What to do if succulents grow too tall

Beheading = removing the terminal buds

First of all, let’s do some scientific research. “Beheading” is actually “picking off the top buds” in crop production, which is called “apical dominance” in botany. During the growth and development of plants, there is a close relationship between the apical buds and the lateral buds. When the apical bud grows vigorously, it will inhibit the growth of lateral buds. If for some reason the top bud stops growing, some lateral buds will grow rapidly. This phenomenon of preferential growth of the apical bud and inhibition of the development of lateral buds is called "apical dominance". Therefore, if you remove the top bud, many side buds will naturally emerge. This is also the quickest way to solve the problem of succulents growing too tall and turn one plant into multiple plants.

Let's take a look at the schematic diagram drawn by the editor:

The solution to the overgrown succulent plants: three steps to beheading

first step

Select the location where you want to cut off the head and cut it.

Step 2

Remove 2 to 4 leaves at the base of the cut head to make it easier for the cut head to take root in the soil. Leave the base of the cut head in the original pot without moving. After pruning, place the roots in a ventilated place to dry.

Step 3

Insert the healed head into new soil and it will regain its compact beauty. The broken leaves are used for leaf cuttings, and each leaf gives birth to a new life. After beheading, the old roots will send out many side branches and form multiple heads because the apical dominance is removed.

Since the succulents in my house are all very beautiful and have not grown leggy, there is no actual step-by-step diagram. I chose this beheading step diagram. Students who don’t understand the diagram above can look at the actual picture again:

Precautions

Removing the leaves at the bottom of the branch cuttings can effectively reduce the chance of wound rot.

When a succulent plant is beheaded, do not let the wound come into contact with anything and wait for it to heal.

After cutting off the head, place it in a glass container to root. A container that is too large may cause the lower end of the multi-headed paper strips to curl. There is no need to water, the humidity of the air in the container is completely sufficient.

Look, after beheading, not only can the ugly flesh be reshaped, but more flesh can also be obtained, killing two birds with one stone!