Desert Rose Pruning and Shaping Methods

1. Pruning time

The best time to shape the desert rose is after the flowering period. Only then can you see which parts affect the appearance and need to be cut off.

2. Pruning method

1. Remove the terminal buds

The purpose of removing the terminal buds is to inhibit its growth and make the branches grow evenly. If some branches are very long and some are very short, it will look unsightly. If the terminal buds are not removed, the purpose of shaping will be lost.

2. Remove side branches

If the desert rose has too many side branches, it can easily lead to nutrient deficiency or nutrient imbalance, so the extra side branches should be removed. The purpose is to concentrate the nutrients and make the plant grow more beautiful.

3. Prune the main branches

Prune the extra side buds on the main branch, leaving only three or four side buds on the main branch, in order to highlight the shape of the main branch and make the shape of the desert rose better looking.

4. Prune diseased branches

This step is critical. All diseased and broken branches on the desert rose must be removed to prevent the bacteria from spreading to healthy branches.

3. Notes

It is best to use sterilized small blades as pruning tools, because using a blade can make the cut of the branch smoother than using pruning shears. If the cut is smooth, less water will be retained in the cut of the plant, which is beneficial to the recovery of the plant. You cannot water the plant immediately after pruning because there are cuts, and watering it right after pruning can easily cause infection. It is best to wait until the cut of the plant is dry and scarred before watering.