How to prune Dracaena reflexa? Illustrated guide to cutting old leaves, yellow leaves and overly dense branches

Growing Techniques Jan 1, 1970 0 views

Dracaena reflexa is familiar to everyone; it is the most common foliage plant in homes, with a sturdy, handsome form, elegant and graceful leaves, and unusually refined foliage that stays green all year round. However, if you want Dracaena reflexa to look beautiful, in addition to routine care, timely pruning is also very important. So how do you prune Dracaena reflexa?

I. How to prune Dracaena reflexa

In daily life, for the sake of Dracaena reflexa's beauty, we often prune it. However, Dracaena reflexa has a certain perennial-root nature and can grow new branches from the roots, so its plant shape is generally good. Therefore, how to prune Dracaena reflexa is mainly based on shaping; simply cut off yellow leaves, old leaves and overly dense branches.

II. Illustrated guide to the pruning methods for Dracaena reflexa

(1) Purpose of pruning

For newly planted Dracaena reflexa, pruning is not needed. However, as it slowly grows, after more than a year, we need to prune it in order to remove diseased and weak branches, increase its tillering, and encourage more branching. After pruning in this way, Dracaena reflexa can become more beautiful.

(2) Pruning tips

1. Determine the branches to prune

Pruning Dracaena reflexa is generally carried out from April to June. Two weeks before pruning, everyone should water normally and apply fertilizer to the shallow layer of the potting soil. After that, carefully observe the entire canopy of the Dracaena reflexa and determine the branches to prune: those whose growth differs from other branches, whose top leaves are small and weak, and which have grown slowly over the past month.

After determining the branches that need to be cut, cut them off immediately. The specific pruning method is as follows: use sterilized scissors to cut 6-8 cm from the branch tip. After cutting, it is best to wrap and seal the cut with adhesive tape (to prevent water loss and avoid harm to the plant).

Extension: If you feel it is a pity to throw away the cut branches, you can use water propagation to grow new branches. Method: place the cut branches in a container filled with water, change the water once every two days, and after root buds appear, only add water without changing it. Once the root buds have grown very strong, plant them in potting soil, and afterward care for them according to the cultivation methods for Dracaena reflexa.

2. Shaping

After pruning Dracaena reflexa, everyone should use plastic string to fix, pull and shape the entire canopy. How exactly to pull depends on personal preference, as long as it does not harm the plant. After that, move the potted Dracaena reflexa to a place without direct sunlight, and once the pruning wounds have dried thoroughly, it can be placed in a regularly bright, indirectly lit place for growing.

3. Repotting and pruning

When repotting in spring, everyone can also prune Dracaena reflexa. At this time, pruning mainly means cutting off yellow leaves, old leaves and overly dense branches. Because Dracaena reflexa is relatively tolerant of pruning, flower enthusiasts should not be afraid of pruning it badly during the process; as long as the method is appropriate, you can prune out a very beautiful Dracaena reflexa.

How to prune Dracaena reflexa? The pruning methods for Dracaena reflexa

Dracaena reflexa is a relatively widely planted plant with a fairly high survival rate and simple care methods, so how do you prune Dracaena reflexa during its growth process? Next, the editor will introduce the pruning methods for Dracaena reflexa in detail to help everyone grow Dracaena reflexa better.

When is the best time to prune Dracaena reflexa?

April to June is the best season for pruning and shaping Dracaena reflexa.

Tools/materials for pruning Dracaena reflexa:

Dracaena reflexa over one year old, 1 pair of floral scissors, 1 packet of long-acting controlled-release fertilizer, 1 roll of adhesive tape, 1 watertight container, 1 roll of plastic string.

Pruning methods for Dracaena reflexa:

1. Prune Dracaena reflexa that is more than one year old and growing well, in order to adjust the plant shape, cut off diseased and weak branches, increase tillering, encourage more branching, manage growth, and make the Dracaena reflexa canopy more beautiful. Two weeks before deciding to prune Dracaena reflexa, apply fertilizer to the shallow layer of the potting soil and water normally.

2. Observe the entire canopy of the Dracaena reflexa and determine the branches to prune. It is best to prune those whose growth is obviously poorer than other branches, whose top branches and leaves are small and weak, and which have grown slowly over the past month, affecting the overall canopy shape.

3. Use scissors to cut the Dracaena reflexa branch 6 to 8 cm from the branch tip. After cutting, wrap and seal the cut with adhesive tape, in order to prevent water loss from the Dracaena reflexa and reduce harm to the plant.

4. The cut branches can be used to grow new branches by water propagation. The method is to place the cut Dracaena reflexa branches in a container, fill it with water, and at first change the water once every two days. After root buds appear, only add water without changing it, until the buds emerge completely and strongly, then plant them in potting soil.

5. Use plastic string to fix, pull and shape the entire canopy. This step can be designed and guided according to personal preferred shape, as long as it does not harm the Dracaena reflexa plant.

6. Move the flowerpot to a place without direct sunlight, and once the pruning wounds have dried thoroughly, it can be placed in a regular location for growing.

Precautions

The purpose of fertilizing before pruning is to increase the number of tillers on Dracaena reflexa after pruning. Fertilizer must not be applied in excess, otherwise it is easy to kill the seedlings.

Pruning methods for Dracaena reflexa

Dracaena reflexa is somewhat prunable, but beginner friends often delay and dare not start because they lack experience and are afraid of pruning it badly. In fact, Dracaena reflexa is relatively tolerant of pruning. If fertilizer and water management can be appropriately increased after pruning, it can ensure that the newly grown branches and leaves are even better.

Dracaena reflexa

The form of every pot of Dracaena reflexa is different, so there is no way to tell flower enthusiasts exactly how to prune, but flower enthusiasts can freely use their creativity, because as we said earlier, Dracaena reflexa can be pruned and is tolerant of pruning, so there is no need to be afraid of pruning it badly. Of course, to be safe, flower enthusiasts can first try pruning one branch.

Of course, if pruning is done for the purpose of cuttings, it is best carried out in spring. Cut off side branches with stem tips, insert them in clean coarse river sand, water thoroughly, cover with a plastic bag, keep the substrate moist, and place in a bright indoor spot. They can take root in about 25 days, or insert the cut side branches into water; at 25°C they can take root in about half a month.