring and autumn, do not water if the potting soil is not dry; water as appropriate, usually once every 3-4 days. During the flowering period, do not water too much, otherwise it easily causes flowers to drop and roots to rot. In summer, when temperatures are higher, water once a day. Small Crown of Thorns plants are also very sturdy; as long as they grow leaves and roots, just care for them the same as normal plants.

3. Fertilizing should start in late May. According to the size of the plant, fertilize an appropriate amount, just enough to meet its growth needs. If fertilizer is replenished in time, Crown of Thorns will grow quickly and can bloom in 2-3 years!

How to Prune the Branches and Leaves of Crown of Thorns

1. Timing

Do it after flowering, in June-July. Cut off diseased branches, leggy branches and weak branches. Gardeners can use the pruned branches for cuttings to propagate new Crown of Thorns potted plants.

2. Pruning method

Young Crown of Thorns seedlings: pruning should aim to form a framework as early as possible, but do not prune too excessively. When the seedling grows to 10 cm, you can cut off part of the top branch to encourage side branches. Later, when the side branches have grown to a certain height again, cut off the branch tips again to encourage more side branches and form the basic skeleton of branches.

Once the seedling has grown 4-5 branches, you can shape it, tying it into a ball shape, a flower screen, a flower basket, etc. Properly guide the branches and coil and tie them so they grow in the desired direction. You should know that after this period it will be very difficult to fix the shape.

A fully formed Crown of Thorns: apart from the occasional branch that stands out and ruins the shape, you can generally prune lightly or not at all, and just pay attention to properly coiling and shaping it. If you still want the branches to send out new shoots, bend the branch in the opposite direction and tie it; new shoots will quickly grow at the tie.

Why Crown of Thorns Does Not Bloom

1. Lighting problems

Crown of Thorns likes a sunny environment and needs plenty of sunlight all year round, otherwise it easily leads to the phenomenon of growing only leaves and no flowers. If you want Crown of Thorns to bloom, light is essential, but when the weather is continuously rainy, you can choose to use a fluorescent lamp.

2. Water and fertilizer problems

Crown of Thorns is drought-tolerant, and the potting soil should preferably be on the dry side; too much moisture causes leggy branches. It is not strict about fertilizer, but the phosphorus and potassium fertilizer needed for flowering is essential. If phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is lacking and there is too much nitrogen fertilizer, the plant will also not bloom. So before flowering, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, appropriately control the fertilizer strength, and keep nutrients sufficient.

3. Pruning problems

If you want more flowers, you must give it proper pruning to increase the number of new branches; fewer branches means fewer flowers. It is best to shorten the thin, weak and uneven branches every year in June to July; then two branches will grow from the cut, and when the branches grow to 5-6 cm, they can bloom.

How to Control the Flowering Period of Crown of Thorns

1. Environmental control

1. Regarding watering and fertilizing: during the growth period, providing sufficient water and suitable fertilizer will make it bloom earlier. During its flowering period, adjusting the soil moisture to a moderate level can keep it blooming continuously.

2. Regarding temperature: in winter, do not put Crown of Thorns outdoors; long periods of low temperature will prolong the flowering period. If the temperature is kept above 15°C, you can to a certain extent achieve an earlier flowering period and continuous blooming.

2. Technical control

1. Growth regulators: for regulating the flowering period, plant growth regulators are the most effective method. The gibberellin commonly sold on the market can achieve the regulatory purpose. Apply gibberellin to the flower buds once every two days; the number of days of application depends on the flowering period you want to regulate. Generally, about 40 days of treatment can advance the flowering period by 50 days.

2. Pruning branches and leaves: whether Crown of Thorns can bloom can basically be determined by the plant's content of needed nutrients. As long as the ratio of nutrients is greater than that of other minerals, it can continue to bloom. So timely pruning of overly dense leaves and old leaves, so that nutrients concentrate in the flower buds, can also have a certain effect on regulating the flowering period.

Crown of Thorns is relatively easy to grow. Its flowers are brightly colored and highly ornamental, so in recent years Crown of Thorns has gradually become a darling of the houseplant world. Friends who like it can try it out according to the methods introduced by the editor above.