Complete Tutorial on Root Pruning and Beheading Propagation Methods for Succulent Plants

  As people's living standards improve, more and more people like to grow some green plants at home, adding a touch of green to the household and allowing them to enjoy the vitality of plants without leaving home. But now the balcony area of buildings is limited, and very large plants take up too much space. Moreover, many office workers are busy all day and rarely have time to care for their beloved plants. Ordinary plants have relatively high light requirements, and the spacing between buildings is generally very close, so the time when light reaches them each day is very short. This causes many plants to grow poorly due to poor light and poor ventilation. They also have relatively large water requirements, and a slight lapse in attention can cause death from lack of water. At this time, a type of plant known as the “lazy person's plant” - succulents and other succulent plants - entered people's view.

  Spring is the season when all things revive, and it is also a golden season for succulent propagation. Everyone knows that succulent propagation can be achieved through sowing, leaf cuttings, root cuttings, beheading, and so on, but many flower enthusiasts do not have a deep understanding of beheading propagation. Below, the editor will sort it out for all flower enthusiasts.

  I. What Is Beheading Propagation

  Beheading refers to the process of artificially cutting off a plant's growth point. Beheading is a propagation method for succulents. Beheading is also one of the shaping methods for succulents. Through beheading, leggy succulents can be encouraged to sprout side shoots, and succulents that have lost their ornamental value can gain new life. Beheading is also an important treatment method for succulents. Through beheading, the transmission of pathogens can be blocked and healthy tissue can be rescued.

  II. Specific Steps for Beheading

  1. For leggy plants that need beheading, first let the leggy plant receive a period of normal light so that the leggy growth at the growth point is inhibited, and then proceed with beheading. For those that need propagation, the plant should at least be allowed to establish itself in the pot before beheading, in order to increase the side shoot sprouting rate and survival rate of the base. For rescuing plants, there are no restrictions.

  2. For beheading due to legginess and beheading for propagation, a certain amount of leaves should be retained on the base to increase the number of side shoots that sprout and their growth. For genera such as Aeonium with thick stems and leaves that grow only in clusters at the growth point, the cut can be made close to the leaf base.

  3. Except for rescuing plants, beheading should be carried out on sunny days and during the growing season. The resulting wound can be covered with fungicide powder or sulfur powder to avoid secondary infection.

  4. For rescue-type beheading, the diseased tissue should be completely separated. Cut as much as possible into the healthy tissue. After cutting, the wound should be thoroughly dried before the next step of cuttings.

  III. Outline for Beheading a Single Plant