Know how cut the yucca It is essential to ensure that we do not damage the plant when doing so. The easiest way to do this is from the trunk, but it is important to be clear about how to do it and when is the best time.
To keep your plant healthy and encourage greater growth, it is important to understand some basic notions about pruning.
Why do we have to cut the cassava?
Cassava is one of the most popular indoor plants, because in addition to being pretty, it is not very demanding in terms of care. However, in order for it to grow well, we must be careful to prune it at the right time. We can do this cut for different reasons.
Aesthetic and shape reasons
Cassava can grow quite considerably, and cutting the main stem is one of the best ways to control its height and width. In addition, this pruning helps us to create a more compact and dense plant with multiple branches.
Health reasons
Sometimes we are forced to cut down our cassava because its health is compromised.
Pruning can be a good solution if a part of the plant is sick or damaged. This way we reduce the risk of the disease spreading to other healthy parts.
With the pests Something similar happens. If the infestation is very large, the easiest thing to do is to cut off the affected part and thereby eliminate most of the insects.
There are times when the main stem leans too much by the weight of the plant or is weakened due to factors such as a lack of nutrients. If this happens to you, one of the best solutions to strengthen the cassava is to cut it.
Reasons for spread
If you want to have more specimens at home, then you have to cut the yuca. If you make a cut in the stem and you plant the cuttings, In no time at all you will be enjoying new plants.
When to cut the yucca by the trunk?
Although this is an operation that we can carry out at any time if it is for health reasons, if you can wait, it is best to do it at late winter or early spring.
At that time the cassava begins to emerge from its dormant period and enters the active growth phase, which implies that it has more energy to recover after pruning.
In addition, this way we avoid the plant suffering additional stress. If you leave it for the summer, when temperatures are higher and the need for water is greater, the plant may have problems recovering after pruning.
If you are cutting to obtain new specimens, if you do it in spring you have a better chance of the cuttings taking hold.
If possible, do not prune during the fall and winter, as this can excessively weaken the yucca.
How to cut yucca by the trunk?
The first thing is to prepare the necessary tools, which in this case are:
- A sharp, clean knife that has been disinfected.
- Pruning shears, in case you need to make larger or more difficult cuts.
The procedure you have to follow to obtain good results is the following:
Choose the cut
Decide which part of the trunk you are going to remove. Pay attention to whether there is any section that is damaged or diseased, because it is the first thing you should remove.
Make a clean cut
Using a knife or scissors, make a clean, straight cut. above a node.
The nodes are the points from which the leaves sprout and from which the new branches will emerge.
We recommend that you Don't cut more than necessaryIf you cut your plant too much, you will eventually weaken it.
Let the wound dry
The wound may be a entry point for infections, so you have to let it dry for a few days before watering the plant again. This also reduces the risk of the yucca rotting.
Location
After pruning, the plant needs time to recover, and you may notice some signs of stress.
To help recovery, place the pot in a bright place, but where the yucca do not receive direct light.
When it is time to water, do so sparingly, allowing the substrate to dry out between waterings.
Tips for having a healthy and beautiful cassava
You already know how to cut yucca, now we are going to go over some essential care tips so that your plant always looks its best:
location and light
The best place for your plant is one where it receives a good amount of direct sunlight for several hours a day. If you have it indoors, the ideal is to place the pot in front of a window facing south or west.
Irrigation
Don't overwater or you'll end up damaging the roots. Allow the substrate to dry out slightly between waterings to know when it's time to water again.
Generally speaking, it is sufficient to Water once a week during the hottest periods and every 10 or 15 days during the winter.
Substratum
Provide the cassava with a substrate light and well drained, so that it does not become waterlogged. You can use a universal substrate and then add a little perlite to improve drainage. But you can also use a specific substrate for cacti and succulents, which does not accumulate moisture.
Transplant
This plant grows quickly when properly cared for, so it is normal to transplant it. every two or three yearsHowever, if you see that the roots have already filled the entire pot, you may have to make the change sooner than expected.
Cut the yuca
You can regularly remove dry and damaged leaves to keep the plant looking healthy. As we have seen, you can also cut the trunk to control its size or propagate it.
Cutting cassava is simple, you just have to be careful to do it well and at the right time.